The Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence hosted creative technologist Ross Goodwin last week to discuss how machine learning and literature intersect. Goodwin, who identifies as a data poet, demonstrated how generative writing systems function as collaborative tools for artists rather than replacements for human thought. Throughout the lecture, he focused on the role of code in creating new forms of expression while illustrating his methods through various projects, including a camera that generates poetry from images and a novel written during a cross-country drive.
Goodwin explained that his work relies on using software to give form to imagination, noting that the word poet comes from a root meaning to make. This etymology allows him to view algorithms as instruments for performance. One project, Word Camera, uses sensors to capture visual data and translate it into verse in real time. Goodwin clarified that these outputs serve as intermediary materials rather than final literary works because the goal involves creating serendipity through the interaction between human observation and machine processing.
The presentation also included details on his experimental novel titled 1 the Road. To create the book, Goodwin traveled from New York to New Orleans in a vehicle equipped with a camera, GPS, and microphone. These sensors fed data into a portable computer that generated text based on the environment as the car moved. The resulting manuscript serves as a document of a journey through the perspective of an algorithmic observer, highlighting the potential for machines to archive experiences in unconventional ways while the human creator remains responsible for the system design.
In addition to creative projects, Goodwin addressed the ethical risks associated with generative technology. He warned against the urge to treat artificial intelligence as human, noting that people often project personal desires onto software. This characterization can lead to a misunderstanding of how these models actually function. Goodwin also expressed concern about the potential for technology to facilitate deception, which led him to encourage designers to maintain a clear distinction between the machine as a tool and the human as the ethical agent.
During the question and answer session, the audience asked about authorship and the ownership of generated content. One student asked how much credit a person should take for a poem produced by a model trained on existing texts. Goodwin replied that ownership scales with the design of the system and the thoughtfulness of the prompts. He stated that if a writer spends time fine-tuning a model, they deserve creative credit. He suggested that society will eventually set new standards for original work in the digital age.
Another attendee asked if artificial intelligence could capture the emotional depth of poetry without having lived experiences. Goodwin acknowledged that machines do not feel, yet he argued they can rearrange language to provoke emotions in a human reader. He described this as a collaboration where the human provides intent and the machine offers a different perspective on vocabulary. “What new outlooks or epiphanies might we unlock by getting creative with this technology?” Goodwin asked during the discussion.
Goodwin concluded by stating that technology acts as “a mirror of its era rather than a stone tablet for the future”. He argued that the most meaningful future for artificial intelligence lies in everyday automation and creative assistance. He encouraged students to imagine non-military applications for these systems to protect the public interest.
~ Stephen Owusu Badu `27
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