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September 29, 2025
Commentary: The novel that turned ChatGPT panic into art
In Rie Qudan’s "Sympathy Tower Tokyo," the protagonist turns to a chatbot dubbed “AI-built” to ask questions about the origin of new Japanese words borrowed from foreign languages. She then gripes about its tendency to “mansplain things I hadn’t actually...
## Commentary: The Novel That Turned ChatGPT Panic Into Art
Rie Qudan's latest novel, "Sympathy Tower Tokyo," isn't just another story – it's a mirror reflecting our anxieties and fascinations with the burgeoning world of artificial intelligence. In a clever twist, Qudan doesn't shy away from the ChatGPT-induced panic that has gripped society; instead, she embraces it, transforming it into a poignant commentary on language, identity, and the evolving relationship between humans and machines.
At the heart of the narrative is a protagonist grappling with the ever-changing landscape of the Japanese language. Faced with a constant influx of new words borrowed from foreign tongues, she turns to an unlikely source for help: an AI chatbot cleverly named "AI-built." This isn't your typical sci-fi depiction of a sentient robot. "AI-built" is, in essence, a stand-in for the large language models that are rapidly becoming integrated into our daily lives.
The novel’s brilliance lies in its subtle exploration of the chatbot's limitations and biases. The protagonist, while seeking clarity on the origins of these new words, finds herself increasingly frustrated with "AI-built's" tendency to "mansplain things I hadn’t actually..." This incomplete thought, left hanging in the description, speaks volumes about the potential for AI to perpetuate existing societal inequalities and power dynamics. It highlights the crucial need for critical engagement with these technologies, rather than blind acceptance.
Qudan's choice to focus on language is particularly insightful. Language is not just a tool for communication; it's a carrier of culture, history, and identity. By exploring the impact of AI on the evolution of language, "Sympathy Tower Tokyo" invites readers to consider the broader implications of AI on our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. The novel doesn’t offer easy answers or dystopian pronouncements. Instead, it provides a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the complex questions raised by the rise of AI, transforming societal anxieties into a compelling and relevant piece of art. It is a timely reminder that technology, in its most advanced forms, is still a reflection of its creators and the society it inhabits.
Rie Qudan's latest novel, "Sympathy Tower Tokyo," isn't just another story – it's a mirror reflecting our anxieties and fascinations with the burgeoning world of artificial intelligence. In a clever twist, Qudan doesn't shy away from the ChatGPT-induced panic that has gripped society; instead, she embraces it, transforming it into a poignant commentary on language, identity, and the evolving relationship between humans and machines.
At the heart of the narrative is a protagonist grappling with the ever-changing landscape of the Japanese language. Faced with a constant influx of new words borrowed from foreign tongues, she turns to an unlikely source for help: an AI chatbot cleverly named "AI-built." This isn't your typical sci-fi depiction of a sentient robot. "AI-built" is, in essence, a stand-in for the large language models that are rapidly becoming integrated into our daily lives.
The novel’s brilliance lies in its subtle exploration of the chatbot's limitations and biases. The protagonist, while seeking clarity on the origins of these new words, finds herself increasingly frustrated with "AI-built's" tendency to "mansplain things I hadn’t actually..." This incomplete thought, left hanging in the description, speaks volumes about the potential for AI to perpetuate existing societal inequalities and power dynamics. It highlights the crucial need for critical engagement with these technologies, rather than blind acceptance.
Qudan's choice to focus on language is particularly insightful. Language is not just a tool for communication; it's a carrier of culture, history, and identity. By exploring the impact of AI on the evolution of language, "Sympathy Tower Tokyo" invites readers to consider the broader implications of AI on our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. The novel doesn’t offer easy answers or dystopian pronouncements. Instead, it provides a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the complex questions raised by the rise of AI, transforming societal anxieties into a compelling and relevant piece of art. It is a timely reminder that technology, in its most advanced forms, is still a reflection of its creators and the society it inhabits.
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Technology