A study reveals how readers confuse Shakespeare’s poems with those generated by AI
- The study showed that participants failed to correctly differentiate between poems written by humans and those generated by AI only 46% of the time.
- AI-generated poems were appreciated more for their simplicity and clarity, compared to the complex styles of human poets.
- The results of the study raise questions about the future of poetry, but some experts believe that AI can coexist with human poets, offering a different literary experience.
A study reveals how readers confuse Shakespeare’s poems with those generated by AI
A recent study reveals that artificial intelligence (AI), specifically OpenAI’s ChatGPT-3.5, can generate poems that accurately mimic the styles of famous poets such as William Shakespeare, Walt Whitman, and Sylvia Plath, to the point that readers experience difficulties in differentiating human verses from those generated by AI, he writes Smithsonian Magazine.
The research, published in Scientific Reports, involved 1,634 participants who read poems written by human poets and AI-generated versions. Participants only managed to correctly identify the perpetrators about 46% of the time, which is only slightly better than random guessing.
In a second experiment, 696 participants rated poems on various qualities, such as rhythm and originality. Some were informed that the poems were written by AI, while others thought they were reading works by human poets. Interestingly, the group that did not learn about the authors of the poems tended to evaluate the AI-generated poems more favorably. This suggests that AI poems might be preferred for their simplicity and clarity. Unlike human poets, who often use complex structures and unconventional techniques, AI-generated poems are clear and direct, making them easier to understand and appreciate for inexperienced readers.
One possible reason for the preference for AI-generated poetry could be that modern readers are drawn to simpler, more accessible works that quickly convey emotions and themes. While human poetry often requires deep thought and interpretation, AI poetry offers “instant answers” without cognitive effort, which could appeal to readers looking for an immediate emotional connection.
The results of the study have raised concerns about the possibility of AI replacing human artists, but some, such as poet Dorothea Lasky, see the bright side: as long as people enjoy poetry, it doesn’t matter who creates it. The study highlights the growing influence of AI in creative fields, proving that both human and robot poets have a place in today’s literary world.
Source: www.mediafax.ro
