New Trends in Literature and AI-Driven Transformations in Language Studies-Seminar

 Greetings everyone!

On 21 September 2024, I participated in a virtual seminar on "New Trends in Literature and AI-Driven Transformations in Language Studies," organized by the School of Social Sciences and Language Studies, Department of English, Vellore University of Technology.

One of the key takeaways from the seminar is that while we are all vulnerable, not everyone is helpless. This is because there are different factors and types of vulnerability that affect us in various ways.

The seminar had four insightful sessions. As usual, Prof. Pramod Nair delivered an impressive and enlightening lecture titled "Posthumanism and Precarity," which really caught my attention. Other remarkable sessions included:

Dr. Shobha K N, who spoke on "AI and Language Studies"

Dr. C G Shamala, who presented on "AI and Digital Humanities"

Dr. Candy D'Cunha, who discussed "Eco-Narratives: Storytelling's Role in Shaping Environmental Awareness"

During Prof. Nair’s session, he emphasized the complexity of vulnerability and how it is shaped by various forces around us. He also touched on "speciesism," a term coined by Richard Ryder, which refers to the bias that favors the interests of one's own species over others. According to Ryder, this attitude often leads humans to believe they have the right to exploit other species for their own benefit.

Types of Vulnerability:

1. Intrinsic Vulnerability: This type of vulnerability is inherent to being human. Our bodies, made of blood and nerves, are susceptible to injury and disease. Aging, natural disasters, and health issues can all contribute to our vulnerability.

2. Shared Vulnerability: We share vulnerability with others in many ways:We share our identity with others in social and cultural contexts. We share a physical ecosystem with other humans, animals, and plants.

We share institutions and practices, such as law, government, and the economy, which can either protect or expose us to risk.

Human Vulnerability and Control:

Prof. Nair also highlighted how our vulnerability is shaped by structures of power, including the state, corporate institutions, and economic systems. These structures—through mechanisms like insurance, healthcare, and legal systems—exist to reduce our collective vulnerability.

Vulnerability Beyond Humans:

We are not the only beings who are vulnerable. Plants and animals also experience vulnerability in their own ways. This brings us to an important ethical question: How should we treat other species? Should we exploit them for our benefit, or recognize their vulnerabilities and treat them with care?

Biopolitics and Technology:

The session also touched on the concept of biopolitics, which examines how political and social systems control human life. Prof. Nair explained how technology, while highly beneficial, can also be misused. He used examples from literature, such as The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood and Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, to illustrate how human bodies can be exploited when viewed merely as tools for production or reproduction. This raises questions about whether we truly own our bodies, or whether external forces exert control over us.

Ethical Considerations:

We must also be mindful of the limits of our consumption and exploitation of resources—both human and environmental. As Prof. Nair pointed out, no human is an island. We are interconnected with other beings and with the Earth itself, and we must be cautious about how we use the power and technology at our disposal.

In conclusion, while technology and progress are important, we need to ensure that we use them ethically, keeping in mind the vulnerabilities of not just humans, but all living beings. I would be glad to hear your thoughts and insights on these topics.

Thank you!