AI Summary: Nina Beguš’s book, *Artificial Humanities: A Fictional Perspective on Language in AI*, argues that the relationship between literature and artificial intelligence is foundational, with literary narratives shaping the ambitions and directions of AI development. She traces the influence of the Pygmalion myth on both technologists and writers, suggesting that this cultural narrative has historically informed the design and expectations of AI systems, particularly in the realm of language. Beguš emphasizes that the social meanings attached to AI's voice and functionality are deeply rooted in historical and gendered contexts, challenging the notion that AI's anthropomorphic qualities are a recent phenomenon. Additionally, she advocates for a broader understanding of AI that includes its nonhuman dimensions, moving beyond the traditional focus on human likeness in intelligent systems.
No. 2 · Computer Science
24/30
Editors’ Choice: Are “Vintage LLMs” the start of a new humanistic field?
· 05/13/2026
AI Summary: The article introduces the emerging field of 'Historical Language Models' (Vintage LLMs), highlighting the release of the Talkie-1930 model on April 27. The author posits that language models can be viewed as historical texts, emphasizing the inherent historical context within LLMs. The post discusses potential applications for historical LLMs and ranks their effectiveness for research purposes, while clarifying that these models should complement rather than replace traditional engagement with primary historical sources.
Topics:
Large Language ModelsHistorical Language ModelsModel Effectiveness RankingPrimary Source Engagement
AI Rubric Scores +
Research Relevance
4
Educational Value
3
Innovation/Novelty
5
Practical Impact
4
Interdisciplinary Potential
5
Ethical/Policy Implications
3