Kuala Lumpur:Talent, sensitivity, and ambition are crucial elements that distinguish the authenticity of human-created literary works from those generated by artificial intelligence (AI), according to 10th National Laureate Datuk Dr Anwar Ridhwan.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Anwar emphasized the inevitability of technological advancement, highlighting the importance of using technology wisely to ensure it does not dominate human lives. He remarked, “We cannot avoid AI, but it is merely a tool... what we get out of it depends on what we put into it,” during an event at the National Library.

The event, the launch and premiere of the Kalam Karyawan 2026 programme, was attended by notable figures including PNM Deputy Director-General Anisatul-Wahidah Abdul Wahid and fellow National Laureates. Dr Anwar stressed the ongoing importance of literature in fostering a virtuous, empathetic, and responsible society, noting that quality literary works should use excellent language and explore meaningful themes.

In his speech, Dr Anwar highlighted the significance of documenting the journeys of literary figures to preserve the nation's intellectual heritage. He advocated for documentaries to capture writers' experiences and help future generations understand the influences behind literary creation, hoping such works would encourage readers to engage with the original texts.

Meanwhile, Anisatul-Wahidah underscored the importance of documenting literary figures' contributions in the digital and AI era for educational and research purposes. She noted that PNM's Special Collections Unit houses 42,759 items from various scholars and cultural figures as of last month. She also mentioned that the Kalam Karyawan programme, which began in 2017, was expanded in 2022 to include documentaries documenting the experiences and creative processes of the nation's literary figures, aimed at encouraging young people to engage with literature.