Technology and human practice
Every breakthrough in technology sparks a story, sometimes of rebellion, sometimes of reinvention. Faced with innovation, we pause to reflect: what do we lose, and what might we gain, when human craft collides with mechanical power?
Consider the Green Revolution of the 1960s. Tractors, pesticides, and high-yield crops promised abundance, yet they also rekindled appreciation for biodiversity, local traditions, and sustainability. Out of this tension grew movements like organic farming and slow food, determined to preserve the virtues of older ways of working. Just as the Green Revolution prompted renewed interest in organic farming, the rise of AI may inspire writers and readers to value human-authored texts more deeply.
This dance between disruption and preservation offers a powerful lens for thinking about artificial intelligence and creative writing today.
What large language models can, and cannot do
Large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek can produce fluent, polished text. At first glance, their output resembles the work of human writers. But this mimicry raises deeper questions:
- Is well-written text enough to satisfy readers?
- What is lost when authorship is dispersed across code and algorithms?
- How does this affect the role of the author themselves?
As Cambridge academic Dr Clementine Collett has asked, these questions go to the heart of what literature means.
Reading as connection
For many readers, literature is not just about words on a page, it is about human connection. Alan Bennett’s The History Boys captures this beautifully:
“The best moments in reading are when you come across something… which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else… and it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours.”
AI may imitate this gesture, but can it truly replicate the human hand that reaches across time and experience? Perhaps its role is not to replace the author, but to serve as a tool guided by the author’s imagination.
The essence of writing
Writing is not simply about ideas, it is about the struggle to articulate them. Joan Didion once said: “I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking.” George Saunders reminds us that artists continually “tweak what they’ve already done.”
This process of drafting, revising, and rethinking is the very essence of writing. Outsourcing it to an LLM risks losing the discovery, nuance, and transformation that come from wrestling with words yourself.
AI and the reaffirmation of human authorship
There are many contexts, captions, product descriptions, customer support, where AI can save time without much loss. But in literature, the human voice matters. The awkward, painstaking work of drafting is what gives writing its richness.
Our philosophy at PACE
At PACE, we take AI seriously. We explore its possibilities, but we also hold fast to the essentiality of human authorship. Our creative writing courses are havens for slow, contemplative work, spaces where writers refine their voices, connect with peers, and discover the transformative power of writing.
Writing at its best is one hand clasping another. Our workshops and seminars nurture that ability to connect, offering encouragement and insight from a supportive community.
Courses that nurture innovation
Curious to explore how literature will be impacted by AI? If you want to deepen your craft, our creative writing programmes offer a range of entry points:
- MSt in Creative Writing: a two-year, part-time Master’s degree designed for experienced writers ready to refine their voice across fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, or multi-disciplinary forms.
- MSt in Writing for Performance: for those drawn to the stage or screen, this programme explores how storytelling adapts across media, and how AI might influence performance writing.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing: ideal for educators and practitioners who want to integrate creative writing theory and practice, including digital tools, into their teaching.
- Short Online Courses: from blogging and copywriting to nature writing and non-fiction, these flexible 7-week courses allow you to experiment with form and voice, often incorporating digital tools and platforms.
Why study with us?
We’re not just a place to learn. We’re a place to belong.
Our creative writing community is made up of writers at every stage, from curious beginners to published authors. You’ll learn from professional writers and experienced tutors who offer personalised feedback and foster a collaborative, supportive environment. Many of our students continue working together long after their course ends.
And because our programmes are part-time and often hybrid, you can study around your life, whether you’re working full-time, parenting, or pursuing other passions.
The future of writing is yours to shape
AI is changing the landscape of creativity. But it’s not the author, it’s the assistant. The real story begins with you.
At PACE, we invite you to explore this evolving frontier with rigour, imagination, and a sense of play. Whether you’re writing your first poem or your fifth novel, whether you’re curious about machine learning or simply want to write more bravely, there’s a place for you here.
Explore our creative writing courses and begin your next chapter.