To address the rapid transformation driven by generative AI, the College of Humanities and Education at Chung Yuan Christian University launched the “Humanities and AI Lecture Series.” The series features Prof. Tsung-Han Tsai, convener of the TAIDE Project Model Development Team under the National Science and Technology Council; creative arts educator Prof. Wei-Jen Ting; and interdisciplinary creator Prof. Hsiao-Yueh Tsao.
From future technologies and hands-on creation to literary cross-media translation, the program aims to help faculty and students in the humanities and language-related fields rethink their roles in the AI era, make effective use of technological tools to strengthen professional expertise, and explore new capacities and opportunities.
Seeing Taiwan’s ChatGPT through TAIDE: Preparing for the Future of Life and Learning
The lecture series opened with Prof. Tsung-Han Tsai of National Central University—widely known as a leading force behind “Taiwan’s ChatGPT.” In his October 23 talk, “How Will AI Transform Our Future, Daily Life, and Learning?” Prof. Tsai introduced practical AI applications and highlighted that we are already “living in an AI-surrounded world.”
Prof. Tsung-Han Tsai further introduced TAIDE (Trustworthy AI Dialogue Engine), the national large language model initiative led by Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council. He explained that Taiwan needs its own GPT not only for accurate linguistic and cultural understanding, but also for data sovereignty, security, and local governance.
Using examples such as AI-assisted essay-grading systems, Prof. Tsai demonstrated how AI can reduce teachers’ mechanical workload and allow them to focus on meaningful dialogue and guidance. Students, meanwhile, gain access to instant, repeated practice and feedback, creating a more flexible learning experience.
Addressing the common fear that “AI will replace humans,” he reminded students: “AI itself isn’t the real threat—the danger lies in using it only superficially and refusing to improve.” Only by understanding AI’s principles, limitations, and risks—and integrating it with one’s own professional expertise—can we remain competitive in the future workforce.
Poetic AI Imagery: Expanding Literary Possibilities through Digital Translation
The second lecture on November 18 featured Prof. Hsiao-Yueh Tsao of National Taiwan Normal University, who spoke on “Poetic AI Imagery: Cross-Media Literary Translation.” She guided students into an immersive sensory world, beginning with her audio work Other Shore of Poetry.
Prof. Tsao illustrated how themes of diaspora and memory can be transformed into a “soundscape poem,” weaving together ocean waves, music, and spoken voice. In dark or curated spaces, listeners are invited to “read” the text with their bodies and ears, discovering new modes of literary experience.
In the third lecture on November 20, Prof. Wei-Jen Ting of National Tsing Hua University discussed practical applications of ChatGPT in creative writing. By comparing human-written, AI-generated, and collaborative poem versions, he prompted students to ask whether authorship matters when a work truly moves us. Prof. Ting noted that while AI can craft polished language, human creators must still engage with the deeper layers of writing—emotion, presence, and values.
Prof. Tsao then shared how she uses family photographs and oral histories as creative materials, reconstructing personal and family memories through video editing, AI-generated imagery, and multi-frame animation. She demonstrated how written text can be translated into visuals, music, and even VR environments, allowing students to see poetry not only as lines on a page but as immersive spaces one can walk through and explore.
Prof. Tsao emphasized that while AI and digital technologies offer dazzling visual possibilities, it is essential to maintain respect for the original text. She encouraged students to consider which emotions and images must be preserved and which may be reimagined during the translation process. For learners in the humanities and language fields, she highlighted technology as a powerful medium for extending narrative expression—provided that critical thinking and reflective reading remain at the core.
Across the three lectures—spanning national-level language model development, human–AI collaboration in creative practice, and immersive experiments blending poetry and visual media—a shared message emerged: AI is not the endpoint of humanities education, but a new starting point for rethinking language, creativity, and learning.
Students reflected that AI is no longer just a convenient tool; it prompted them to recognize their roles and responsibilities within the evolving AI ecosystem, offering valuable insight and inspiration.
Dean Penny S. Peng of the College of Humanities and Education noted that the College will continue developing interdisciplinary lectures and hands-on courses rooted in real-world contexts. These efforts aim to deepen students’ AI literacy and humanistic awareness, equipping them with the essential capacities to engage meaningfully with the future world and opening new possibilities for humanities education.
