NATIONAL SEMINAR - 2024

National Seminar on Convergence of AI, DH, and English Studies

The Department of English at Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University hosted the 'National Seminar on Convergence of AI, DH, and English Studies' on March 29, 2024. The seminar delved into the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Humanities (DH), and English Studies, exploring topics such as:

1. How AI can help analyze literature
2.  Using Digital Humanities for studying texts
3. AI's role in teaching and learning language
4.  Considering ethical issues in AI and DH research

Keynote speakers of distinction were:

• Prof. (Dr.) Nigam Dave from Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar

• Dr. Richa Srishti from CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Lavasa

• Dr. Richa Mishra from Nirma University, Ahmedabad

• Dr. Shobha K. N. from the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR), Chennai

Dilip Barad talked about how new ideas face resistance before being accepted, using Plato's words about truth and lies as an example. He also mentioned a story about a Greek god. Most of the seminar participants were girls, and he talked about the importance of empowering girls in digital literacy. 

1.Prof.Dr.Nigam Dave 

Topic  :"Value Neutrality of Deepfakes and Its Positive Implications."

Nigam Dave, shed light on the value neutrality of deepfakes and their positive implications. 

Dr. Dave delved into the definition of deepfakes, describing them as edited images, videos, or audio recordings that replace the original person with someone else, often a public figure, in a manner that appears authentic. He highlighted various terms associated with deepfakes, including digital avatars, AI image swaps, face swaps, cheap fakes, shallow fakes, and text fakes.

Expanding the discussion, he explored the concept of fake identities in literature, citing examples from stories like those of Chyavan Rushi. He also touched upon the prevalence of altered content in memes, body doubles, celebrity look-alikes, mimicry artists, singers mimicking known voices, and the existence of fake products in places like Chor Bazaar. Notable mentions included the holographic representation of Michael Jackson and historical resistance to new technologies.

However, Professor Dave also emphasized the positive aspects of deepfakes, such as the recreation of historical figures like Evil Prestey through rotoscoping and the emergence of synthetic literature generated by AI, exemplified by apps like Words by Words. He highlighted practical applications like synthetic voices for navigation and aiding individuals who have lost their ability to speak due to medical conditions.

Furthermore, he discussed innovative projects like Microsoft's Mr. Mix the Reality, which utilizes the HoloLens for blending virtual and real environments, and the rise of virtual influencers. Throughout his presentation, he referenced figures like Christopher Marlowe, Doctor Foster, Helen of Troy, and Sam Pitroda to provide context and depth to his arguments.

In summary, Professor Dave's discourse encouraged attendees to adopt a nuanced perspective on deepfakes, recognizing both their potential negative implications and the transformative possibilities they offer.

2.Dr.Richa Mishra

Topic: "Engaging with Digital Humanities Tools, Techniques, and Scope"

Dr. Richa Mishra, Her talk was all about how we engage with Digital Humanities, focusing on tools, techniques, and its scope.

She explained that Digital Humanities is basically about using digital data, visualization, interaction, context, and various methods to understand human culture and history. She mentioned some key figures in the field like father Busa, Willard McCarty, Franco Moretti, Johanna Drucker, and Lev Monoich.

The whole idea behind Digital Humanities is that it came about because academics wanted to explore how newly emerging digital technologies could enhance our understanding of human constructs, social relations, and what it means to be human.

Dr. Mishra emphasized that in Digital Humanities, details are like the new soil. It's where we plant our ideas and grow our understanding.

She talked about the traditional research flow, how we go from gathering materials to analyzing them, debating their significance, and then disseminating our findings.

Then she delved into techniques like text mining and analysis, data visualization, geospatial analysis, networking analysis, corpus linguistics, text encoding and markup, topic modeling, digital storytelling and narrative analysis, and data curation and preservation. These techniques help us make sense of vast amounts of digital information.

She also highlighted some tools that are commonly used in Digital Humanities, making it more accessible for researchers.

She shared examples of Digital Humanities in action, comparing it to a digital love story. One interesting reference she made was to the Verse by Verse App, showing how technology can enhance our understanding and appreciation of literature and culture.

3. Dr. Richa Shristi 

Topic: "The Role of AI in Creative Process: Rethinking Authorship " 

Dr. Richa Srishti , talked about how AI is changing the creative process and the concept of authorship. She discussed how AI can foster creativity, create art, and even write stories, raising ethical and legal concerns. She demonstrated human-AI collaborations in creating poetry and emphasized the importance of ethical considerations in using AI.

During her talk, Dr. Srishti showcased a picture and a story created by both humans and AI, highlighting the blurred lines between human and AI creativity. She raised questions about whether AI can truly replicate human creativity or if it's just imitation.

Dr. Srishti also discussed the impact of AI on literature, such as the rise of e-literature, democratization of publishing, and the blurring of genres. She pondered on the future of creativity, questioning if true originality and emotional depth can only be achieved by humans.

4.Dr. Shobha K. N. 

Topic: " AI for Teaching and Learning " 

Dr. Shobha K.N. explored AI's role in learning and teaching, questioning whether technology is accessible to everyone or just a select few. He referenced historical technological advancements like the printing press and typewriters and how they changed education. He mentioned figures like Benjamin S. Bloom, Sal Khan, and Sam Altman.

Dr. Shobha emphasized that AI education isn't just about technical skills but also about nurturing critical thinking and ethical considerations. He used sports examples to illustrate how technology has changed the way we learn and teach, ultimately advocating for responsible AI use in education.

NagaMandala Play and YouTube Play Review.

 Question:1

The setting and stage design in the YouTube adaptation of Girish Karnad's "Naga-Mandala" played a pivotal role in deepening my understanding of the narrative and its underlying themes. Immersing myself in the visual portrayal of the rustic Indian village where the story unfolds facilitated a more vivid exploration of the characters' lives and the challenges they faced.

The strategic utilization of lighting and sound effects in the YouTube rendition accentuated the magical realism woven throughout the narrative, thus rendering the themes more palpable and relatable to the audience.

Moreover, the staging decisions made notable thematic statements, particularly regarding the tension between tradition and modernity, thereby imbuing the story with added significance. Observing the characters' interactions with their surroundings served as a conduit for delving into the play's profound messages.

In summary, the setting and stage design enriched my interpretation of the original text's setting by furnishing a visual backdrop that enhanced comprehension of the story's intricacies and thematic depth. The YouTube adaptation proved to be an immersive and thought-provoking experience, elevating the narrative to new heights.

Question:2

"When comparing the YouTube play to the original text of Naga-Mandala, several notable distinctions emerge:

1. The character of Man exhibits a significant contrast. In the text, his awareness of impending death if he fails to awaken that night lends a sense of apprehension. Conversely, the YouTube adaptation omits this detail, portraying Man as devoid of worry.

2. Characters such as Flames (Flame-1, 2, 3, 4, and New Flame), Story, and Song are specifically mentioned in the text but are absent from the YouTube rendition.

3. Kurudavva's demeanor undergoes a transformation. While depicted as somewhat serious in the text, the YouTube portrayal presents her character with vivacity and excitement.

4. Kappana's name is altered to Kallu in the YouTube adaptation.

5. Notably, the text offers three distinct endings, whereas the YouTube play converges on a singular conclusion."

Question:3

1. Visual representation: Watching the YouTube play provided a tangible visualization of the characters, settings, and events described in the literary work, making it easier to comprehend the narrative and its nuances.

2. Emotional depth: Seeing the actors portray emotions such as fear, love, and despair added depth to the story, enhancing my understanding of the characters' motivations and internal struggles.

3. Cultural context: The visual elements of the play, including costumes, set design, and music, offered insights into the cultural context of the story, enriching my appreciation for its themes and symbolism.

4. Symbolism and imagery: Certain visual cues and staging choices may have highlighted symbolism and imagery that I might have overlooked while reading the text alone, deepening my understanding of the themes explored in "Nagamandala."

5. Spatial dynamics: Observing the interactions between characters within the physical space of the stage may have provided insights into power dynamics, social hierarchies, and relationships that are not as evident in the written text.

6. Interpretation of key scenes: Witnessing pivotal moments, such as the transformation of characters or the climax of the story, brought key themes and messages to life in a way that textual description alone may not have achieved.

7. Artistic interpretation: The director's creative choices in adapting the literary work for the stage may have offered unique perspectives on the story, prompting me to reconsider certain aspects of the narrative and its intended meanings.

8. Engagement with performance elements: Observing elements such as acting techniques, staging, and use of props and lighting may have deepened my understanding of how performance contributes to the interpretation and communication of a literary work.

Question:5

1. "Nagamandala" is a play about a woman named Rani who feels trapped in a loveless marriage.

2. She finds comfort in folk tales, especially one about a serpent king.

3. Rani performs a secret ritual with a snake figurine to express her desires.

4. Things get complicated when she's seduced by a cobra that takes her husband's form.

5. Rani becomes pregnant with the serpent's child, facing society's judgment.

6. The play explores the challenges women face in a male-dominated society.

7. It also looks at the consequences of giving in to desires.

8. Rani must find a way to break free from societal expectations.

9. "Nagamandala" blends old stories with modern issues.

10. It's a touching tale about love, longing, and the search for freedom.