Is Literature Losing the AI Race?
Afeera Zainab
Islamabad: At a time when artificial intelligence can generate essays, create stories and solve complex problems within seconds, one question is gaining importance: who will preserve the human ability to feel, imagine and understand?
As universities around the world witness a decline in literature enrolments, educators and scholars warn that the fading interest in humanities may not simply be an academic shift, but a deeper change in how society values empathy, creativity and critical thinking.
For decades, subjects like English and Urdu literature attracted students who sought knowledge, cultural understanding and intellectual exploration. However, today’s students are increasingly turning towards Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, viewing them as pathways to stronger career opportunities.
Literary scholar Adam Gage Walker noted that the mid-twentieth century represented a peak period for English departments in US universities. Recent trends show a similar decline elsewhere, with reports indicating a significant drop in English literature enrolments at UK universities between 2019–20 and 2023–24.
Experts link this decline to several factors, including increased digital consumption, reduced reading habits and growing pressure on students to pursue degrees associated with immediate financial returns.
Yet, supporters of literature argue that its value extends far beyond employment prospects.
Maria Khan and Noor ul Aain, students of English literature at Fazaia Bilquis College of Education for Women, believe literature remains a powerful field because it encourages creativity and allows new generations to reinterpret timeless works.
They said literature does not only preserve classic writings but also inspires students to create new ideas and explore different perspectives.
Maria Bashir, an English literature graduate from NUML University Islamabad, described literature as a multidisciplinary subject that connects psychology, sociology, history and culture.
She explained that a single literary work can be understood through multiple perspectives, allowing researchers to examine human behaviour, social structures and historical developments together.
Even students from scientific backgrounds acknowledge the importance of literature. Hafsa Mariam, a BS Physics student at the International Islamic University Islamabad, said literature improves communication skills, vocabulary and critical thinking while helping students understand human nature.
Similarly, Syeda Emaan Aamir, a BS Software Engineering student at CAS, said literature provides insight into society and human experiences. She added that literature graduates can pursue careers in education, journalism, content creation, banking and UX writing.
Javeria Zulfiqar, an English Literature lecturer at Fazaia Bilquis College of Education, believes the changing approach towards education has influenced students’ choices.
She said many students today focus more on obtaining qualifications linked with employment rather than exploring subjects for intellectual growth. According to her, literature teaches individuals to think deeply, analyse ideas and understand different cultures and experiences.
She stressed that literature should be introduced strongly at the school level because it helps students develop broader worldviews and learn from the experiences, struggles and wisdom of others.
Professor Ramzan, an experienced literature teacher with international teaching experience, said the importance of literature cannot be judged only through financial outcomes.
He believes literature continues to play a vital role by shaping minds, challenging assumptions and strengthening qualities such as empathy and imagination — abilities that remain essential even in a technology-driven world.
As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into daily life, advocates of literature argue that the discipline may become even more important.
While machines can process information and produce content, literature remains one of the ways humans explore emotions, morality and the complexity of the human experience.
For many educators, the survival of literature is not merely about protecting an academic field; it is about preserving the human qualities that technology alone cannot replace.
