The Rise of the Reader in the Age of AI
In a world where large language models (LLMs) generate text that mimics human language without any conscious thought, the notion of the “author” begins to dissolve. David J. Gunkel argues that these AI systems don’t simply threaten writers—they reframe what writing and meaning are. With LLMs, meaning no longer derives from the intentions or credibility of a named author. Instead, meaning emerges from how readers interpret a text, regardless of its source. The question “Who wrote this?” loses relevance, while “What does this say to me?” gains importance.
The death of the author marks the birth of the critical reader. When there’s no clear voice behind the words—just algorithms and data—the reader steps into a more active role. We no longer decode meaning by tracing back to a writer’s identity or intent. Instead, we assemble meaning from the text itself and our context as readers. In this sense, LLMs don’t destroy writing; they foreground its real engine: interpretation.
AI exposes the fiction behind our traditional idea of authorship. Rather than relying on the myth of the wise, original creator, we’re encouraged to accept that all writing—human or machine-generated—only becomes meaningful through engagement. Meaning isn't bestowed by authority but negotiated in the act of reading.
Country: Global Keywords: Artificial intelligence, authorship, large language models, creativity