From Tradition to Transformation: The Humanities in the Era of AI

Abstract

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly altered the landscape of
contemporary knowledge production, raising profound questions about the future of the
humanities. Traditionally grounded in critical interpretation, ethical reflection, and cultural
analysis, the humanities now find themselves negotiating their relevance in an era dominated by
algorithms, automation, and data-driven decision-making. This paper examines the
transformation of the humanities in the age of artificial intelligence, focusing on how AI reshapes
research methods, pedagogy, creativity, and ethical inquiry. While concerns persist regarding
technological determinism and the marginalization of humanistic values, this study argues that AI
also presents an opportunity for renewal. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and
redefining human-centered knowledge, the humanities can play a crucial role in guiding the
ethical, cultural and philosophical dimensions of artificial intelligence. Ultimately, the paper
contends that AI does not signal the end of the humanities but rather demands their active
engagement in shaping a technologically mediated future.