Provocations from the Humanities for Generative AI Research
2025/02/26 by Lauren Klein, Meredith Martin, Klein, Lauren +13 · 18 voices · 6 citations
Arts and Humanities · Computer Science · Social Sciences · #Artificial Intelligence in Games #Computational and Text Analysis Methods #Digital Humanities and Scholarship #cs.AI #cs.CY
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2502.19190
openalex publication_date 2025/02/26 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Abstract
The effects of generative AI are experienced by a broad range of constituencies, but the disciplinary inputs to its development have been surprisingly narrow. Here we present a set of provocations from humanities researchers -- currently underrepresented in AI development -- intended to inform its future applications and enrich ongoing conversations about its uses, impact, and harms. Drawing from relevant humanities scholarship, along with foundational work in critical data studies, we elaborate eight claims with broad applicability to generative AI research: 1) Models make words, but people make meaning; 2) Generative AI requires an expanded definition of culture; 3) Generative AI can never be representative; 4) Bigger models are not always better models; 5) Not all training data is equivalent; 6) Openness is not an easy fix; 7) Limited access to compute enables corporate capture; and 8) AI universalism creates narrow human subjects. We also provide a working definition of humanities research, summarize some of its most salient theories and methods, and apply these theories and methods to the current landscape of AI. We conclude with a discussion of the importance of resisting the extraction of humanities research by computer science and related fields.
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- arxiv.org/abs/2502.19190 we're still tinkering, but couldn't wait to share. [bsky, 126 points, 5 comments]
- Already a time capsule, but back in January a bunch of us working at the intersection of the humanities and AI/ML came together to sketch out eight provocations from the humanities for genAI research. [bsky, 115 points, 5 comments]
- This should be mandatory reading for scholars across the board arxiv.org/abs/2502.19190 [bsky, 56 points, 1 comments]
- Compelling and persuasive critical assessment about what humanities research is and does, and why generative AI is not just problematic but confounding. Will be sharing widely. Thanks @laurenfklein. [bsky, 47 points, 2 comments]
- The preprint is LIVE: Lauren Klein, Meredith Martin, André Brock, Maria Antoniak, Melanie Walsh, Jessica Marie Johnson, Lauren Tilton, David Mimno, “Provocations from the Humanities for Generative AI [bsky, 23 points, 1 comments]
- Here's the preprint: arxiv.org/abs/2502.19190 [bsky, 17 points, 2 comments]
- Level up: “Provocations from the Humanities for Generative AI Research,” arXiv:2502.19190, preprint, arXiv, January 12, 2026, doi.org/10.48550/arX.... Written by some of the best minds I've had the ho [bsky, 14 points, 0 comments]
- Juist de geestwetenschappen kunnen ons helpen om het gebruik, impact en de gevaren van generatieve AI (zoals ChatGPT) beter te begrijpen. Deze preprint van een aantal vooraanstaande Amerikaanse colleg [bsky, 12 points, 1 comments]
- This from @laurenfklein.bsky.social et al.? arxiv.org/abs/2502.19190 [bsky, 12 points, 1 comments]
- Up next the always awesome @laurenfklein.bsky.social discussing a humanities-forward AI! Make sure to check out Provocations from the Humanities for Generative AI Research: arxiv.org/abs/2502.19190 [bsky, 10 points, 2 comments]
- 🔥 "to address what is missing from the cultural record, we should not replace the real with the fabricated. We must elevate the accountability, specificity, and reflection that has long accompanied a [bsky, 9 points, 1 comments]
- An article on generative AI and the humanities: "Models make words, but people make meaning." Exactly. arxiv.org/abs/2502.19190 [bsky, 3 points, 0 comments]
- Today is the ✨✨1st meeting of the @lancasteruni.bsky.social DH Reading Group✨✨. We are diving into "Provocations from the Humanities for Generative AI Research"! arxiv.org/abs/2502.191... [bsky, 3 points, 1 comments]
- This piece ("Provocations from the Humanities for Generative AI Research") is fantastic! Such a good description of what humanities research gives us; clear-eyed analysis of the harms of AI as it curr [bsky, 2 points, 0 comments]
- Read @laurenfklein.bsky.social's arxiv.org/abs/2502.19190 which presents 8 claims for humanities AI research. They suggest "2) GenAI requires an expanded definition of culture." This is 👍 & connects [bsky, 2 points, 1 comments]
- Sí! És aquest! arxiv.org/abs/2502.19190 [bsky, 0 points, 1 comments]
- arxiv.org/abs/2502.19190 This paper presents a set of provocations for considering the uses, impact, and harms of generative AI from the perspective of humanities researchers. We provide a working d [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
- arxiv.org/abs/2502.19190 offers perspective from humanities researchers on GenAI, including: "1) Models make words, but people make meaning; 2) Generative AI requires an expanded definition of culture [bsky, 0 points, 1 comments]
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