Welcome Message

Dear colleagues and friends, ladies and gentlemen,

Under the cerulean July sky and alongside Jeju Island’s crystalline waters—a land celebrated as the “Hawaii of the East” for its volcanic grandeur and UNESCO-listed cultural heritage—we will gather there to inaugurate the 14th Convention of the International Association for Ethical Literary Criticism. On behalf of the association, I am delighted to invite you to join us on Jeju and extend our warmest welcome. This convention will not only honor our traditions of humanistic inquiry but also pioneer innovative dialogues, bridging classical hermeneutics with 21st-century digital narratives. 

This year’s conference focuses on the theme of “Ethical Literary Criticism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” with a particular emphasis on the subtopic “New Perspectives in Ethical Literary Criticism: ESG and Sustainability.” Over the past five years, we have engaged in thoughtful dialogues on how artificial intelligence is reshaping literature and ethical inquiry. Looking ahead, our upcoming conference will deepen these conversations, exploring how literature can provide ethical and scientific choice in our rapidly changing world and how an ESG framework might offer new insights into global governance and environmental stewardship.

As the ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi said over 2,500 years ago, “Man follows the earth; the earth follows the heaven; the heaven follows the Dao; and the Dao follows Nature.” The harmonious coexistence of nature and humanity has always been the core spirit of sustainable development. Yet, in this era of rapid AI advancement, we must ask more than ever: How can literature, with its unique ethical power, guide humanity to maintain moral boundaries amidst the technological tide? And how can critical thinking within the ESG framework provide wisdom for global governance and ecological balance? Sixty years ago, C. P. Snow offered us the right approach: the fusion of the humanities and the sciences. Today, we have a clearer answer and a path for the future of literature: the integration of AI and literature.

Literature has always served as a mirror reflecting humanity and society. From the heroic choices in Homer’s epics to the soul-searching dilemmas in Shakespeare’s tragedies; from the poetic wisdom of Qu Yuan to contemporary society’s scientific imaginations, literature has never ceased to document humanity’s exploration and awakening in ethical choices.” The road ahead is long and has no ending; yet high and low I’ll search with my will unbending” (from “Li Sao”). This reflects Qu Yuan’s literary expression of perseverance in the face of adversity and serves as a contemplation of the choices of literature in the age of AI.

Today, as AIGC generates text at an astonishing speed and gene editing technologies change the definition of life, traditional beliefs will be subverted. The mission of literary criticism is no longer limited to text interpretation; it must confront the collision of ethics between technology and literature, particularly the need for theoretical reflection on AI, literary writing, and literary criticism. We need to redefine the role of literature within the ESG framework from an interdisciplinary perspective: it serves as both a warning of environmental crises and a call for social justice, while also being a conduit for governance wisdom.

Jeju Island—shaped by both volcanic forces and the sea—serves as a powerful symbol of resilience and sustainability. The majestic Hallasan Mountain, a testament to enduring natural strength, and the island’s traditional haenyeo culture, which embodies a timeless wisdom of living in harmony with nature, encourage us to reflect on how enduring values can guide us through modern challenges. As the Korean poet Ko Un observed in “The Stones of Jeju,” “The stones remain silent, yet they carry a thousand years of breath.” Here on Jeju, we may come to understand more deeply that ethical literary criticism, like the stones of this island, must be steadfast—firmly rooted in traditional values while directly confronting the uncertainties of the future.

This conference will feature a series of sessions—from “The Scientific Turn in Ethical Literary Criticism” to “Global Governance and Literary Criticism”—designed to foster insightful discussions on the evolving role of literature in an era marked by rapid technological advances. We look forward to exploring through diverse dialogues how AI is reshaping the ethical boundaries of literary writing and criticism, to examining whether an ESG framework can offer new pathways for literary critique, and to discussing how literature might provide moral inspiration amid the twin challenges of ecological crisis and technological alienation. Although definitive answers may not emerge immediately, our collective dialogue will undoubtedly enrich our understanding and spark innovative ideas.

Dear friends, Confucius says, “A gentleman seeks harmony, not uniformity.” The true value of scholarship lies in the dynamic collision and fusion of ideas. I sincerely hope that this conference will not only yield abundant academic insights but also serve as a bridge connecting Eastern and Western traditions and uniting the humanities and sciences. Let us set sail with literature as our vessel and ethics as our oar, anchoring our scientific coordinates amidst the tide of artificial intelligence, and contributing our ideas and wisdom toward building a more responsible and sustainable world.

Finally, I wish you all inspiration, deepened friendships, and the joy of intellectual exchange while enjoying the blue skies and clear waters of Jeju Island in July. Here’s to a successful conference!

Dear esteemed colleagues and distinguished guests,

It is my great pleasure and honor to welcome you to the 14th Annual Conference of the International Association for Ethical Literary Criticism (IAELC). Held at the scenic Halla Convention Center in Jeju, South Korea, this conference brings together scholars, researchers, and thought leaders committed to exploring the evolving intersections of literature, ethics, and technology.

The theme of this year’s conference, “Ethical Literary Criticism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” is both timely and significant. As AI continues to transform the way we create, interpret, and engage with literature, we are faced with pressing ethical questions about authorship, originality, and the role of human agency in literary discourse. This gathering provides an opportunity to critically examine how AI challenges and reshapes our understanding of literature and ethical criticism in the digital era.

Throughout the conference, we will engage in stimulating discussions spanning diverse perspectives—from rethinking the ethical foundations of literary criticism in the context of AI to exploring its implications across disciplines. Together, we aim to redefine paradigms, challenge existing boundaries, and inspire new approaches to scholarship in this rapidly evolving landscape.

As a firm advocate of IAELC’s mission, I am deeply encouraged by the enthusiasm and dedication of all participants. Your collective insights and contributions will undoubtedly enrich our understanding of literature’s ethical responsibilities in the age of artificial intelligence.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers, keynote speakers, and all attendees who have made this conference possible. May our discussions spark ideas that resonate beyond this event, shaping the future of ethical literary criticism in meaningful ways.

Welcome to Jeju, and I wish you a thought-provoking and inspiring conference.

Sincerely,

Lim Daegeun

Dean, Culture & Technology Convergence Studies

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies