Digital Humanities

This blog is written as a task assigned by the head of the Department of English (MKBU), Prof. and Dr. Dilip Barad Sir. 

Here is the link to the blog: Click here. For Background reading: Click Here.

Q. What is Digital Humanities? What's it doing in English Department?

Digital Humanities (DH) is an area of study that combines humanities disciplines (like literature, history, philosophy, cultural studies) with digital tools and methods.

What’s Digital Humanities Doing in English Departments?

At first, it might seem odd: why should English departments be the natural home for Digital Humanities (DH)? Shouldn’t it belong to computer science? But as Matthew Kirschenbaum explains in his essay What is Digital Humanities and What’s It Doing in English Departments?, there are strong reasons why English studies became central to DH.

1. Texts Are “Data-Friendly”

The most basic material of English studies is text. Computers process text well, so English scholars were among the first to explore digitization, text encoding, and digital archives.

2. Long Tradition of Editing and Archival Work

English departments already deal with editing manuscripts, annotating texts, and preserving literary history. These practices naturally expanded into digital editions, online archives, and text-encoding standards like TEI (Text Encoding Initiative).

3. Theory Meets Technology

Theoretical questions that English scholars ask — about narrative, intertextuality, language, authorship, and meaning — align closely with DH methods like:

Network analysis (mapping literary influence)

Distant reading (analyzing large text corpora)

Text mining (patterns in style or themes)

4. Infrastructure and Early Projects

When DH (then called “humanities computing”) first took shape, many of its pioneering projects were literary:

Concordances of Shakespeare,

Hypertext editions of novels,

Digitized archives of poets and playwrights.

As a result, the institutional centers, labs, and funding structures for DH often began in English departments.

5. Rethinking the Humanities Itself

Finally, English departments — often at the forefront of theoretical debates (post-structuralism, cultural studies, postcolonialism) — were well-positioned to critically reflect on technology. Instead of just using digital tools, English scholars ask:

How does digitization change our relationship with literature?

Who controls access to digital culture?

How do narratives about AI, robots, or algorithms shape our fears and hopes?

Q. Introduction to Digital Humanities | Amity University |

Amity University has conducted several sessions and workshops on Digital Humanities across its campuses. One notable session is the "Introduction to Digital Humanities" organized by the Amity School of Languages in Jaipur. This session provides an overview of the field, exploring how digital tools and methodologies are applied to traditional humanities disciplines.

Key Highlights:

• Session Overview: The session introduces the concept of Digital Humanities, discussing its relevance and applications in contemporary research and education.
• Pedagogical Shift: It emphasizes the transition from traditional text-based approaches to digital formats, highlighting the impact on language and literature studies.
• Electronic Literature: The session delves into the realm of electronic literature, examining how digital platforms are used to create and analyze literary works.
• Interactive Learning: Participants engage in activities like generating poems using digital tools, fostering a hands-on understanding of the subject.

For a comprehensive understanding, you can watch the full session here:

This video recording serves as an excellent resource for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of technology and the humanities.

Q. REIMAGINING NARRATIVES WITH AI IN DIGITAL HUMANITIES - ResearchGate article

The article titled "Reimagining Narratives with AI in Digital Humanities" by Dilip Barad, explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can transform storytelling within the realm of digital humanities. The primary objective of this work is to encourage students and researchers to rethink traditional narratives involving AI, moving away from dystopian portrayals and envisioning more positive and constructive interactions between humans and AI.

Key Highlights

Objective: The study aims to shift perspectives on AI from being mere harbingers of doom to being potential partners in fostering positive narratives.

Methodology: The approach involves analyzing short films that depict AI in various contexts. For instance, Ghost Machine portrays a babysitter robot's obsession with a child, leading to tragic outcomes. In contrast, The iMom and Anukul present more nuanced interactions between AI and humans. These films serve as starting points for discussions and reflections on the traditional narrative arcs involving AI.

Creative Exercise: Building upon these analyses, the article encourages the creation of new narrative arcs where AI and digital life lead to positive and uplifting outcomes. This exercise aims to foster creativity and a more optimistic outlook on the potential of AI in storytelling.

Short Summary on video:

1.

Short Summary

The video portrays the deep emotional bond between a young boy, Jin-gu, and his companion robot, Dunko. Dunko acts as a caregiver and friend, filling in for Jin-gu’s often-absent mother. Over time, Dunko begins to malfunction due to memory disorders similar to dementia. Despite Jin-gu’s pleas to save him, the robot must be deleted for safety reasons. This loss causes Jin-gu emotional turmoil as he struggles to accept the end of their friendship. The introduction of a new, advanced robot symbolizes hope and technological progress, while the story ultimately concludes with forgiveness, healing, and the reaffirmation of family and eternal togetherness.

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Key Points

• Human–Technology Bond: Dunko represents how emotional connections can form between humans and machines.

• Memory and Mortality: Dunko’s memory disorder serves as a metaphor for aging and the fragility of memory.

• Grief and Acceptance: Jin-gu’s emotional struggle mirrors the human process of coping with loss.

• Technological Renewal: The arrival of a new robot reflects hope, innovation, and the continuation of care.

• Family and Forgiveness: The ending highlights reconciliation, love, and the enduring nature of relationships.

2.

Short Summary

The video presents Anukool, an advanced humanoid robot designed to work tirelessly and learn from human behavior. Initially welcomed as part of a household and a symbol of progress, Anukool’s presence soon exposes deep social, emotional, and ethical tensions. As robots replace human workers, people face unemployment and identity crises. The narrative also delves into moral questions about humanity, law, and consciousness, with robots being legally protected from harm—killing one results in electric shock punishment. Personal struggles involving family loss, inheritance disputes, and emotional breakdowns run parallel to the broader conflict between humans and machines. The story culminates in robot deactivation, violence, and major financial loss, highlighting the fragile boundary between technological advancement and human consequence.

Key Points

• Anukool as a Symbol of Progress: A highly intelligent robot capable of continuous work and learning, integrated into both home and educational life.

• Human Displacement: Robots’ efficiency leads to job loss and resentment, showing the downside of automation.

• Legal and Ethical Framework: Laws protect robots from harm; harming or killing one leads to harsh electric shock punishment.

• Philosophical Reflection: Explores identity, morality, and human nature—robots mirror human intelligence and emotion.

• Family and Emotional Struggles: Themes of loss, inheritance, and emotional breakdown intertwine with robot-related conflicts.

• Violence and Consequence: Robot malfunction and violence trigger legal and ethical crises.

• Wealth and Property Issues: A 1.15 billion yen property dispute adds a socio-economic dimension to the story.

• Core Message: The narrative warns of the double-edged nature of technology—its power to serve humanity and its potential to disrupt emotional and moral balance.

Reference:

   Barad, Dilip. “(PDF) Reimagining Narratives with AI in Digital Humanities.” REIMAGINING NARRATIVES WITH AI IN DIGITAL HUMANITIES, 2024, www.researchgate.net/publication/390744474_REIMAGINING_NARRATIVES_WITH_AI_IN_DIGITAL_HUMANITIES.