Towards an AI-Driven Paradigm of Odia Literary Studies

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the humanities by opening new possibilities for interpretation, preservation, and dissemination of literary knowledge. In the context of Odia literature, AI should not be viewed merely as a technological intervention but as a transformative intellectual framework that enriches textual scholarship, translation studies, digital archiving, manuscript preservation, and cultural memory. The integration of Digital Humanities, ICT, and AI enables innovative methods for studying classical and contemporary Odia texts, documenting folk and tribal traditions, and expanding global access to the rich literary heritage of Odisha. At the same time, it raises important questions regarding authenticity, ethics, linguistic identity, and human creativity. This paper examines how AI-driven approaches can strengthen teaching, research, and critical inquiry in Odia literary studies while preserving the aesthetic and cultural essence of the language. It argues that a balanced synthesis of literary scholarship and digital innovation can create a new paradigm for the future of Odia studies in higher education.

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