EWF 2025, from 11 to 18 September, is an annual festival for new and emerging writers. The festival presents various activities like writing workshops, panel discussions, and mentoring sessions for emerging writers.
Faisal Oddang participated as a speaker in a panel discussion, "NWC Fanning the Flame", and read an essay in the "Writers vs AI" session. His presence was part of Indonesia's National Talent Management program that sends Indonesian writers to various international festivals.
In the "NWC Fanning the Flame" panel, Oddang discussed ways to handle rejection for emerging writers. "Rejection isn't always because of our writing quality, it could be because the media has a different writing style," he said.
In the "Writers vs AI" session, Oddang shared his views on artificial intelligence. "While AI might be able to replace writers in general terms, it cannot access the collective cultural memory that shapes our writing from childhood onwards," Oddang said. "I believe humans will continue to work as writers even though AI exists."
As a writer with a Bugis cultural background, Oddang said, the diversity of language, dialects, and local nuances becomes his strength that AI can't replicate. Though, he said, he sees the benefits of artificial intelligence as a "discussion partner" for mapping ideas before writing.
Oddang, who participated at the London Book Fair and in the Iowa International Writing Program, sees literature as a cultural bridge between nations.
"By interacting with other writers with different social and cultural backgrounds, it clearly enriches [my] experience," Oddang said. "And, [I’m] able to learn a lot about the literary ecosystem and writing in other countries."
What are Oddang's complete views on the future of writers in the AI era? What benefits has he gained from interacting with international writers? Hear the full conversation on SBS Indonesian.
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