At the 10th World Association for Chinese Studies Conference (WACS 10), held August 14 at the University of Hong Kong, award-winning writer Xuemo delivered a keynote address that positioned literature as a vital counterpoint to the rise of artificial intelligence. In his talk, titled "Using Literature to Connect the World: Wisdom and Transcendence in the AI Era," Xuemo argued that while algorithms increasingly shape human experience, literature rooted in love and wisdom remains the truest bridge between human hearts. His accompanying paper was featured on the front page of the conference journal, drawing immediate attention from international scholars.
Xuemo described his creative process as entering a state of "holistic consciousness," shedding ego and sensory limits to let the work emerge as a natural response to human suffering and aspiration. "Love and wisdom," he said, "are the soul of great literature." This perspective resonated across disciplines, prompting responses from scholars in Chinese studies, philosophy, and comparative literature.
Professor Richard Van Ness Simmons, Director of Chinese Studies at the University of Hong Kong, highlighted Xuemo's masterful use of Liangzhou dialect—a linguistic treasure that carries five thousand years of agrarian heritage. Simmons noted that Xuemo's painstaking collaboration with translator Howard Goldblatt, involving millions of characters of dialogue over every dialectal nuance, sets a new standard for cross-cultural fidelity. This attention to linguistic detail underscores the depth of Xuemo's commitment to preserving cultural authenticity in translation.
European Academy of Sciences member Professor Martin Woesler drew parallels between Xuemo's narrative voice and Western phenomenological thought, praising his bold strategy of giving translators creative freedom—an approach Woesler called a "game-changer" for bringing Chinese literature to global readers. Scholars from Uzbekistan, Europe, and China's top universities joined the discussion, reflecting the widening international interest in Xuemo's work.
The conference highlighted the growing academic recognition of Xuemo, who has published more than 80 books with translations in 31 languages, making him one of China's most translated and internationally recognized living authors. His landmark works—including the Desert Trilogy, Into the Desert, and the monumental eight-volume epic Suosalang—have earned recent international honors such as the New York City Big Book Award, the International Book Awards, and the International Impact Book Awards (2024–2025).
Xuemo's keynote came at a time when the global debate on AI intensifies. His assertion that "the real barrier to cross-cultural understanding is never technique; it is the depth of our care for life itself" offers a timeless perspective. As technology advances, his growing global readership suggests a counter-intuitive truth: the more sophisticated our tools, the more we crave stories that speak directly to the shared human condition across all borders and languages.
The implications of Xuemo's message extend beyond literary circles. His emphasis on love and wisdom as the soul of literature challenges the notion that AI can replicate human connection. In an era where algorithms curate our experiences, his work reminds us that the deepest human connections are forged through empathy and understanding, not data processing. This perspective is increasingly relevant as societies navigate the ethical and cultural dimensions of AI adoption.
Xuemo's presentation at WACS 10 not only showcased his literary achievements but also positioned him as a thought leader in the intersection of culture and technology. His ability to bridge ancient wisdom and modern concerns offers a model for how literature can remain relevant in a rapidly changing world. As scholars continue to explore the role of the humanities in the digital age, Xuemo's work provides a compelling case for the enduring power of storytelling.
