Lifelong learning through literature: AI ethics, moral agency, and machine consciousness in English narratives

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer confined to the realm of science and technology; it has become a cultural force that reshapes humanity's understanding of knowledge, ethics, and the future of learning. English literature, long a site of moral and philosophical reflection, provides a unique lens for examining the ethical dilemmas posed by intelligent machines. From Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to contemporary works such as Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun, literary narratives engage with enduring questions of machine consciousness, moral agency, and human responsibility. These explorations are not only relevant to ethical debates but also contribute to cultivating the reflective, adaptive, and critical capacities essential for lifelong learning in an AI-driven world. By situating AI ethics within literary study, this paper argues that literature functions as both an ethical laboratory and a lifelong learning resource, enabling individuals to confront technological change with moral imagination and resilience.