The fact that an AI can be capable of writing sensible texts for advertising and editing is not only known to experts. AI-based machines that you feed with appropriate facts, which now independently help themselves to information from reputable sources, support creatives in agencies and e-commerce as well as editors and journalists. But what about the freestyle of writing – fiction? Can an AI come up with its own story and then write it down? Just like a human author?

It works. But it takes a lot of work. A team of experts from the fields of data analytics, machine learning, software engineering and linguistics has been training an AI that independently writes fictional texts for Ella Media AG for a good four years. The result, or rather the state of development, is something to behold. Here is an example:

A dream.
Dreamily you look out of the freshly cleaned window at the green and peaceful valley. To your right you see the edge of a great sea of grass with waves rolling against the shore. A small pyramid of white flowers stands tall and proud in this sea and you smile. You miss how the grass in your hometown could smell so sweet and full of life. Even those sweet smelling flowers can’t compete with the smell of this simple place.

You sigh and turn the page of your novel. It’s been almost 5 years since you came to this house. The house itself is old with faded blue paint and cracked red bricks, one of the only good things about this place. You don’t feel sad or lonely, no, you are never lonely here, you don’t care, nor would you ever try to rid yourself of that feeling. You have your own room with a small bed for two with one of the old blankets hanging on the door. You can sleep here if you stay in your new life. Sometimes it’s night when you come home from work and stay here.

You have a small suitcase ready and packed and you bring it into the bedroom. There is a small kitchen and a living room. There are only three small rooms and they are mainly filled with books and clothes. You put your suitcase on the floor next to the bed and put your books and suitcase on it.

You turn back to the window and take a deep breath. You observe a small cloud making its way across the sky, to the left of the sun. It slowly makes its way across the sky with a small gust of wind.

You don’t care about the noise of the city or the people walking on the street. You can be alone here, and you live for once in your life. The breeze caresses your face and arms and it smells like earth. You close your eyes and take a deep breath. You think to yourself: this is freedom.

How this story will continue, you cannot say at this moment. How the story of Ella Media AG will continue – neither. But – it will go on!

Written on October 5, 2021