Masterclass: Poetry and AI | Larger languages | Arvon
Masterclass: Poetry and AI
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Masterclass: Poetry and AI

Larger languages
Tutor
  • Black and white photo of Caleb Parkin
    Caleb Parkin
Date Friday September 4th 2026, 10:00-12:00 BST
Location Online

For many of us, Large Language Models (like ChatGPT) feel like energy-hungry monsters thumping into our quiet literary landscapes. But if writers cannot escape AI, what kind of creative relationship should we cultivate with it? Drawing on his extensive work with the ‘Page Against the Machine’ projects, poet Caleb Parkin invites you to move beyond the binary of simply being ‘for’ or ‘against’ this technology, and imagine playful ways to use it to expand and enrich your practice.

Inspired by artist and author James Bridle’s idea that technology is simply ‘what we can learn to do,’ in this Masterclass Caleb will take you hunting for the ‘bats, goblins, and frogs’ of the AI world. You’ll explore ways to ‘punk’ (or hack) open-source models to see how they might help us connect in our work with more-than-human life – the animals, plants, and ecosystems we share our world with. Through playful activities like creating ‘Digital Bestiaries’ or imagining the sensory lives of satellites, we’ll reposition poets as inventors of our own ‘technologies’ – our poems.

We’ll take an honest look at the environmental costs of data centres while testing whether ‘copiloting’ with AI can actually expand our poetic attention. Join us to imagine a new kind of creativity: one that is collaborative, resistant, and sustainable for all earthlings.


Is this session for me?

Our masterclasses are regularly attended by writers who:

  • Are hungry for fresh thinking, stimulus and new ways into their writing
  • Are looking to keep up or boost their writing momentum
  • Have time constraints and can’t always commit to the live experience
  • Are wanting to try something new
  • Enjoy taking things at their own pace
  • Are looking to develop a regular writing habit
  • Are looking for a supportive environment in which to open up creatively

What will I gain?

  • A two hour writing workout – at your pace
  • Two hours of inspiring tuition from the finest writers at work today
  • Two hours to focus on your writing with guidance from experienced Arvon tutors
  • Two hours of craft, technique and writing prompts
  • Two hours that will propel your writing forward
  • Support from friendly Arvon hosts
  • Becoming part of an inclusive creative community
  • Access to the recording afterwards

How does it work?

The Masterclass will be delivered via Zoom webinar, so you can take the session at your own pace, without the pressure of having your video or camera on. You can contribute via the chatbox with your tutor and other writers attending the session. Sessions are also recorded so if you are unable to attend live, you will have access to the recording afterwards. Masterclasses can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Just translate the UK time to your local time zone.

Why Arvon?

Arvon is a not-for-profit charity that has been running since 1968.

At Arvon, everyone who crosses the door of one of our writing houses is a writer – no matter what their age or writing experience – and all are welcome.

For more information About Arvon – Home of Creative Writing since 1968 – Arvon

Online: £40

Concessions: £20

As part of our effort to increase participation in the arts, half-price concessions are available for this course at checkout. There are a limited number of free subsidised places for those who cannot afford the concession price.

We are committed to making our Arvon at Home programme accessible to as many people as possible.

Our FAQ page may also helpful.

Across all of Arvon at Home 

Masterclasses 

The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures 

Saturday Writing Club

Online Writing Days

Writing Weeks and Writing Months

A note on the use of AI and recording

Subject to funding/permissions/availability (please contact arvonathome@arvon.org for more details)

If you have any access needs that we have not covered here, please contact us on access@arvon.org

See here for more access information.

"These zoom opportunities are really helping to open my world and keep me inspired to write."
— Masterclass participant
"Arvon at Home creates a model to participate in inspirational tutoring for writers, at a distance. The feeling of attending to my writing life in an excellent fashion, and still having a half-day for my work and caring responsibilities at home, felt like a good balance."
— Masterclass participant
"It was an absolutely brilliant session and very very useful. And it made me realise how much I’ve missed this kind of workshop because of having children and family that I can’t leave. Now we’re all in the same boat the online stuff is truly transformative."
— Masterclass participant

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