The rapid development of AI (artificial intelligence) technology is transforming our real world. The human body, technology, and the world are becoming more closely integrated—we are all cyborgs. Through network technology and virtual reality, we are turning into human-machine chimeras; our bodies, thoughts, consciousness, and the world itself are undergoing tremendous changes and innovations due to the internet and AI technology. AI literature is challenging human imagination and creativity. It is therefore necessary to explore new changes in the human body, examine new forms of social culture, reassess literary values, and construct new literary theories and cultural poetics. To this end, the School of Humanities at Shenzhen University, in collaboration with the Institute of Culture of the Shenzhen Academy of Social Sciences, the Institute of Comparative Literature and Comparative Culture at Shenzhen University, and the Digital Humanities Research Center of the School of Humanities, plans to hold an academic conference on “Cyborg Culture and Poetics Studies” from May 22 to 24, 2026.
1. Conference Sub-themes:
The discussions will focus on, but are not limited to, the following five aspects:
AI Technology and Cyborg Culture
Cyborg Poetics
Future Literature and Urban Civilization
Cyborg Narratives in Science Fiction Literature
Sci-Fi Games and Human–Machine Symbiosis Narrative Studies
2. Submission Information:
Teachers and students interested in the above topics are welcome to submit papers and participate in the conference. This conference requires full paper submissions of 10,000–12,000 words. Submission email: shenzhenDH2025@163.com. Deadline: April 30, 2026. Official invitation letters will be sent out before May 7, 2026.
3. Conference Fees:
The conference registration fee is 1,000 RMB, and half-price for students.
Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.
For specially invited experts and scholars, the host organization will cover round-trip travel, accommodation, meals, and related expenses.
4. Journal Support:
This conference is supported by Frontiers of Literary Theory, Cultural Studies, Journal of Digital Humanities and Science Fiction Studies, Journal of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and Shenzhen Social Sciences. Outstanding papers will be recommended for publication.
Organizers:
School of Humanities, Shenzhen University
Institute of Culture, Shenzhen Academy of Social Sciences
Institute of Comparative Literature and Comparative Culture, Shenzhen University
Digital Humanities Research Center, School of Humanities, Shenzhen University
April 3, 2026
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