A Comparative Analysis of Creativity in Malay Pantun Writing Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology

Abstract

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has transformed the landscape of creative content production, including the field of Malay literature. However, the extent to which AI-generated pantun can match human creativity in terms of structure, linguistic aesthetics, and poetic value remains underexplored. The limited number of studies that directly compare AI-generated pantun with those composed by humans highlights the need for further investigation. Accordingly, this study aims to analyse and compare the creativity of Malay pantun writing generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications with pantun written by students. Specifically, the study identifies the creative characteristics of AI-generated pantun, examines their structural and aesthetic features, and compares the use of traditional and innovative elements between the two groups of pantun. A qualitative approach employing a text content analysis design was adopted. The data comprised 20 pantun generated entirely using an AI application and 20 pantun written by students based on the same themes. The data were analysed using a literary text analysis framework focusing on creativity, pantun structure, linguistic aesthetics, symbolism, and innovation in meaning. The findings indicate that AI is capable of consistently generating pantun that conform to the formal conventions of traditional Malay pantun, particularly in terms of the number of lines, rhyme scheme, and the relationship between the pembayang and the maksud. Nevertheless, AI-generated pantun tend to rely on conventional language patterns, exhibit limited cultural symbolism, and demonstrate restricted aesthetic innovation. In contrast, although the students' pantun display some inconsistencies in structural construction, they demonstrate greater creativity, deeper emotional expression, richer cultural symbolism, and more original meaning-making. The study concludes that AI has considerable potential as a supportive tool in the production of Malay pantun; however, it has yet to match the overall creativity of human writers. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the potential and limitations of AI in the creation of Malay literary works while providing useful insights for researchers, educators, and AI application developers in strengthening the preservation and innovation of the Malay pantun heritage.

Keywords: Malay pantun; Artificial Intelligence (AI); creativity; comparative analysis; literary aesthetics; Malay literature.