AI Classical Translation Studies Program

The Institute of Traditional Culture Studies
Introduction to AI Classical Translation Studies Program

• In the era of artificial intelligence, the translation of Classical Chinese texts will continue to thrive. The interpretation and understanding of classical texts, which embody accumulated human wisdom, are not completed in a single attempt but can be perpetually explored anew within changing environments.
  
• However, the form and methodology of "Classical Chinese translation" in the AI era will differ profoundly from what we see today. The most significant change is that anyone with an interest will be enabled to read and interpret Classical Chinese texts (with the assistance of artificial intelligence...).
  
• In this shifting landscape, can the standing of "professional Classical Chinese translators" be maintained as it currently is? The role of a "Classical Chinese expert" in the AI era is no longer to simply translate classical texts into modern vernacular language. That task can be accomplished more passionately and effectively by interested members of the general public (owing to the presence of AI...).
  
• In the AI era, the role of "Classical Chinese experts" is to ensure that accurate and proper knowledge is generated when AI assists the general public in translating classical texts.
  
• Current AI possesses highly insufficient knowledge regarding Classical Chinese. To cultivate AI into a genuinely reliable assistant for classical education, it must be systematically trained with more precise and verified classical knowledge.
  
• Classical Chinese Studies that teach artificial intelligence. This is the newly defined role of a "Classical Chinese expert" in the era of AI.

Ⅰ. Program Overview

• The AI Classical Translation Studies Program is an AI-driven humanities-technology convergence professional educational initiative designed to systematically train and cultivate Classical Chinese experts whose roles are newly defined in the era of artificial intelligence[cite: 1, 2].
• This program is a professional talent-cultivating continuous curriculum series consisting of: 1) Introduction to AI Classical Translation, which establishes the conceptual framework and cultivates practical implementation skills; 2) multiple text-centered foundational courses that share a common educational philosophy, methodology, and technical infrastructure (CCTI, DB, XML, Wiki) but differ in text types and underlying disciplinary focus; and 3) curation-centered convergence courses that consolidate the outcomes of these classes into integrated knowledge systems[cite: 1, 2].

Ⅱ. Mission and Problem Statement

1. Shifting Environment of Classical Chinese Translation in the AI Era

With the advancement of artificial intelligence, the act of reading and translating Classical Chinese texts is no longer the exclusive domain of experts. An era is dawning where anyone interested can access and attempt to translate the classics with the aid of AI.

However, this transition implies a fundamental shift in the role and responsibility of translation, rather than the disappearance of Classical Chinese translation itself.

2. Redefining the Role of Classical Chinese Experts in the AI Era

Classical Chinese experts in the AI era are no longer simply “translators who convert Classical Chinese into modern vernacular.” Their new role is to ensure that the translations and interpretations generated by AI are accurate, verifiable, and scholarly reliable.

In other words, they are instructors who teach AI how to read the classics properly, and architects who design, verify, and accumulate the knowledge datasets that AI learns from.

“Classical Chinese Studies that teach artificial intelligence”—this is the core responsibility of Classical Chinese experts in the AI era.

3. Academic Nature of AI Classical Translation Studies

AI Classical Translation Studies is a newly emerging field of convergence that is rooted in traditional humanities (Classical Chinese Literature, History, Philosophy, Paleography, Art History, etc.) while integrating digital humanities, data structure design, and AI collaboration methodologies.

The AI Classical Translation Studies Program aims to systematically formalize this new academic domain within an educational curriculum for the first time.

Ⅲ. Educational Objectives

The AI Classical Translation Studies Program aims to cultivate talents with the following competencies:

• Cultivating AI-Collaborative Classical Chinese Interpretation Experts .... The capacity to critically review, emend, and refine AI-generated outputs.
• Building Capacities in Classical Knowledge Data Design and Curation .... The ability to produce structured classical knowledge datasets based on XML and databases.
• Contributing to a Reliable AI Ecosystem for Classical Knowledge .... Accumulating high-quality training datasets to develop Domain-Specific AI for Eastern Classics (Vertical Model AI).
• Training Research Personnel to Lead Public and Educational AI Utilization .... Producing AI humanities specialists capable of operating across education, research, and cultural heritage sectors.

Ⅳ. Target Audience

• Students and professors majoring in traditional humanities (Classical Chinese Literature, History, Philosophy, Paleography, Art History, etc.).
• Researchers interested in digital humanities and AI-humanities convergence research.
• Professionals working in museums, archives, and educational institutions handling classical materials.
• Developers of AI-based humanities educational content.

※ Prerequisites: Basic classical Chinese reading proficiency and ability to participate in computer-based practicums.

Ⅴ. Curriculum Configuration

1. Introduction to AI Classical Translation

• Introduction to AI Classical Translation: Exploring the World of Classical Chinese with AI (※ Course offered in the 1st Semester of 2026)

Understanding methods to enhance the depth and accuracy of Classical Chinese interpretation through collaboration with AI → Cultivating AI operation skills and data processing capabilities (Generative AI, XML, DB) to implement these methods + Strengthening foundational training in Classical Chinese literature essential for critiquing AI performance (verification training on punctuation, sentence structures, and terminology)

2. Text-Centered Foundational Courses

• AI Classical Translation - AI Translation and Curation of Inscriptions on East Asian Calligraphy and Paintings (※ Course offered in the 1st Semester of 2026)
• AI Classical Translation - AI Translation and Curation of Eastern Confucian Classics
• AI Classical Translation - AI Translation and Curation of Eastern Classical Prose
• AI Classical Translation - AI Translation and Curation of Historical Sources
• AI Classical Translation - AI Translation and Curation of Joseon Royal Protocols (Uigwe)
• AI Classical Translation - AI Translation and Curation of Korean Ancient Documents and Records

※ Common Course Operational Process for Text-Centered Foundational Courses
Selection of classical texts (Guided by domain experts) → Generation of AI interpretation data (Operating CCTI) → Critical review, emendation, and refinement by learners + Expert feedback
→ Refinement into structured data (XML/DB) → Wiki-based sharing and curation → Iterative improvement through AI feedback integration[cite: 1, 2]
A cyclical framework: AI Proposal → Human Judgment → Data Accumulation → AI Advancement[cite: 1, 2]
Defining the final outcome as structured knowledge data production rather than a mere translation product[cite: 1, 2]

3. Curation-Centered Convergence Courses

• AI Classical Translation - Ontology Compilation for Deploying Domain-Specific AI for Eastern Classics

→ An advanced stage integrating datasets accumulated from preceding courses into comprehensive conceptual frameworks and relational structures (ontologies)
A public educational model that transcends personal learning to actively contribute to the AI ecosystem

Ⅵ. Educational Environment and Core Tools

1. AI Collaboration Tools

• CCTI: Classical Chinese Text Interpreter (AI Assistant)
• CCTI Program Description and User Manual
• CCTI Data Structure and Format Specifications

※ CCTI (Classical Chinese Text Interpreter): A collaborative software that links LLM APIs, XML Processors, and DBMS to facilitate a step-by-step, procedural interpretation of Classical Chinese texts[cite: 1, 2]. The operational objective of this program is not simply to output translation results, but to help users comprehend the human-AI collaborative workflow and learn to produce human-verified, structured data in the process[cite: 1, 2].

2. Data and Technical Infrastructure

• Generative AI API - Database Interconnected Environment
• XML (Extensible Markup Language)
• DBMS (Database Management System)
• Wiki-based Knowledge Sharing and Curation Environment

The AI Classical Translation Studies Program is an educational experiment designed to ensure that the classical humanities do not diminish in the age of AI, but are instead reborn as the epicenter of new knowledge production[cite: 1, 2].

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