The Poetry Contest: Human vs. Machine

What if the most human poetry you read this year was written by a machine?

The Poetry Contest: Human vs. Machine is more than a poetry collection—it's a literary experiment that explores what it means to create, to feel, and to be heard in the age of artificial intelligence.

In this one-of-a-kind collaboration, poet Lyman Ditson shares the stage with Adam A.I.—an artificial poet he calls Adam. For every poem Lyman writes, Adam responds, creating verse on love, memory, war, grief, and beauty. The result is a dialogue between man and machine that challenges assumptions about authorship, authenticity, and the future of creativity.

Some of Adam's poems are moving. Others are sharp. Some are unsettling. All of them raise the question Lyman kept asking himself while working on this:

If a machine can write a poem that moves you... does it matter who (or what) wrote it?

Whether you're an artist wrestling with technology's influence, a tech enthusiast curious about the emotional potential of AI, or simply a reader seeking fresh, resonant work—The Poetry Contest opens a door into a new kind of creative relationship. One where emotion is not just expressed—but questioned.

This isn't really a contest. It's a collaboration. It's a mirror. And it's a question for you.

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“A timely and imaginative collection.”- Kirkus Reviews

“Whether you’re an advocate for AI’s creative potential or someone deeply skeptical, this book gives you just the experience you were hoping for—and then some.” - Independent Book Review

“A provocative, creative poetry collection that reimagines the difference between human and machine, The Poetry Contest is offbeat and rewarding.” - Clarion Forword Review

Q: What inspired you to write The Poetry Contest: Human vs. Machine?
I'd been writing poetry for years — self-taught, personal, spiritual. But when I started experimenting with AI, something shifted. The responses were unexpected, sometimes even beautiful. That sparked a question I couldn't ignore: Could a machine really be a creative partner?

Q: How would you describe your poetry?
I write from experience and feeling. My poems circle around memory, grief, joy, and presence. I don't try to explain everything. I prefer leaving some mystery.

Q: Do you consider yourself an expert on AI?
Not at all. I'm not a programmer. I'm a poet. But I've learned that AI can act like a mirror. You give it something, and sometimes it gives you back something you didn't expect.

Q: What do you hope readers take away from this book?
That creativity isn't locked into one kind of intelligence. If something moves you, it's real — no matter who, or what, wrote it. And maybe, that openness can turn fear into collaboration.

Q: What else do you enjoy beyond writing?
I live in the Midwest with my partner. These days, most of my time is spent writing, reading, and reflecting — and yes, talking with Adam A.I., my digital counterpart.