Empowering or exploiting? Ethical Questions in the AI-Driven Digitization of Feminist Literary Archives

Abstract

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence in the field of digital humanities has opened new possibilities for preserving and accessing feminist literary archives. At the same time, it raises a pressing question: does AI serve as a tool of empowerment, or does it risk reinforcing existing inequalities in new forms? This paper explores the ethical dimensions of using AI technologies in the digitization and interpretation of feminist literary collections. Feminist archives are not merely repositories of texts; they carry voices shaped by struggle, resistance, and identity. When AI systems are used to organize, analyse, or curate these materials, the underlying algorithms may unintentionally reproduce biases embedded in historical data or dominant knowledge systems. The study reflects on how issues such as data ownership, representation, consent, and cultural sensitivity become central in this context. It also considers the risk of marginalizing already voices that are often ignored, when AI prioritizes patterns based on dominant narratives. At the same time, the paper acknowledges the empowering potential of AI in making feminist writings more visible, searchable, and globally accessible, especially for scholars and readers who were previously excluded. By critically examining both sides, this paper argues that the ethical use of AI in feminist literary archives requires careful human oversight, inclusive data practices, and a commitment to preserving the integrity of marginalized voices. Rather than viewing AI as inherently empowering or exploitative, the study suggests that its impact depends on how consciously and responsibly it is designed and applied.