AI in literature, climate-proof roofs and ballet’s American pulse: culture’s defining week

AI’s literary reckoning: when algorithms meet the Goncourt Prize

The Académie Goncourt’s decision to withdraw Thélyson Orélien’s novel C’était ça ou mourir from its longlist last Friday sent shockwaves through the literary world. The book, praised by critics for its raw emotional power, was abruptly removed after an anonymous social media account claimed it was “almost entirely” generated by artificial intelligence. The accusation, which Orélien has denied, has ignited a debate about the boundaries of authorship in an era where AI tools are becoming increasingly accessible to writers.

The Goncourt Prize, France’s most prestigious literary award, has long been a bastion of human creativity. Its organisers framed the removal as a defence of “literature written by women and men,” a statement that underscores the tension between technological innovation and cultural tradition. Yet the incident raises uncomfortable questions: How do we define originality in a world where AI can mimic style, structure, and even emotion? And where does the line between assistance and authorship lie?

For now, the Académie has chosen caution over curiosity. But as AI-generated content proliferates—from poetry to screenplays—the literary establishment may soon be forced to confront a more fundamental question: Can a machine ever truly capture the human experience, or is it merely a sophisticated mimic?

Cool roofs, hot summers: how colour and coating are redefining climate adaptation

With an El Niño event intensifying in the Pacific, Australia is bracing for what could be its hottest summer on record. For homeowners like Nic Jacobson in Adelaide, the battle against rising temperatures is being fought not with air conditioning alone, but with a deceptively simple solution: reflective roof coatings. Jacobson’s two-storey home, once unbearable in the heat, now stays cool thanks to a coating that reflects sunlight rather than absorbing it. The result? Lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint.

The science behind “cool roofs” is straightforward. Traditional dark roofs absorb up to 90% of solar radiation, turning homes into ovens. Light-coloured or specially coated roofs, by contrast, reflect much of that heat away. In Australia, where urban heat islands exacerbate temperature extremes, the shift could have significant public health benefits. Yet adoption remains uneven, hindered by upfront costs and a lack of awareness.

As climate change accelerates, such low-tech adaptations are gaining traction. From green roofs in Europe to white-painted buildings in Mediterranean cities, the fight against heat is increasingly being waged at the level of architecture. For policymakers, the challenge is clear: How do we scale these solutions before the next heatwave strikes?

Ballet’s American revolution: English National Ballet’s rhythm riot

At Sadler’s Wells last night, English National Ballet (ENB) delivered a masterclass in how to blend tradition with innovation. Rhythm Riot, a triple bill inspired by Stravinsky, tap, and William Blake’s poetry, was a celebration of American dance—its grit, its showmanship, and its unapologetic energy. The centrepiece, George Balanchine’s Symphony in Three Movements, paid homage to the composer who shaped 20th-century ballet. But it was the company’s fearless embrace of rhythm that set the evening apart.

ENB’s artistic director, Tamara Rojo, has long championed the fusion of classical and contemporary styles. Rhythm Riot was no exception, with dancers moving between Balanchine’s precision and the raw vitality of mid-century Harlem dancefloors. The result was a performance that felt both timeless and urgently modern—a reminder that ballet, often seen as an art form frozen in time, is still evolving.

The evening also highlighted a broader trend: the growing influence of American choreography on British stages. As UK companies grapple with funding cuts and shifting audience tastes, ENB’s bold programming offers a blueprint for survival. By embracing global influences while staying true to its roots, the company is proving that ballet’s future lies in its ability to adapt.

What to watch: Austen, assassins, and a murder-solving editor

This weekend’s cultural calendar offers a study in contrasts. On BBC One tonight, Marble Hall Murders concludes Anthony Horowitz’s acclaimed mystery trilogy, with Lesley Manville returning as a book editor turned sleuth. The series, a love letter to classic whodunits, arrives as the genre enjoys a renaissance, with adaptations of Agatha Christie and Ruth Rendell dominating screens.

For filmgoers, the week brings two starkly different visions of femininity. Daisy Edgar-Jones stars in Sense and Sensibility, Georgia Oakley’s modern take on Jane Austen’s novel, which shifts the focus to the bond between sisters Marianne and Elinor. Meanwhile, Kill Jackie sees Catherine Zeta-Jones in a madcap action-comedy about a woman targeted by assassins—a far cry from Austen’s drawing-room dramas.

The juxtaposition speaks to a broader cultural moment: one where audiences crave both escapism and depth. Whether it’s the cerebral pleasures of a murder mystery or the visceral thrill of a chase, this weekend’s offerings prove that storytelling, in all its forms, remains a powerful antidote to uncertainty.