Gregory Bateson, metalogues and artificial intelligence

Developing a serious playful practice for engaging with literature review

Bibliographic Data

ID12733065
AuthorsAlexios Brailas (0000-0002-2016-4438, Panteion University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Pages1-21
Publication date2026-03-18
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Research in Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1478-0887 • E-ISSN: 1478-0895
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14780887.2026.2643211
OpenAlexW7138957381
LanguageEN
References cited18

In this article, I explore the intersection of Bateson’s epistemology, particularly his concept of the metalogue, with the applications of generative AI. I propose a creative, reflective, and playful approach to initiating a literature review by developing AI-generated metalogues that mimic Bateson’s recursive and performative style. Drawing from systems thinking and Bateson’s concept of bioentropy, I discuss the potential of AI to facilitate deeper engagement with academic texts. Rather than positioning AI as either a threat or a panacea, I frame it as a relational tool, one that can scaffold understanding, provoke inquiry, and support metacognitive learning when used appropriately. I present a practical method for prompting AI to generate Batesonian metalogues and reflect on their advantages and limitations. Through this work, I argue that mindful, creative, and methodologically informed integration of AI in research and study activities can enhance the practice and teaching of qualitative research

Lived experience · Multimodality · Narrative · Phenomenology (philosophy · Qualitative research · Artificial Intelligence Applications · Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education · Digital Humanities and Scholarship

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