This article examines the impact of generative AI on contemporary notions of authorship and creative production, situating these developments within broader theoretical frameworks. Through case studies of two projects—AI Wordsworth, an interactive virtual rec reation of the Romantic poet, and RENO, an experimental science fiction film utilising AI in its production—the article explores how generative AI is enabling new forms of human-machine collaboration and distributed creativity. Drawing on book history scholarship and theories of the ‘social text’, it argues that the integration of AI in literary and artistic practices necessitates a reconsideration of romantic ideals of sole authorship, moving towards more collaborative, technologically mediated models of creative expression. The article examines the opportunities and challenges presented by AI-assisted authorship, including questions of authenticity, creative control and ethical implications. It calls for the development of critical frameworks and ethical guidelines for the responsible use of generative AI in creative contexts, emphasising the importance of human agency. The article posits that by embracing AI as part of the larger assemblage of social and material factors shaping cultural production, while remaining attentive to its limitations, we can harness its potential to enable new forms of creativity and cultural expression.