If 2023 is remembered for a single event, it will undoubtedly be the rise of Artificial Intelligence. The year saw the unprecedented explosion of AI tools, including ChatGPT, Dall-E, and other fringe startups that became household names in a matter of months. While the capabilities of these products are indeed miraculous, the rapid growth of AI—and its increasingly convincing work—has worried many. Such technology has already rendered some jobs obsolete, notably in the economics and marketing fields. Further, the ability of a computer program to write a convincing original essay on any topic or to create an image of whatever the user can imagine is both fascinating and terrifying. While benefits to Artificial Intelligence certainly exist, it is important to acknowledge the potential negative impacts it could have, as this technology will forever change the world and undoubtedly alter culture. If writers, artists, and musicians become obsolete, it would pose an existential threat to the integrity and continuation of Western Civilization.
In late 2022, news outlets began publishing articles about a new AI tool known as Dall-E created by the startup OpenAI. The program turns any text into a generated image. Initially, Dall-E produced primitive and sometimes grotesque results. Anomalies such as contorted faces or unnatural looking plants made it obvious to a casual observer which images were generated by a computer. Journalists agreed that, while generative AI was an interesting concept, it would not reach such a level of realism as to pose a threat to information or replace jobs and artists. A few months later, however, the release of ChatGPT, also developed by OpenAI, rekindled these fears. ChatGPT’s ability to generate polished, lengthy, and well-written copy in a matter of seconds shocked the world. Due to its wide availability, the use of the tool quickly became a concern. Students used the program to complete assignments, companies employed it to create marketing copy, and publications realized authors were using AI to compose articles. It was unthinkable that something so uniquely human as the written word could be learned and replicated by a computer program. In the early stages of ChatGPT, it was possible to develop tools to detect AI anomalies in work. However as 2023 progressed and generative AI programs were refined, it became nearly impossible to differentiate between writing done by a human and a computer. AI art and music are still in their relatively early stages, but judging by the fast improvement of ChatGPT, they are not far behind in producing results virtually indistinguishable from reality.
The cultural impacts of AI can already be felt. During the recent Israel-Hamas war, a photo posted by a major news network went viral featuring a young Palestinian girl in a pile of rubble holding a cat. Naturally, this image shocked its viewers. However, it was quickly noticed that the cat had five legs, pointing to the image’s artificial source. This is just one example of a growing problem—the employment of AI for propaganda. In recent months, newer generations of AI models have been able to produce images with virtually no discernible flaws. It is becoming more and more difficult to differentiate between an authentic photograph and a generated image. This presents a dangerous reality: an entirely convincing yet false narrative could be developed and sold to the public as fact. This would pose a grave threat to reliable information, election integrity, and public thought. If one group could control the majority of AI and media, they could, in effect, alter perceived reality.
Of course, the ability of a computer to generate realistic writing, music, and art has instigated an important cultural conversation about the role of creatives in society and the value inherent to inspiration and creation. While it is undeniable that AI generations are incredible, these creations lack something when compared to their human counterparts, no matter how convincing they may be. Because it lacks a soul, AI cannot replicate true human creativity regardless of how “smart” it becomes. The true purpose of art is to connect humanity with the divine. In marveling at the wonders of creation, people are inspired to create in turn. In a person’s pursuit of beauty, they produce their own through art, music, and literature. Therefore, while AI can produce results similar to human creations, it is only a parody—Artificial Intelligence can never produce the meaning inherent to great artistic works. Humans will continue to write, paint, and compose because it is human nature to experience and create something more than themselves.
I do not believe AI will ever replace human creativity or minimize the importance of original human work. However, I do believe that it has a real possibility of stunting people’s desire to create. It could, in a sense, become the artistic equivalent of pornography. Just as porn provides easy access to a false sense of intimacy, ruining real relationships in the process, so too could AI provide an easy way to create something without real creativity. If one could merely type in a few words to produce a piece of art or a symphony, why bother developing skills or investing the time required to master painting and composing? Psychology suggests that humans almost always gravitate towards ease over quality. It can be assumed, therefore, that the simplicity of utilizing AI for creative tasks and the time savedin doing so will be irresistible, regardless of the fact that a computer program could never generate anything with true meaning and depth.
So, how are we to respond to this? AI holds a major place in our culture now and will not be going away. Still, with Artificial Intelligence advancing so rapidly, it is difficult to predict what its ultimate effect will be on society and on humanity at large. However, the seemingly apocalyptic implications of this technology are not so abysmal when viewed from a Christian perspective. God made man with a soul and, thus, the ability to pursue theosis. Humans are made to share in the Nature of the Holy Trinity. This includes the nature of creation. Music, art, and writing in their purest forms will always be holy to God as they are a part of His gift to mankind by which we may experience a similar joy of creation. When viewed in this light, the question of the possibility of AI overtaking human creativity becomes almost irrelevant. At their intrinsic values, AI and human creativity serve two completely different purposes: artificial intelligence can only aid or parody human work; human work has a divine purpose.
As we navigate this transformative era of Artificial Intelligence, it is important to consider both the remarkable advancements and potential dangers this technology brings. The rapid development of tools such as Dall-E and ChatGPT has already impacted various aspects of society and inspired important conversations surrounding the value of human work and creation. However, with the right moral framework and understanding, AI could usher in a “new renaissance” of sorts and lead to a new frontier for Western Civilization. It is up to us to decide if this is the path we take.
