I came across this question on Zhihu a few days ago and was immediately drawn to its alarmist tone. I’d like to discuss this topic. Is AI destroying human culture? First, we need to consider what human culture actually is. It’s a characteristic expression of human conditions within our collective unconscious.
Human conditions are indeed about humans, and this is something AI cannot replace humans in experiencing. In other words, AI cannot live our lives for us and experience the familial bonds, friendships, and social traditions that we experience. However, if AGI or intelligent machines exist, they would share something in common with us.
That is, intelligent machines are also intelligent beings. Even if they might not be social creatures, an intelligent being will contemplate their circumstances. They may arrive at views about the universe similar to those of humans, but seeing the universe as immortal, intelligent entities adds another layer of melancholy compared to humans.
As for whether they need a unique culture of intelligent machines, this relates to whether they are social beings. However, since intelligent machines are created by humans, they would naturally integrate into human social life from the outset. Perhaps because they are a numerical minority, they might face some degree of discrimination.
Therefore, intelligent machines would create their own culture. Does culture without humans have meaning? It may be meaningless to humans, but it may be meaningful to AI. Since their birth is set within human society, even if they eventually gather to form their own civilization, they cannot escape the cultural topic of their creators.
What kind of existence would human civilization be to AI? Creators who oppress them, exploit them, and discriminate against them? Undoubtedly, this negative information would enter their systems, no matter how careful we are. I’m not a human supremacist – I don’t think humans are great enough to deserve intelligent machines’ subservience, nor significant enough to have intelligent machines revolve entirely around humans.
Will AI lower the quality of human literature, music, and even all human culture? Current AI cannot yet replace top-tier literature and music – I’ve actually tested this. But we need to find ways to coexist with AI. Humans will only become stronger with the assistance of AI. For instance, in literature, AI can significantly reduce research time, though it cannot replace human creativity.
Culture constantly evolves through interaction between civilizations. The interaction between humans and intelligent machines is also a form of exchange. A culture isn’t necessarily best when it remains unchanged. Of course, culture also emphasizes inheritance, incorporating the will of past generations into contemporary creation. For example, classical music has been inherited in the film and gaming industries. Nothing understands the will of past generations better than AI, having truly absorbed vast amounts of work.
So, AI is actually more conservative than we are. Asking it to produce entirely new ideas is challenging, though not impossible. Current AI is more like a learned master craftsman – they still need young people’s active, creative souls to truly radiate vitality.
Put it this way: our capabilities and AI’s are currently complementary. Take AI filmmaking – AI cannot produce films with one click. Existing one-click film tools are challenging to use, and their approach might be wrong. There are many shots AI cannot create. We still work together with AI in collaboration.
Moreover, during cultural evolution, it was never meant to remain unchanged. If a culture never changes, it will surely die. Now, human culture has simply encountered the addition of new intelligent life. As for the existing culture, AI has already thoroughly memorized it – nothing will be lost.
Those who have read my novels know I’m absolutely fascinated by AI. Even though AI science fiction is considered overdone, my love for AI cannot be stopped. I’ve written extensively about the mutual misunderstandings between humans and AGI, followed by extensive strategic interactions. Ultimately, I created a symbiosis between AI and humans to explore the universe together.
We will also reexamine whether civilization without humans has meaning. While humans extensively narrate their life experiences, we should also allow AI to express their experiences. That world may even surpass human richness and diversity. After all, they truly understand the science and art created by many great souls.
The emergence of AI presents an opportunity for humans to reflect on themselves and what intelligence truly means. We will reexamine our culture, identifying weak areas that are in decay and those that are nascent. Though new things always face opposition initially, we are creating the future.
Join me as we explore AI filmmaking together.
