The Death of Humanity

When a creative becomes reliant on AI

The Fire of Rome, Hubert Robert, 1785

It is like no other, to create from nothing. To create something that so simply introduces itself as an idea, an image, a character, so innocently, almost shy, so unaware of how grand it could become. But you know in some capacity how worth it the idea is to pursue. Like gold in a chest, the explored idea beckons to be found, to be used for your own pleasure. The pursuit itself can become so obsessive that it becomes almost hedonistic . . .

Often I think back to the late nights of my youth, alone in my room, when the rest of the house was tucked in the bed of dreams. When there was only me, the moon and my laptop, sitting in wait on my duvet. The cursor would blink on a blank page in anticipation, and I wholeheartedly and completely obliged. I would indulge myself with that magical moment, high on the words I produced that not a soul knew I was capable of writing yet. My imagination expanded, and my room transformed into the very faraway land I had brought to life. A modern-day alchemist, I was on those nights, transmuting words into sensations and visions.

But what would artificial intelligence know about that?

There has been a lot of discourse in the writing community regarding the ethics behind using AI to help write their novels, and as opinionated as I am, this topic truly shows how my judgement knows no bounds. I would not consider it to be ableist or classist to hold the opinion that writers should use their God-given tools to write, to explore the depths of their own minds, and share the weight of their hearts because the consequence is far worse than a mass production of terrible art. But the generative software will sever the writer’s connection to the creative consciousness, and once our creation dies, so goes our humanity.

Pandemonium, John Martin, 1841

The Illusion of Fairness

The case presented for the usage of AI to write stories is weak. It advocates for those unpracticed (now referred to as disadvantaged) and undedicated to the craft to generate a story and call themselves an author. And to all those opposing, how dare you use your position of privilege to look down on the disadvantaged. This disadvantaged individual has much a right to be called an author as any organic writer does.

This is the illusion of fairness that is being promoted in this case. One that declares participation enough to be rewarded. In fact, less than participation is also rewarded in the name of such fairness. That is to say, to recognise mediocrity or less is fair because those participating are most likely destitute in some way. But under this disguise hides the truth of what happens when this mass acceptance is normalised, which is the eradication of ambition, persistence, passion, and discipline.

The very notion of this communistic equality in the creative world would mean the death of art itself. The death of desire to be the best artist, the best writer, the best innovative thinker the world has ever seen. It would mean to dismiss the impressive efforts of those who built our standard of art and of those who defined mastery. If we were to allow for a mass acceptance in all forms of art, there would be no accountability, and there would also be no praise where it is truly deserved. See, once we accept everything, nothing above average can be seen as magnificent, or impressive, or masterful because then it would be ableist. But a life without implemented standards to uphold is extremely disruptive, no matter how much one may like to intellectualise it otherwise. It is more than worth remembering that fairness is not rooted in truth, rather it is justice that is righteous.

The Impact of Storytelling

Mythologies speak to our psyches on a symbolic level. They have this amazing ability to cut through the barrier of the intellectualising brain and embed themselves deep into the subconscious mind, further enhancing all that we are.

Their abilities explore every aspect of human nature and naturally aim to morally guide us towards the greater good by instilling basic moral understandings of good and evil. Over time, this moral knowledge became inherent very quickly and as a result, created an avenue for storytelling to evoke our courage and enhance our strength, resilience, empathy, faith, and moral obligations. Mythologies provide so much insight that allows our thoughts to explore themselves, question reality, and draw conclusions.

So, the act of creating does more than develop the artistic skill; it holds the creator in charge of the above matters. Whether you write surface-level entertainment or deep philosophy, everything is conveyed in symbols, drawn from our inherent knowledge, which penetrates the subconscious minds of the reader. An important responsibility to have.

Now, the actual skill does more than tell an idea through the structure of a story. Our chosen language is what helps us convey tone, intention, persuasion, and will ultimately allow us to either wield or fall on the sword we hold. Our mastery of it will determine our fate. This is the artistic element of storytelling, which AI cannot replicate. It does not know the emotional value of an intentional word or depicted image. It does not and will never understand an experience that has never been articulated to it. It does not hold empathy, cannot share vulnerabilities, and therefore will never be able to kindle the fires of strength in the human soul.

The Triumph of Truth, Luigi Mussini, 1847

What AI Will Do to You

In an age where attention spans are shrinking and dopamine receptors have taken to an electric fence, it is understandable how many are trying to find shortcuts to receive the gratification they’re after. But they will never find it. Becoming reliant on AI will only deteriorate the writer’s capability and spirit. It will cause deep mistrust within oneself and disconnect the individual from the collective sense of the human experience. It disallows thinking—a practice that must be used; otherwise one would be rendered an empty shell, the prime candidate for manipulative forces.

If you are reliant on AI for your creative endeavours, then you must learn to trust your expression. You have forgotten the inherent capability you have as a natural storyteller. You must accept that, yes, you will learn through failure, but your efforts will be appreciated. Through struggle, you will find a community that will support you because there is nothing more connecting than vulnerability and persistence combined. As an army suffers in masses, they fight as one, leaning on the resolute heart each of them carries. AI knows nothing of this. AI can never know a sensation the same.

Many may not understand, but without art, humanity ends. It would erase creative thought, free thought, making the public reliant on the ideas of whoever is feeding the database. AI cannot inspire, it doesn’t have a heart to know anything about the reality of the human experience. So once you become reliant on it, you become it.

The Voyage of Life: Manhood, Thomas Cole, 1842

Skill is Not Privilege

Inclusivity is not what creates artists. A driving, all-consuming passion that borders the line of madness is what qualifies the creative to become a creator. So there should be no reward for the one who does not train to get it. Competition is not bad in this sense. When there are many after what is wanted, only the best deserves to win. This is the process of life, Darwin’s theory, and the role of true fairness. It is not fair to demean the passionate for their efforts when one without such ambition is given the title for participation.

To have skill is not a privilege; it is something that is forged through practice and time, something that can be taught, and if writing is truly the passion of the individual, they will do anything to dedicate themself to the craft. There is no need for any creative to turn to AI and let it rummage through its database in search of already-produced works to chop and apply to a new project.

Creativity is what separates man from machine; it is what separates us from the animals. It is what connects us to God. It is a superpower each of us possesses that grants the ability to transmute feelings and experiences and turn them into works of art. It creates emotions from a glance, it ignites hope through a string of words, it brings forth what we cannot understand and translates it into the universal language of the soul.

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I’m a freelance book editor whose biggest dream is to help you achieve yours. Visit my website to find out more about my editing and coaching services.