Remember the Apple Intelligence commercial where a pile of instruments, paints, toys, statues and other creative tools and objects are crushed and flattened by a gigantic, ominous compression machine leaving only a tiny little iPhone as the result? Or the Google Gemini commercial where the father asks the AI to write a fan letter, on behalf of his young daughter, to a soccer player she admires rather than guiding her to write the letter herself?
These commercials were rightly pilloried after their respective releases, but to paraphrase an old adage, when the AI reveals its intentions, believe it. Apple and Google and other players in the AI rat race didn’t cease their desire to crush the human spirit with technological advancements designed to optimize and cheapen human ingenuity, explored and expressed through art and creativity. They merely learned not to demonstrate this objective in such a cavalier manner. They continue to push forward with the work.
In this dystopian vision of the future, humans will no longer feel the need to:
So what does that leave us with? What is the overall objective of the human condition and human spirit in the world of AI? Where are we to derive our inspiration, motivation, lust for life and will to live?
Contrary to the popular technosphere propaganda, AI does not seek to open up possibilities but to limit, restrict and confine them. It’s entire purpose, as evidenced by those early advertisements, is to optimize, refine, condense and simplify. Innovation and divine inspiration discovered through the process of creative expression and exploration will be the casualties if we allow it. We must remain motivated and inspired to create, celebrate and patronize human creation, and refuse to allow AI to kill and destroy this spirit within us - the only thing that gives us light and hope and binds us to the Holy Spirit, who’s own purpose and vision for us is clear and intentional.
Don’t settle for the perfectly optimized slop. Embrace the perfect imperfection of human creativity and divine inspiration that frees us from the singular and limited vision of the AI machine that seeks to steal our light.
“The thief only comes to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
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