Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Creativity
The Case for Authentic Human Ingenuity
“Artificial Intelligence” (AI) has become a prevalent yet meaningless term. It is a lie and a widely misunderstood concept. Just as energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transformed. Nothing can emerge from nothingness. Ai cannot create anything truly original. Artificial Intelligence, at its core, is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.
Between 1971 and 1972, I studied “Automation” in Kiel, Germany, focusing on programming with Fortran 4 and data analysis. Without data, no processes can initiate; similarly, without programming, the only result is errors. Artificial intelligence doesn’t emerge independently; rather, it serves as a tool to infinitely manipulate and reconfigure data to achieve various outcomes as designed. Artificial, the word itself means that it is not natural and therefore created by humans or some being. Intelligence requires a spark of curiosity. Without that spark of curiosity, there can be no natural intelligence.
The Myth of AI Creativity
To argue that AI is creative is to overlook the foundational mechanics of how AI operates. AI systems are programmed by human engineers and learn from datasets that are created, selected, and curated by humans. Every output that is generated by AI, no matter how original it may appear, all trace back to input that has been derived from human creativity. The creativity attributed to AI is, in essence, just a reflection of human ingenuity mirrored through sophisticated algorithms.
For instance, consider AI in the arts, such as AI painting or music composition. The systems used in these fields rely on deep learning models that have been trained on countless pieces of human-created art and music. When an AI composes a piece of music that stirs emotion or creates a painting that mesmerizes, it doesn’t demonstrate original creativity but rather recombines elements it has learned from its training data in ways that adhere to human-defined criteria of what is aesthetically pleasing or emotionally moving. That’s it!
The Indispensable Spark of Human Creativity and Curiostity in the Age of AI
Currently, there is a real fear that AI will replace many jobs and is just as widely debated as the perceived creativity that AI can present. Even now many jobs have been replaced by AI even without us being aware of these subtle changes within business and even the economic markets. As we navigate the complexities of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various facets of society, the discourse often revolves around efficiency, optimization, and functionality. However, a crucial component that AI cannot replicate or replace is the inherent spark of curiosity and human creativity. This unique attribute distinguishes human intelligence from artificial intelligence and underscores the irreplaceable value of human thought in a technology-driven world.
Understanding Human Curiosity and Creativity
Human creativity is not merely the ability to generate something new; it is the breath of life given to anything that we create and embodies the capacity to imagine, innovate, and infuse emotion and meaning into our creations. It involves connecting disparate ideas, rethinking existing solutions, and envisioning possibilities that extend beyond the current reality. Creativity is deeply rooted in human experiences, emotions, and cognitive processes that AI, despite its computational prowess, cannot authentically replicate.
The Digital Leash
There is a growing sentiment that technologies like the internet and social media serve not just as platforms for communication and information, but as sophisticated tools for societal manipulation. These digital arenas are often viewed as mechanisms through which the masses can be monitored, misled about real issues, and subtly coerced into supporting personal and political agendas. This belief stems from a perception of the internet as a double-edged sword—while it can democratize information, it also holds the potential to disseminate misinformation and shape public opinion under the guise of neutrality. AI is just an extension of this concept as it guides and directs human beliefs and entrenches our thoughts into increasingly fanatical concepts.
Psychological Manipulation through Digital Platforms
Critics argue that the very infrastructure of these platforms is designed to exploit psychological vulnerabilities, capture attention, and influence behaviour through algorithms that prioritize engagement over truth. This manipulation is not merely incidental but a fundamental feature of how these platforms are engineered to profit from user data and attention. The consequence is a populace that is often engaged with trivial or emotionally charged content, potentially at the expense of more substantive, civic, or critical engagement.
The Puppet Masters
Moreover, there is a darker theory held by some: that governing bodies are essentially marionettes, their strings pulled by shadowy elites who wield the power. According to this view, these unseen forces use technology to orchestrate a psychological environment where fear, uncertainty, and division make populations easier to control. By keeping society in a perpetual state of fear—triggering the primal fight-or-flight response—these elites can maintain dominance. This manipulation is thought to be facilitated by the relentless pace and emotional intensity of information flow on digital platforms, which can keep individuals in a heightened state of alertness and anxiety. AI can be used in the same way, and we should be aware of the dangers of this.
Ethical and Philosophical Implications
The advancement of AI also brings to light ethical and philosophical questions about the nature of creativity and the role of human agency. As we develop AI technologies, it is crucial to engage in ongoing ethical discussions to ensure these tools are used in ways that respect human dignity and promote cultural and creative diversity. Philosophical inquiry into what makes us human and the value we place on creative expressions can help guide the responsible development and implementation of AI technologies.
The Future of AI and Human Curiosity and Creativity
While AI may be able to simulate aspects of human creativity and produce work that mimics creative thought, its capabilities are fundamentally a mirror of human intelligence and creativity. It fundamentally lacks curiosity, an inherently human quality. AI can also be a tool to subjugate the masses and control of information is a key factor in society today.
The future of AI can only be viewed as a tool rather than a replacement for human curiosity and creativity. We can’t put the genie back in the bottle without three wishes as they say. So, as we develop AI technologies, our focus should be on enhancing our abilities and ensuring that AI remains a tool completely governed by human creativity, and in no way should be a substitute.
What is most striking about meeting Dr. Schellhammer beyond his pleasant and polite manner; youthful disposition or passionate and sincere views on humanity and the planet, is his unshakable conviction that the world needs a new pioneering education. But exactly who is Dr. Schellhammer? Is he a Philosopher, an expert on Human Matters, a Psychologist, a prolific author of titles from psychology to politics and economics, an educator, or a visionary with a profound and beneficial insight into the human condition? The answer is that he is all that and more. In different age he would have been called a polymath, and probably kept close company with those giants of The Age of Enlightenment, like Jean Jacques Rousseau, Thomas Payne, perhaps even Thomas Jefferson.