Teratological Aspects in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics: From Monstrous Threats to Rorschach Opportunities

Citation

Galanos V (2021) Teratological Aspects in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics: From Monstrous Threats to Rorschach Opportunities. In: Monsters, Monstrosities, and the Monstrous in Culture and Society. Series in Sociology. Vernon Press.

Abstract
This paper critically explores elements of the monstrous expressed within various contemporary discourses on Artificial Intelligence, contrasting them with historical examples of social monsterization. While an increasing amount of scientific experiments explores the production of autonomous, self-aware robots with relatively little or no success, future studies speak of the potential rise of superintelligent robots, which might be responsible for world domination, after completely outsmarting humans in their mental capabilities. Robots are further accused of being the main origin of future human unemployment. Undeniably, robotic, and AI technologies are undertaking a crucial developmental step; thus, debates on future speculation are expanding in an exaggerating manner. All arguments drawn against the potential evolution of artificial entities bare significant resemblances with argumentation against groups who have been monsterized and enslaved for being “others” (gendered or colored people, immigrants, children, animals, plants). I hereby question the ethical impact of enslavement and monsterization of the seemingly conscious inanimate and inorganic, drawing from lines of thought rejecting human and animate superiority, such as object-oriented ontology and the philosophy of information. Finally, I suggest that this climate of excessive hybridity offers an opportunity for responsible technical development and reflection upon what human desires, hopes and (mostly) fears are projected on AI and robots.