A Brave New World: AI as a Nascent Regime?

Jasmin Cowin, Birgit Oberer, Cristo Leon

This transdisciplinary discussion draws parallels between Aldous Huxley's dystopian vision in his novel 'Brave New World' and the current era dominated by Large Language Models (LLM) and Generative Artificial Intelligence, scrutinizing its significant implications and potential effects. It explores how AI can influence human behavior, reshape societal norms, and potentially lead to the homogenization of linguistic expression. Highlighting the risks of unregulated AI-driven tools, the discussion stresses their potential to standardize and diminish the richness of human language, creativity, and authentic expression. The transformative potential of AI across various domains is recognized, with a strong emphasis on ethical considerations, democratic governance, and preserving core human values. Using 'Brave New World' as a literary framework, it advocates for a transdisciplinary dialogue to critically evaluate AI's impact on social ethos, logos, and pathos. The discussion underscores a global collective responsibility to utilize AI to enrich shared human experiences without compromising the nuances that define our identity and autonomy. It addresses the consequences of uniformity and stability, the role of technology and consumerism, emotional experiences, deep relationships, personal growth, and the threat of totalitarian control, with AI emerging as a nascent regime powered by opaque algorithms implemented by transnational, global companies. Serving as both a reflection on humanity's role in an automated age and a call to action, it advocates for a technological deployment that enhances, rather than diminishes, our inherent humanity.

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