FANTASTIC REALMS
A I-NEVITABLE?
Alex Davis takes a look at artificial intelligence in science-fiction
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efore we begin, let’s make it absolutely clear – in terms of this piece, I’m not going to be talking at length about the implications of AI in writing today. Of course there are many, and like most writers I have some pretty strong opinions on the topic. With all that said, there are doubtless people with far more qualifications and expertise to discuss that one than me. So, for the purposes of this article, we will be exploring the world of AI within science-fiction itself, not any of its potential writing or research applications.
And while AI may be a relatively recent concern for many, as is so often the case science-fiction authors were ahead of the curve in their exploration and studies of the form in their stories. In this piece, we’re going to look at how AI has been featured within the world of sci-fi in the past, and where we might perhaps see it going forward…
The early days
If you think AI was a concern of just the 2000s, or even just the 1900s, you’d be wrong on both counts. The earliest book credited with exploring the idea is 1872’s Erewhon by Samuel Butler, where he explores the idea of intelligent, self-replicating machines essentially replacing humanity. Just a year later, George Eliot was exploring the same concept in Impressions of Theophrastus Such. And there is an argument to be made that the very first science-fiction novel – Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein – is also concerned with artificial life – and therefore perhaps artificial intelligence too?