From Creators to Cogs in AI's Machinery: Deleuze Perspective

Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari’s philosophical contemplations offer an insightful critique of our co-existence with the machinic world. Their theories, deeply embedded in the cracks of human desire and mechanical processes, provide a framework for understanding the AI-driven epoch we are engineering.

?The Zenith of Desiring-Machines

The concept of 'desiring-machines' in "Anti-Oedipus" (Deleuze & Guattari, 1972) resonates with the current AI development. Deleuze & Guattari depict a scenario where machines are not mere tools but integral elements of society, linked and interdependent - a notion reflected in the phrase "machines driving other machines" (Deleuze & Guattari, 1972, p. 1). AI systems embody human thought, desire, and collective consciousness. Humans become extensions of machines.

?AI and the Blurring of Boundaries

In "A Thousand Plateaus" Deleuze & Guattari (1980) address the increasingly hazy lines between such categories, as human and machine or organic and synthetic. This concept is particularly relevant in the context of artificial intelligence (AI). AI exemplifies a unique intersection where human ingenuity merges with mechanical efficiency, challenging traditional distinctions. Deleuze and Guattari describe this interaction as a process that fuses these different elements, effectively "coupling the machines together" (p. 2). This evolving relationship between humans and AI prompts us to rethink what it means to be human in an era where our lives are deeply interconnected with advanced technologies.

?Machinic Enslavement and Loss of Identity:

Deleuze's concept of 'machinic enslavement', takes on a new dimension in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). In this context, the human role within AI systems can be seen as increasingly instrumental. AI, by design, harnesses human-generated data – encompassing behaviours, preferences, and interactions – as a primary resource for its learning and evolution. This process, where AI systems refine their capabilities and knowledge based on human input, signifies a shift in the human-machine dynamic. Humans, once the creators and operators of technology, find aspects of their identity and agency becoming integrated into the AI's operational framework. In this interaction, the individual human 'I' risks being perceived as an 'it' – a data point or an input variable – within a complex technological network. This transformation highlights a fundamental change in how human roles are viewed and utilized in the advancement of AI technologies.

The exploration of Gilles Deleuze's philosophical concepts in the context of artificial intelligence reveals a significant transformation in the human-technology relationship. With AI systems evolving by utilizing human data and interactions, the traditional roles of creator and creation are being redefined. Humans are not just users or developers of AI but integral components of its learning and operational ecosystem. This shift raises tangible questions about the nature of human identity and agency in a world increasingly mediated by intelligent technologies. The concept of 'machinic enslavement' underlines a reality where human contributions are vital yet increasingly adapted into the AI systems, reconfiguring the boundaries between the human and the machine.

References

Deleuze, G., & Guattari, F. (1972). Anti-Oedipus: Capitalism and Schizophrenia. (R. Hurley, M. Seem, & H. R. Lane, Trans.). University of Minnesota Press. (Original work published 1972)

Deleuze, G., & Guattari, F. (1983). Anti-Oedipus: Capitalism and schizophrenia. University of Minnesota Press.