Artificial intelligence or the challenge of the century

Abstract

“Artificial Intelligence or the Challenge of the Century: Anatomy of a Radical Antihumanism" by Éric Sadin examines, from a phenomenology of artifacts perspective, the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and the challenges it poses. The author conceives AI as a global system composed of devices interconnected with beings and objects in the world, whose behavior is continuously monitored and digitally influenced through algorithms. Specifically, the power of this "algorithmic Leviathan" lies not only in its ability to handle vast amounts of information, rendering human minds dispensable, but also in its administration based on a numerical regime of truth. To comprehend this, Sadin introduces the concepts of "aletheic potency" and "kairos power." Aletheic potency refers to the persuasive capacity of AI to articulate "truths" that align with our preferences and expectations. On the other hand, kairos power enables AI to swiftly respond to its shortcomings through compensatory actions that minimize our dissatisfaction, thus keeping us captive within its infallible logic. In summary, the emergence of AI signifies a change in the status of technologies, challenging our relationship with the world, as it is expected to enunciate truth through automated interpretation of situations and make decisions on our behalf. This represents the stage of techno-logos of technique: not logos about technique produced by humans, but humans shaped by a technique capable of generating discourse or truth.