Pygmalion

The myth of Pygmalion and our current relationship with AI share parallels, how we view creation. In ancient Greece sculpture was at the very forefront of technology, and lifelike states often evoked a sense of awe and reverence. These works, used in religious rites, embodied both divine power and human aspiration, much like the Palaeolithic idols that were worshipped in the hopes of receiving protections; or fearing their potential wrath. This human impulse to recreate the human form has persisted throughout the ages. Today we attempt to recreate the human mind, often anthropomorphising these technologies, and frequently assigning them female characteristics. Like ancient gods or idols, AI is imbued with the potential to change the world for better or worse. We hope that AI will elevate humanity, yet there’s an underlying fear, much like that felt towards ancient idols, that it may be beyond our control and lead to our extinction.

This duality reflects our perennial struggle with creation: the desire to build something to serve us, while also confronting the risks. AI, like the idols of old, embodies both the hope for salvation and the dread of destruction.