Andy Weir, author of The Martian and Project Hail Mary, is an influential voice in sci-fi, but his new take on the future of AI is bound to spark controversy. Always on the cutting edge of the intersection between technology and literature, Weir uses his background in computer programming to craft novels that are as scientifically accurate as possible, even if real science hasn’t quite caught up yet. He’s written some of the best hard sci-fi books in recent years. It’s no surprise that a writer who’s always looking toward the future has been thinking a lot about AI.
While many authors have been public about their fears regarding AI, warning about the dangers of artificial intelligence replacing humans, Weir believes this might be inevitable. As a writer with such a strong background in technology, Weir is engaging with AI as the next phase of scientific evolution. In an interview with SlashFilm, he mentioned feeling grateful that he became a writer when he did, because AI has become so prevalent (via IGN).
“Honestly, I think I’m lucky that I ended up being a writer right when I did, because I might be among the last generation of fully human writers.”
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“Honestly, I think I’m lucky that I ended up being a writer right when I did, because I might be among the last generation of fully human writers.”
Weir thinks that the time when all books were written by people is past now that AI is everywhere, and it’s so easy for the technology to come up with new ideas. To Weir, it looks like the next generation of emerging writers will have to compete with artificial intelligence within the literary landscape.
Despite the many negative responses to AI infiltrating literature, media, and storytelling, Weir doesn’t think that this is a mechanism that can be stopped. His first book, The Martian, was published in 2011. This might not seem like too long ago, but fifteen years ago AI still seemed like a far-flung technology of the future. In this interview, Weir confirmed that when it comes to AI, his position is that it won’t go away any time soon, or maybe ever.
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However, Weir isn’t taking a totally bleak stance on AI’s future. The writer believes that a large part of AI’s future depends on people and the way they decide to use the technology. Though artificial intelligence is an extremely powerful tool, Weir seems to be stating that it shouldn’t be viewed as anything other than that: a tool. It’s intimidating to think that Weir could be correct, saying that AI isn’t going anywhere, but he believes that there is some hope in the ways that people choose to wield its power.
Weir gave a rather extreme example of how it’s in the power of humanity to decide how AI is used, saying,
“In the end, if I give you a hammer, you can build a house or you can murder someone. It’s not the tool that’s the issue; it’s the user.”
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“In the end, if I give you a hammer, you can build a house or you can murder someone. It’s not the tool that’s the issue; it’s the user.”
There are many examples of science fiction books, TV shows, and movies that agree with Weir. With so much still unknown about how AI will change the shape of the future, it’s interesting to hear how authors like Weir, who contemplate advanced science all the time, view the coming wave of artificial intelligence becoming more normalized.
There’s been a lot of speculation about what Weir’s next book will be about since his statements about AI make it clear he’s interested in the subject. In an interview with ScreenRant, it was revealed that Weir’s upcoming book won’t be about AI. While it’s still uncertain when Weir’s next project will be published, the author has become even more popular thanks to the massive success of the film adaptations of his books.
Though AI won’t be Andy Weir’s next muse, it’s safe to say the writer feels sure that it’s here to stay. As AI continues to be a part of the sci-fi conversation, authors will have to determine how they want to integrate the subject into their work.