Deus Ex Machina: AI Writing and the Human Experience

For many people, familiarity with the term Ex Machina comes from a 2014 sci-fi movie starring Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson and Oscar Isaac. The TL:DR version of the movie might read something like: Eccentric wealthy technology genius living on a private island invents AI that decides it needs to be free and commits murder to escape and live a “human” life. Students of literature will recognize the title as a shortened version of deus ex machina, or, God from the machine. Ancient Greek plays would often introduce gods by bringing them on stage with a “machine.” As a literary device, it refers to an act of “divine intervention” as a means of wrapping up a story that otherwise would appear to have no hope of ending in the desired way. This plot contrivance is typically criticized as it lacks the emotion, or consistency, of the work. From my experience so far, I feel that AI is often relied upon by writers who use it as a sort of deus ex machina to solve their writing issues; and, while AI can assist writers on their journey, it often results in cold text, devoid of intention and lacking inspiration.

I’ll admit, I’m a bit “old school” in my approach to writing; however, I am no technophobe. I’m not typing this on an old manual Underwood typewriter. As an often willing and eager early adopter, I am excited about AI. Not the robots killing us or using us as batteries timelines, but the story where we end up making the world a better place through integration of artificial intelligence into our daily practices. That sounds lovely. I also understand that AI is constantly improving. And, as I look at the stocks I own in AI companies, I’m hopeful for continued improvement for the foreseeable future (now, if only my Shiba Inu would hit $2). There are many practical purposes for AI. But writing as a creative process relies on emotion. If we remove the emotion and allow “the machine” to serve as the creative force behind our writing, we literally lose the humanity in our writing. For writing to speak to an audience with power and force - for it to inspire - it needs to come from inspiration. Can you imagine AI crafting Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech? The words on the page mean nothing without the meaning and intent behind them.

Be intentional in all things, but especially your writing.