Meghan O'Gieblyn, a thought-provoking author known for exploring the intersection of humanity and technology, joins to dissect AI's role in creativity. They question whether creativity is a uniquely human trait or if machines can also claim artistic prowess. The conversation touches on how AI tools like ChatGPT influence personal expression and challenges our understanding of the written word. O'Gieblyn emphasizes the importance of human intent in art, while also contemplating the emotional depth that AI-generated creations might lack.

Will AI change what it means to be human? Sean Illing talks with essayist Meghan O'Gieblyn, author of God, Human, Animal, Machine, a book about how the way we understand human nature has been interwoven with how we understand our own technology. They discuss the power of metaphor in describing fundamental aspects of being human, the "transhumanism" movement, and what we're after when we seek companionship in a chatbot.Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray AreaGuest: Meghan O'Gieblyn, essayist; authorReferences:  God, Human, Animal, Machine: Technology, Metaphor, and the Search for Meaning by Meghan O'Gieblyn (Anchor; 2021) The Age of Spiritual Machines by Ray Kurzweil (Penguin; 1999) The Sociology of Religion by Max Weber (1920) "Facing Up to the Problem of Consciousness" by David Chalmers (1995) The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind by Julian Jaynes (1976) "Routine Maintenance" by Meghan O'Gieblyn (Harper's; Jan. 2022) "Babel" by Meghan O'Gieblyn (n+1; Summer 2021) The Society of Mind by Marvin Minsky (Simon & Schuster; 1986) Job (Old Testament), 38:1 – 42:6 "The Google engineer who thinks the company's AI has come to life" by Nitasha Tiku (Washington Post; June 11, 2022) The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1880) "Will AI Achieve Consciousness? Wrong Question" by Daniel Dennett (WIRED; Feb. 19, 2019) Enjoyed this episode? Rate The Gray Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.Subscribe for free. Be the first to hear the next episode of The Gray Area. Subscribe in your favorite podcast app.Support The Gray Area by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcastsThis episode was made by:  Producer: Erikk Geannikis Engineer: Patrick Boyd Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Walter Scheirer, a computer scientist at Notre Dame and author, Megan O’Gieblyn, a writer examining technology and philosophy, and Sougwen Chung, an artist collaborating with AI, delve into the limits and capabilities of artificial intelligence. They discuss whether AI can possess consciousness or creativity, and explore the implications of deep fakes on society. The trio also contemplates the future of AI in art and examines the emotional connections humans form with technology, raising profound questions about its role in our lives.