Ken Liu on AI, Daoism, and Freedom

Human nature and technology are inherently co-evolutionary, with AI serving as a new medium for substantiating mental constructs rather than a replacement for human consciousness. While the proliferation of AI-generated content creates a world saturated with "slop," this mirrors historical shifts like mechanical reproduction, which ultimately expanded artistic possibilities. The genuine threat lies in the systemic reduction of human initiative into standardized, machine-like labor, exemplified by exploitative practices in the Golden Triangle. Ken Liu, author of *All That We See or Seem*, argues that science fiction functions as a mythological tool for exploring present-day anxieties rather than as a predictive mechanism. By reclaiming Daoist principles of freedom and skepticism toward language-based illusions, individuals can resist the commodification of their attention and maintain the pursuit of authentic wisdom beyond the reach of algorithmic intelligence.