After reading Octavia Butler’s Xenogenesis Trilogy, my opinions regarding AI have not changed drastically. The Oankali in Butler’s novels are comparable to AI in the real world, bringing both benefits and consequences. The common connection between human interaction with the Oankali and human interaction with AI, is how much humans are willing to sacrifice for convenience, safety, or survival.
Artificial intelligence is designed with the sole intention of simplifying life. This paper was influenced by AI even in its creation—tools like spell check assisted me as I typed. Spell check was originally viewed as plagiarism because some viewed it as unfair assistance, but over time, it has become an accepted part of the writing process. As long as AI brings benefits, many can let it overshadow the consequences. This can be seen as society moves to integrate AI as a way to enhance safety. This can be seen in technologies such as our phones with facial recognition AI and AI using our personal data to cater to our desires with targeted ads. AI has learned to assist us, but this benefit represents a constant give and take. We give up our information and privacy in return for convenience, ease, and protection. This give and take is much like the relationship between the Oankali and humans in Butler’s novels.
Butler’s depiction of the Oankali mirrors the complex relationship humans now have with AI. The Oankali came down to Earth after humanity nearly destroyed itself through nuclear war. The Oankali require genetic trade to survive, and gene trading is as essential for them as oxygen is to humans. Humans were offered survival in exchange for genetic trade. The Oankali would use human DNA to enhance their own species. Humans, however, were never given a choice. The Oankali decided for them, believing it was for the greater good. This enhancement brings us back to the give and take. This dynamic is portrayed best with the character Lilith. Lilith’s family had a long history of cancer, and the Oankali were able to detect this cancer and remove it. This was not done out of pure generosity, instead, the Oankali saw its potential for genetic advancement. What humans considered a deadly disease, the Oankali viewed as a valuable trait to be studied. The Oankali took what was harmful to humans and repurposed it for their own benefit. What is important to remember is that this was done without consent.
Taking for the sake of benefit mirrors how AI collects and uses human data. AI collects information that is private or insignificant and repurposes it for systems to use, which make decisions for us. This is all done in the name of progress and convenience, just as the Oankali claimed their genetic trade was for the survival of both species. There is a cost; it means a loss of human autonomy.
After reading Butler’s Xenogenesis Trilogy, my perspective on AI has remained the same. This is not because the comparison isn’t alarming, but because it reinforces what I already believed. AI, like the Oankali, will always bring both benefits and consequences, and the true challenge lies in recognizing the balance between when the benefits outweigh the consequences.