In the context of the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, philosopher Éric Sadin expresses a sharp critique in his new book, « The Desert of Ourselves. » This book examines the profound implications of AI on our societies, where a hegemonic pseudo-language and the proliferation of deepfakes are transforming our perception of the world. Sadin warns that the automation of intellectual tasks could compromise our relationship with the world, raising a necessary and urgent question about the future of our humanity.The Illusion of Artificial Intelligence: Éric Sadin Denounces the Emptiness of Our HumanityIn his powerful essay « The Desert of Ourselves, » philosopher Éric Sadin explores the exponential impact of artificial intelligence on our societies. He warns of the dangerous illusions this technology induces and highlights the threat it poses to democracy and our essential relationship with the world. Through a critical and in-depth analysis, Sadin emphasizes the importance of recognizing the perils of ubiquitous digital technologies while calling for urgent and collective reflection. The Emergence of Technological Illusion In his book, Éric Sadin describes artificial intelligence as an initially promising tool that has become a creator of illusions that massively influences our daily lives. Beyond being a simple technological advance, AI fundamentally changes the way we perceive and interact with the world. It generates what Sadin calls a pseudo-language which, thanks to its proliferation, is tending to become hegemonic, gradually replacing authentic human communications with automated interactions. The Proliferation of Deepfakes One of the major concerns raised by Sadin is the disconcerting ease of creating fake images, called deepfakesThese technologies make it increasingly difficult to determine the origin of images, blurring the line between reality and fiction. This massive manipulation capability poses a real threat to the integrity of our information and our ability to discern truth from fiction.

The impact on intellectual tasks

The philosopher also highlights the speed with which AIs are now performing intellectual tasks previously reserved for humans, requiring high cognitive skill. Although artificial general intelligence capable of surpassing humans has not yet been achieved, the increasing automation of intellectual tasks raises ethical and existential questions about the role of humans in a world increasingly controlled by machines.

A lack of a democratic project

According to Sadin, artificial intelligence is by no means a democratic project. Decisions regarding its development and integration into our lives are often made by a small group of influential decision-makers, without any real public consultation. Éric Sadin denounces this lack of transparency and inclusivity, advocating for critical reading and rigorous oversight to ensure that technological progress does not come at the expense of our fundamental human values. The Need for a Collective Awakening In his book, Éric Sadin ardently calls for a collective awakening to ensure that humanity does not blindly delegate its prerogatives to machines. He emphasizes the need to preserve our ability to shape the world of tomorrow through critical reflection and an awareness of the ethical issues posed by AI. For Sadin, it is by resisting the technological illusion that humanity will be able to preserve its intrinsic richness and complexity.