Resistance and Progress: The Clash of Technology and Tradition

Like every new technology, AI forces us to face some uncomfortable questions about what it means to be human

Introduction

Technological progress has always been a double-edged sword for society. While advancements often promise unprecdented opportunities and improvements in quality of life, they are frequently met with skepticism, opposition, and cultural inertia. One of the most illustrative contemporary examples of this tension is the rise of artificial intelligence, particularly in the domains of art, writing, and video production. AI has achieved remarkable strides in generating creative content, often surpassing the capabilities of most individuals. Yet, it is regualrly dismissed as inferior, soulless, or even harmful. This resistance reflects deeper anxieties about identity, creativity,and societal change—an enduring pattern that has accompanied transformative technologies throughout history.

Fear of the Unknown

The root of much opposition to technological innovation lies in fear of the unknown. AI, for instance, operates within the realm of algorithms and neural networks that remain incomprehensible to many. This opacity breeds mistrust, with critcs questioning how machines can replicate human intuition, emotion, or ingenuity. This skepticism is amplified by early shortcomings in AI-generated content, which, while rapidly improving, have left lasting impressions of mediocrity in the public consciousness. Such perceptions overshadow the transformative potential of AI and prevent its broader acceptance.

Creative endeavors are intimately tied to human identity. Writing, painting, and filmmaking are often seen as expressions of individual experience, emotion, and perspective. The idea that AI—a machine devoid of consciousness—can generate art challenges this deeply held belief. To many, AI-generated content is perceived as “slop,” lacking the authenticity that comes from human effort and intention. This critique, however, fails to recognize that creativitity itself has always been an evolving concept. From the camera to the synthesizer, tools once derided as inauthentic have become integral to human expression.

Walter Benjamin’s seminal essay, The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, offers a lens through which to view this phenomenon. Benjamin argued that mechanical reproduction diminishes the “aura” of art—its unique presence in time and space—by making it infinitely replicable. While this loss of aura was initially viewed as a cultural threat, Benjamin also recognized that reproducibility could democratize art, making it accessible to the masses in ways previously unimaginable. Similarly, AI challenges the traditional aura of human-created art but simultaneously broadens participation and innovation in creative fields.

The mechanized loom, for example, faced significant resistance during the Industrial Revolution as workers feared it would devalue their craft and destroy their livelihoods. Similarly, the printing press was decried by many in its early days as a threat to the sanctity of handwritten manuscripts and the labor of scribes. IVF (in vitro fertilization), too, was met with moral outrage and skepticism when it was first introduced, with critics questioning the ethics and authenticity of creating life outside the body. Over time, however, each of these technologies proved their worth and became integral to modern society.

Economic and Social Anxiety

Beyond philosophical concerns, the rise of AI also generates tangible economic and social anxieties. Creative industries that once seemed immune to automation now face the possibility of disruption. Artists, writers, and filmmakers worry about being rendered obsolete, while society grapples with questions about the value of human labor in a world where machines can produce comparable or superior outputs. These fears, while valid, overlook the historical tendency for technology to augment rather than replace human work.

The printing press, for instance, did not eliminate storytelling but democratized access to it, allowing new voices to emerge. Similarly, the mechanized loom did not destroy the textile industry but revolutionized it, making fabrics more accessible and affordable. IVF ultimately expanded the possibilities of family-building, helping millions of people who otherwise could not conceive. In the same vein, AI has the potential to democratize creativity, enabling individuals without formal training or resources to produce high-quality work.

Cultural Conservatism and Fidelity Bias

Cultural resistance to technological change often stems from an idealization of the past. Critics of AI-generated art argue that it cheapens cultural values by prioritizing efficiency over craftsmanship. This perspective reflects a broader fidelity bias, where early versions of a technology—often flawed or rudimentary—are taken as representative of its potential. In the case of AI, inital outputs were indeed formulaic and uninspiring. However, as the technology evolves, it produces works of astonishing complexity and nuance, challenging the narrative that machines can only create inferior imitations of human creativity.

Historical examples further illustrate this pattern: the mechanized loom was initially viewed as a crude replacement for artisanal weaving, yet it paved the way for modern textile industries. Similarly, photography, once dismissed as a mechanical process unworthy of artistic merit, is now celebrated as a legitimate art form.

Despite initial resistance, history suggests that transformative technologies eventually become normalized. Photography, once derided, is now integral to culture and art. IVF, once seen as unnatural, is now a standard medical procedure. The mechanized loom, which sparked the Luddite uprising, is now a historical milestone in industrial progress. Similarly, AI is likely to follow a trajectory of incremental adoption and eventual acceptance. Already, many artists and writers are using AI as a tool to brainstorm ideas, refine drafts, or experiment with new styles. This symbiosis between human creativity and machine efficiency represents not a dilution of art but an expansion of its possibilities.

At its core, the tension surrounding AI and creativity reflects a broader societal struggle to reimagine what it means to be human in an age of machines. Far from devaluing human creativity, AI challenges us to rethink its boundaries and potential. By collaborating with AI, people can achieve outcomes that were previously unimaginable, pushing the limits of artistic and intellectual exploration. In this sense, the resistance to AI is not merely a rejection of technology but an opportunity to redefine creativity itself.

Conclusion

The opposition to AI in creative fields is emblematic of a broader tension between technological progress and cultural resistance. While fears about authenticity, economic displacement, and the unknown are understandable, they often underestimate the transformative potential of new tools. History has shown that societies flourish when they embrace technological advancements and adapt them to enhance human capabilities. As AI continues to evolve, it offers not just a challenge, but an invitation to collaborate, innovate, and expand the horizons of creativity. Resistance may be inevitable, but it is also the crucible through which progress is forged.