Los Angeles Review of Books, author Andy Weir (who is also the creator of “The Martian”) was queried about AI’s “potential” in the realm of writing. Weir disclosed that he dabbled with AI early on due to curiosity and found “it was really poor at writing.” Nevertheless, he anticipates “it will improve over time” and makes the unsettling forecast that he “could be among the last generation of human authors.”
In Weir’s perspective, AI will ultimately possess the ability to craft “more engaging, compelling, and thrilling narratives than any human,” utilizing the extensive library of literature and assembling the elements that people find most appealing. Furthermore, he foresees that art will “transition away from shared entertainment to a personalized form.” In essence, Weir believes AI will be extensively utilized to produce stories customized to an individual’s known tastes, and this development will occur “likely within our lifetimes.”
When inquired about the shared experience of art and connecting with the creators, Weir brushes off the notion that people will long for human artists. As he notes, “nobody wants to converse with [Photoshop] … People recognize that there are tools that accomplish this.” He maintains that there will always be some space for humans in all artistic expressions, although he believes they will occupy a reduced role. He cites live performances and portrait painting as examples that persist despite the dominance of TV, movies, and photography, asserting, “What was once commonplace becomes niche.”