The present vision of AI… or the HAL syndrome
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/DPRG-12-2018-0079 |
| Pages | 322-328 |
| Published date | 13 May 2019 |
| Date | 13 May 2019 |
| Author | Pierre-Jean Benghozi,Hugues Chevalier |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information management & governance,Information policy |
The present vision of AI... or the HAL
syndrome
Pierre-Jean Benghozi and Hugues Chevalier
Abstract
Purpose –The HAL syndrome is a sign of the pathology of analysts and commenters when they are
dealing with the stakes and risks of AI, then stressing the omnipotence of technologies and expected
performances, the autonomy of machine, the problems of human control, the anthropomorphism in
handling usages.The perception of new uses, the capacity to appropriatethe digital dimension, the very
conception of applications, terminals and infrastructures are highly structured by shared vision of
technologiesthat spread within society.
Design/methodology/approach –Analyzing fictional content such as ‘‘2001, a Space Odyssey’’ and the
forward-thinking vision of AI it offers contribute to characterize the deep ambiguity of AI. HAL, the computer
of 2001, helps us to understand that AI is just an umbrella term that covers very different configurations and
systems. The power to inspire coming from HAL holds to its being part of an identifiable genre, fiction, a
privileged container for projecting phantasms about future unknown domains.
Findings –The HAL syndromeleads us to relativize the omnipotence granted to technology andwillingly
circulated by both digital companies and transhumanist thinkers that advocate the use of science and
technology–including IT –to enhance the human condition.
Originality/value –The HAL syndrome,as it continues to influence our minds, becomes the basisof the
questioning, concernsand enthusiasms triggered by AI. Therefore,it calls for original reflection over the
need andmodalities of the regulation of the current technologicaldynamics.
Keywords Regulation, Artificial intelligence
Paper type Conceptual paper
Over 18 years after the symbolic deadline of 2001: A Space Odyssey, the power of
fiction is such that the debatesthat accompanied the release of the film in 1969 are
still emblematic at a time when artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are
at the heart of the digital economy[1].
The second part of the film is structured around the power and autonomy of HAL[2] 9000.
As the astronauts are hibernating, this super-robot computer, on board the spaceship
Discovery 1, is in charge of managing for several years the mission to search for a
mysterious black monolith, a symbol of absolute knowledge. HAL does not display any
physical presence; its active presence takes the form of a big red eye and a voice, which
makes it as puzzling as it is disturbing.
We find it worth looking back at this masterpiece of science fiction in a paper dealing
with AI, as we deem that the perception of computing ushered in then by the film is still
up to date. To that extent, one can speak of an “HAL syndrome”. It is a sign of the
pathology of analysts and commentators when they are dealing now with the stakes
and risks of AI, that they stress the omnipotence of technologies and overstate the
expected performance, the “autonomisation” of machines and the problems of human
control and management, the anthropomorphism of the way to handle usages and the
relationships with new tools.
Pierre-Jean Benghozi is
based at the E
´cole
Polytechnique, Palaiseau,
France.
Hugues Chevalier is based
at the Institut de l’Iconomie,
Bordeaux, France.
Received 22 December 2018
Accepted 12 January 2019
PAGE 322 jDIGITAL POLICY, REGULATION AND GOVERNANCE jVOL. 21 NO. 3 2019, pp. 322-328, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2398-5038 DOI 10.1108/DPRG-12-2018-0079
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