Tech Utopias, AI, and the Stories That Shape Our Imagination

In this edition of TAISIG Talks, Pieter Spronck speaks with Roos Slegers, Assistant Professor of Philosophy. Their conversation is inspired by Roos’ research on how genre fiction—especially science fiction and fantasy—can help us think differently about technological and ecological challenges.

Roos explains how works like Frank Herbert's Dune, Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, and Spike Jonze's film Her have not only deeply influenced Silicon Valley CEOs but have also shaped our collective imagination. Through various examples, she illustrates how key science fiction texts and films have permeated our cultural subconscious, subtly shaping our (emotional) responses to developments in AI—even for those who have never read or seen them.

What can we gain from revisiting the original texts that inspire big tech visionaries? And what other stories deserve our attention to counterbalance dominant narratives of technological utopia and space colonization? This and more is covered in this thought-provoking talk about the power of fiction.

The three authors mentioned by Roos Slegers at the end of the video are Nnedi Okorafor, Ursula LeGuin, and Octavia E. Butler.