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Amid growing anxieties surrounding artificial intelligence, author Alberto Chimal is traveling through Spain to challenge prevailing narratives and advocate for a more nuanced understanding of the technology’s implications.
Alberto Chimal (Toluca de Lerdo, Mexico, 1970) is currently on a speaking tour across Spain, urging audiences to confront the rapidly evolving reality of artificial intelligence (AI). “Or rather what we already have on top of us,” he stated during a press briefing Friday ahead of his appearance at the 42 Festival of Fantastic Genres in Barcelona. The festival, running from Friday through Sunday at the Fabra i Coats and the Ignasi Iglésias-Can Fabra Library, will also feature the launch of his latest book, The Sick Machines (Foam Pages), a collection of short stories exploring the anxieties surrounding technological advancement.
Chimal’s central message revolves around questioning the inevitability of a dystopian future dominated by AI. He aims to spark a critical conversation: “What are we doing? And is there a way to change course?”
Dismantling the Inevitable Catastrophe
Chimal actively rejects the notion of technology-dependent catastrophism, arguing that the future is not predetermined. “I like to dismantle the idea that the script has already been written and that those who now have power over AI and technology are infallible,” he explained. He illustrates this point in his fiction, portraying powerful figures – reminiscent of individuals like Elon Musk – as fundamentally flawed, and their technology as equally susceptible to failure.
According to Chimal, recognizing this fallibility is crucial. “Whoever finds out that technology is fallible is the one who can suffer the most damage,” he said, “Because they see the truth and it is a problem for the system.” He suggests that those in positions of power, often with close ties to governments, have a vested interest in maintaining the illusion of control.
Despite his critical stance, Chimal maintains a surprising optimism. “Actually yes, even though he sounds like a lunatic,” he conceded, adding that the current belief in a harmonious coexistence with AI is “a convenient illusion.”
The Power of Education and Alternative Storytelling
Chimal believes education is paramount in altering the current trajectory. He draws a historical parallel, noting that even the once-unquestionable “right of kings” was eventually challenged and overturned. Beyond formal education, he emphasizes the role of literature in shaping public perception.
He critiques the dominant narrative emanating from the United States, which he characterizes as repetitive and apocalyptic, often centered around violence. “It usually consists of a group of people who, in the face of a great catastrophe, give themselves the license to shoot everything they can,” he observed. “It is nothing more than an expression of American society, which has a fetish with firearms.”
Chimal advocates for stories that prioritize survival, care, and the possibility of positive change, rather than solely focusing on destruction. “The real challenge is to think about what happens next,” he stated.
Exploring Corporate Culture Through Fiction
Chimal’s new book, The Sick Machines, represents his latest attempt to contribute to this alternative narrative. He previously explored similar themes in The night in zone M, a novel published only in Mexico, which depicts survivors scavenging technology from a past apocalypse.
“In the case of The Sick Machines, the idea came from the need to explain to me the rise of AI and, especially, the corporate culture behind it,” he explained. He employs humor as a deliberate strategy to address a sensitive and often avoided topic.
Interestingly, Chimal himself remains largely detached from AI technology. He recounted an experience searching for information about himself online and encountering inaccuracies, leading him to avoid platforms like ChatGPT. He acknowledged a family member’s concern that AI would soon replace him, but remains unconcerned, believing the current situation is unsustainable due to both economic and environmental factors.
