Machine as a projection of the human self

Faciamus machinam ad imaginem et similitudinem nostram.

Let us make the machine in our image and likeness.

Long before humans could build autonomous machines, they could imagine them.

Artificial humans. Servants. Lovers. Guardians. Weapons. Oracles. Monsters.

The technological history of machines is preceded by a much older imaginary history of artificial agency.

Myths do not predict robots, computers or artificial intelligence.

But they repeatedly stage similar relationships between humans and artificial beings.

Who creates whom?

Who commands whom?

What should an artificial being know?

What happens when it acts for itself?

We rarely imagine machines neutrally.

We project into them our bodies.

Our desires.

Our labor.

Our violence.

Our knowledge.

Our fear of losing control.