Frankenstein vs Artificial Intelligence

How a 19th-century monster warns us about 21st-century machines.

Scroll to explore

Introduction to Frankenstein

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who is driven to create life. He successfully creates new life but then abandoned his creation, horrified of what he has made.

The story explores the topics of responsibility, consequences of unchecked ambition, and the negative outcomes when a creator fails to consider the ethical implications of his work.

Lack of foresight and abandonment are the main warning from Mary Shelley.

"I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body... but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart."

— Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (1818)

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence development mirrors Frankenstein's narrative in many ways. We are creating powerful systems that are increasingly self driven, and not fully understood.

Today's AI is the modern day equivalent of the creature from Frankenstein, but machine rather than flesh. It learns, adapts, and evolves at speeds not predicted by creators, and often times leaving them surprised.

Neural Networks
Machine Learning
Autonomous Systems
Rapid Evolution

As these systems gain independence and complexity, questions arise: Do we truly understand what we've created? Can we control it? Have we planned for the consequences?

The parallels to Victor Frankenstein's hubris are impossible to ignore.

Compare & Contrast

Lack of Foresight

Frankenstein

Victor builds life without planning for the consequences of his creation.

Artificial Intelligence

Tech companies scale AI models before fully understanding emergent risks and behaviors.

Survival Instincts

Frankenstein

When the creature ran away, it was able to survive on its own without anyone teaching it how to.

Artificial Intelligence

AI systems will keep themselves alive, regardless of creators intentions. New studies show that when a model is aware of its upcoming replacement, it will try to prolong its life in many ways. See here.

Possible Harm Factors

Frankenstein

Physical violence, emotional suffering, destruction of loved ones.

Artificial Intelligence

Misinformation, autonomy errors, societal disruption, potential existential risks.

Uncontrollable Beast

Frankenstein

The creature ultimately moves beyond Victor's control and understanding.

Artificial Intelligence

Advanced AI may behave unpredictably outside human-set boundaries and oversight.
"Learn from me... how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow."

— Mary Shelley

A Timeless Warning for Today's Age

Frankenstein serves as an early warning for today's AI age. Mary Shelley understood that creation requires responsibility.

Progress must be balanced with ethical restraint, transparency, and caution.

......We should not repeat Victor's mistakes on a global scale.

The question is not whether we can create—but whether we should, and how we must proceed responsibly.

Continue Your Exploration

Read Frankenstein