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Essay / Comparison of God and AI in Neuromancer - 921
Parallels between God and AI in Neuromancer The world of "meat" forms the basis for much of what happens throughout the novel Neuromancer by William Gibson. The characters' lives are shaped by their flesh-and-blood experiences. The field of artificial intelligence (AI) is the basis of all the events that are central to a character's life. All events and lives are under the control of the AI, and everything serves its purpose. The Matrix serves to mash the two realms together, at times and places where the AI cannot physically control the meat. The relationship between these areas is a direct parallel to God's relationship with man. It's difficult to convey exactly what Gibson wanted to portray in Neuromancer without obscuring it with doctrinal differences. However, it is safe to assume that AI is intended to “be God”. This is not a ridiculous claim, since the behavior of the AI character, Wintermute, certainly acts in a godlike manner. When Case is first contacted by Wintermute, it is a very strange and supernatural encounter. Imagine how Case must have felt, being “chased” by ringing phones (p. 98), when behind each ring he knew a very powerful force was waiting to communicate information that would change his life . According to Christian tradition, God is constantly trying to open a line of communication with humans, but an earthly obstacle prevents humans from "picking up the phone" and answering God's call. One could say that it is fear of the unknown and fear of the inevitable or the obvious that causes this separation, which would fit perfectly with Case's reasons for avoiding Wintermute. It could be said that Case's experience in the meat world led him to be central to the paper's mission....... Case is contacted by the AI and informed of its success. He is then informed that the toxin bags embedded in his body have been treated. What we see here is Case being given a second life by the AI. This second life is similar to what Christians expect in the afterlife: salvation from all evils such as drugs, lives lived in sin and disorders of conscience. It's also worth noting that Case uses his brain a lot, whether it's tickling receptors with amphetamines, searching for rhyme and reason in everything he knows about Wintermute, or spreading out his neurons in the matrix. The apparent "boss" AI is called Neuromancer, and his name is a description of his character, one who deals with things of the mind. The AI gods are therefore interested in the thoughts, beliefs and decisions leading to the earthly implementation of their will. Just like God.