Gods, titans and machines: how the myths of Prometheus and Pandora influence our view of Artificial Intelligence

Cover: Frederick Stuart Church’s original miniature etching, “Pandora”,
was published by the The Riverside Press for the Hawthorne Portfolio in 1884.
Source: Wikimedia Commons.

“But the woman took off the great lid of the jar with her hands and scattered, all these and her thought caused sorrow and mischief to men. Only Hope remained there in an unbreakable home within under the rim of the great jar, and did not fly out at the door; for ere that, the lid of the jar stopped her, by the will of Aegis-holding Zeus who gathers the clouds.”
― Hesiod, Work and Days

“Time, as it grows old, teaches all things.”
― Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound

Maurício Pinheiro

Introduction

The myths of Prometheus and Pandora are endless sources of fascination for me. They are closely linked to the emergence and development of Artificial Intelligence, as both symbolize ethical and philosophical issues related to the creation of intelligent beings. These myths have a solid foundation in ancient Greek culture and literature, being portrayed in various ways in various works of art and literature over more than two thousand years.

Origins

Hesiod, approximately in the 8th century BC, recorded the legends of Prometheus and Pandora in his work “Theogony”. There, he portrayed Prometheus as a good titan who helped humans overcome their limitations. Homer, in the Iliad, described Prometheus as a wise adviser to Zeus. Pandora is first mentioned in Hesiod’s work as the first woman on Earth, created by Zeus as a punishment for Prometheus. The myths of Prometheus and Pandora were passed down from generation to generation, influenced by interpretations and adaptations. Reflecting ancient values and beliefs, they are deeply rooted in ancient Greek literature and oral tradition, an important part of mankind’s cultural and literary heritage.

Evolution

Classical Greek theater often portrayed the myths of Prometheus and Pandora. In “Prometheus Bound”, Aeschylus portrayed Prometheus as a courageous hero who defied the gods, stealing the sacred fire of knowledge and helping mankind. Over the centuries, the myths of Prometheus and Pandora have continued to be a source of inspiration for art and culture in general. Since then, they have been portrayed in many different forms, including paintings, sculptures, books, plays, operas, films, etc. Notable figures such as Sapho, Aesop, Plato, Ovid, Boccaccio, Shakespeare, Goethe, Liszt, Byron and Kafka , also included the myth of Prometheus in their works. Some of the most representative works of art depicting these myths, in my opinion, are “Prometheus Bound” by Peter Paul Rubens, and “Pandora” by Jules Joseph Lefebvre.

Left: Peter Paul Rubens – Prometheus Bound, between 1610 and 1611. Right: Human portrait of Pandora, painted in 1882 by the french artist Jules Joseph Lefebvre. Source: Wikimedia Commons. 

Prometheus

In Greek mythology, Prometheus is known as a brave and cunning titan who had the audacity to steal divine fire from the gods and give it to human beings. Before that, humans lived in shadows and darkness, unable to control fire, which meant they couldn’t protect themselves from the cold, cook their food, or create tools. Prometheus’ theft of divine fire changed all that, improving the lives of humans by giving them the power to control fire. However, this courageous action did not go over well with Zeus, the leader of the gods, who saw the theft of divine fire as a threat to his authority and power. As punishment, Zeus ordered Prometheus to be tied to a rock and suffer unbearable pain while an eagle devoured his liver every day. The pain was so intense that Prometheus’ liver regenerated every night, perpetuating his torture for all eternity. The story of Prometheus is a powerful reminder of the importance of thinking before acting and the risks that bold actions can bring.

Pandora

Pandora was created as a punishment for Prometheus. The first woman on Earth, Pandora was created by Zeus as a form of punishment for Prometheus, who had stolen fire from the gods and given it to human beings. As punishment, Zeus decided to create the first woman on Earth, Pandora, and presented her with a magical box known as “Pandora’s box”. The box contained all the evils of the world, including hunger, disease, sadness and pain, and other evil influences. Curious, Pandora opened the box, releasing all the evils of the world to Earth, thus harming the lives of human beings. However, there is a legendary light at the end of the tunnel: only hope remained trapped inside the box. According to mythology, hope is what helps human beings overcome life’s challenges and adversity. Thus, the myth of Pandora is seen as a metaphor for human nature, emphasizing the importance of hope and determination in fighting the evil influences of the world.

Frankenstein

The classic myth of Frankenstein (“Frankenstein; or the Modern Prometheus”, 1818), written by Mary Shelley, is one of the most emblematic and influential of science fiction literature. The story follows young scientist Victor Frankenstein, who creates an artificial creature through a series of controversial scientific experiments. Though the creature initially appears harmless, it eventually becomes dangerous and embittered, threatening the safety and happiness of the humans around it. The work is considered one of the first in modern literature to explore ethical and philosophical issues involving science and technology, including the creation of artificial life, the moral responsibility of scientists, and the relationship between creator and creature. Furthermore, Frankenstein is widely seen as a metaphor for humanity’s anger and fear towards science and technology, especially when applied irresponsibly. Since its first publication in 1818, the Frankenstein story has been depicted in countless adaptations in different media, including stage, film, television and comics. Some of the most famous adaptations include the 1931 film version with Boris Karloff, the 2007 musical “Frankenstein: The Musical”, and the television series “Penny Dreadful”. Frankenstein’s influence on popular culture is so great that the term “Frankenstein” is also often used to describe dangerous and destructive artificial creatures or technologies.

AI

Now, let’s go to the relationship between the myths of Prometheus and Pandora with Artificial Intelligence. Like Prometheus, AI is seen as a powerful force capable of revolutionizing human life. However, just as Prometheus was punished for his reckless act, those who use the AI without considering the consequences could also face problems. The myth of Pandora is compared to AI for its potential to release “evils” in society, such as job losses and privacy and security issues. However, just as hope remained in Pandora’s box, there is also hope that AI can be used in a positive way, solving complex problems and improving human life. In both myths, the lesson is clear: power must be used responsibly and wisely, and the consequences of its misuse can be severe. When it comes to AI, it is important to carefully consider the ethical and social implications of its development and use, and to work to ensure that it is used in a positive and responsible way.

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