Stephen King Explains Why He’s Not Worried About Being Replaced By A.I. (Yet), And Naturally Uses A Classic Novel To Make His Point

In the realm of today’s technological advancements, there’s an undeniable fascination with Artificial Intelligence (AI), leaving many pondering its potential capabilities. While it’s true that AI might prove beneficial in certain areas, it’s being extensively utilized in creative domains like AI art and writing, generating a plethora of ideas from basic prompts. Yet, among the literary giants, Stephen King remains unfazed by the looming presence of AI, confident that his role as a storyteller is secure.

In an interview with The Times, King – who is set to witness the new adaptation of his novel, “The Long Walk,” debut this week – shares that he doesn’t spend much time pondering artificial intelligence (A.I.). However, he acknowledges that younger authors, including his sons, express concern about the direction A.I. might take for writers in the future. Although the future is uncertain, King believes that people will excel in creative pursuits compared to computers for some time. He remarks:

“While I’m not too concerned with AI at the moment, I do understand why younger writers, even my sons, feel a sense of apprehension about what the future might bring for authors. However, I believe that people will continue to hold an edge in creative endeavors over computers for now.

I’m not particularly interested in AI. My sons, Owen King and Joe Hill, who are both writers, on the other hand, are quite passionate about AI and its negative impact on writing. However, I believe that human writers will always produce superior prose compared to any automated intelligence.

AI can process vast amounts of data, leading to disputes over copyright issues as seen with companies like Disney and Universal. This technology can generate outputs that meet fundamental criteria for “art” or “creative writing.” However, it’s challenging to deny that the quality produced by machines isn’t particularly impressive. The results often lack the emotional depth and individuality that we commonly associate with genuine creativity, making them seem devoid of the very soul they technically represent.

As a movie enthusiast, I often ponder about the role Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) might play in our cherished world of cinema. Some of my fellow actors, like Ashton Kutcher, seem to embrace this technological advancement wholeheartedly. On the other hand, there are stars such as Ben Affleck who strongly believe that the unique charm and authenticity of film will endure against any incursion from A.I., for a significant period.

Stephen King acknowledges that AI might one day be advanced enough to write a novel, yet he expresses concerns about other issues arising in such a scenario. Referring to H.G. Wells’ timeless novel The Time Machine, King paints a picture of a future where humans, freed from labor due to AI, may eventually lose the capacity to work themselves. He elaborated as follows:

“In this imagined future, people no longer have to work because AI has taken over. However, it’s possible that they might eventually forget how to do so.

In simpler terms, I haven’t explicitly stated this, but when we reach a point where artificial intelligence becomes self-replicating and capable of teaching itself, it will no longer require human guidance to continue learning and advancing. This could lead to a scenario reminiscent of HG Wells’ The Time Machine, where AI takes on the role of the Morlocks while humans become the Eloi, essentially controlling everything. Once AI is able to write a novel as good as a human, the game will change significantly. In what time remains for me, I strive to stay one step ahead of artificial intelligence.

Stephen King might be correct that he doesn’t have much to fret about regarding artificial intelligence, but for the rest of us, the verdict remains unclear. Maybe someone from the future equipped with a time machine could visit us and offer some insight on this matter.

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2025-09-10 23:21