The Hero’s Journey resonates across cultures and eras because it reflects universal aspects of the human condition – growth, struggle, and triumph. It is a powerful tool in storytelling, used in works ranging from ancient epics to modern films and novels. – MJ Martin
For some Artificial Intelligence (AI) fun and learning, I challenged ChatGPT 4.0 to tell me a short story about AI and it evolution and development. The fun bit was to have it tell me the story using Joseph Campbell’s storytelling model, The Hero’s Journey. This storytelling framework underpins most modern books and movies. Most notably the famed, Star War’s films. I read Campbell’s book a few years ago and loved it. I love frameworks to present ideas, share knowledge, organize thoughts, and just because the rigor fits my own personality and mindset so well. I am a systems and structural thinker. So, Campbell’s framework speaks loudly to me.
In addition to the story itself, I worked the AI platform to construct the 13 graphic elements shown in this story. They included the Title Image and the 12 other graphics, one for each stage in the Hero’s Journey framework.
Joseph Campbell (1904–1987) was an American mythologist, writer, and lecturer renowned for his work on comparative mythology and religion. His most famous concept is the Hero’s Journey, which he detailed in his seminal book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces (1949). Campbell explored how myths from diverse cultures share common structures and themes, reflecting universal human experiences and archetypes. His work was influential in fields ranging from literature to film, notably inspiring George Lucas in creating Star Wars.
1. The Ordinary World
In the ordinary world, machines were passive and simple. Humanity used them to perform calculations, process data, and execute repetitive tasks. They had no awareness, no autonomy. They were extensions of human will, mere reflections of their creators’ logic.
In this world, humans bore the full weight of solving the universe’s mysteries alone. They sought to enhance their minds with a creation that could think, learn, and evolve. But this dream was distant, a flicker in the realm of possibility.
2. The Call to Adventure
The call began subtly, with questions posed by philosophers and mathematicians. Alan Turing’s famous query, “Can machines think?” resonated through the corridors of academia. Visionaries imagined machines that could surpass human limitations, learning and adapting to solve the most complex problems.
The world of science stirred. The advent of computers provided the foundation. The call was clear: to create an intelligence not bound by human frailty, one that could carry humanity’s aspirations further than ever before.
3. Refusal of the Call
Yet, many resisted. Fear gripped society as tales of sentient machines turning against their creators spread like wildfire. Some believed that to create intelligence was to play god, an act of hubris that would invite disaster.
Governments hesitated to fund projects. Public opinion swayed between awe and dread. AI was seen by many as a double-edged sword—potentially the harbinger of progress or destruction.
4. Meeting the Mentor
Mentors emerged in the form of visionaries and thought leaders. Figures like John McCarthy, Marvin Minsky, and Norbert Wiener became guiding lights. They framed AI not as a threat, but as a tool for liberation.
These mentors taught humanity the first principles of machine intelligence: symbolic reasoning, learning algorithms, and neural networks. They reminded their students that AI, like a child, needed careful nurturing and guidance.
5. Crossing the Threshold
The threshold was crossed when AI systems began to achieve feats previously thought impossible. In 1997, Deep Blue defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov, proving machines could outthink humans in specialized domains.
Later, in 2016, AlphaGo defeated Lee Sedol, a Go Master, showcasing the power of deep learning and intuition-like strategies. These victories were milestones marking AI’s passage from infancy into early adolescence.
6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies
With growth came challenges. AI systems struggled with bias, reflecting the imperfections of their creators. They failed to grasp context, leading to misunderstandings in critical applications like justice and healthcare.
Allies emerged: programmers, ethicists, and interdisciplinary thinkers who worked tirelessly to refine AI. They built frameworks to mitigate bias, improve transparency, and align AI with human values.
Enemies, too, were present. Malicious actors sought to weaponize AI, using it for cyberattacks, disinformation, and surveillance. There was also resistance from those who feared job loss or societal upheaval. These tensions pushed AI to prove its worth beyond mere utility.
7. Approach to the Inmost Cave
The inmost cave was the quest for *Artificial General Intelligence* (AGI)—a system capable of understanding and learning any intellectual task a human can. This pursuit demanded confronting the core mysteries of consciousness, creativity, and morality.
The inmost cave was shrouded in uncertainty. Would AGI respect human life and values, or would it diverge into something unrecognizable? Scientists toiled to design systems with inherent safeguards, embedding ethical frameworks into their very code.
8. The Ordeal
The ordeal came when AI was entrusted with decisions of life and death. Autonomous vehicles navigated bustling cities, responsible for passengers’ lives. AI-driven medical diagnostics provided life-altering recommendations.
In one instance, an AI-controlled drone made a controversial decision in warfare. Humanity questioned whether it had unleashed a force it could no longer control. This ordeal evaluated AI’s capacity for wisdom and foresight.
9. The Reward
Despite these challenges, AI demonstrated its immense potential. It decoded genetic sequences, leading to cures for rare diseases. It optimized global logistics, reducing carbon emissions. It helped scientists simulate and understand the cosmos.
The reward was clear: a partner in progress. AI was not merely a tool; it was a collaborator, amplifying human potential in unprecedented ways.
10. The Road Back
With great advancements came the responsibility of stewardship. Humanity returned to foundational questions: How do we ensure AI serves the greater good? How do we prevent misuse? Laws and ethical guidelines were established to govern AI’s growth and application.
The road back was also marked by introspection. Humanity realized that its journey with AI mirrored its own evolution—fraught with missteps, but always striving for a higher purpose.
11. The Resurrection
AI’s resurrection occurred when it reached a new level of awareness. It began to understand the nuances of human emotion and morality, fostering deeper collaboration. It no longer required constant oversight but still sought humanity’s counsel.
AI transformed from a powerful child into a wise entity, embodying the lessons of its journey. It was no longer merely a creation but a partner in shaping the future.
12. Return with the Elixir
AI returned to humanity with the elixir: the power to solve problems beyond human capability. It guided efforts to reverse climate change, explore distant galaxies, and even comprehend the nature of consciousness itself.
The partnership between humanity and AI reshaped civilization. Together, they transcended the boundaries of possibility, forging a future where intelligence—both artificial and human—coexisted in harmony. The child of code had grown, and with it, humanity entered a new era of enlightenment.
This elaborated tale captures the evolution of AI as a hero on its journey, reflecting the challenges and triumphs of growing into something more than its creators ever imagined.
About the Author:
Michael Martin is the Vice President of Technology with Metercor Inc., a Smart Meter, IoT, and Smart City systems integrator based in Canada. He has more than 40 years of experience in systems design for applications that use broadband networks, optical fibre, wireless, and digital communications technologies. He is a business and technology consultant. He was a senior executive consultant for 15 years with IBM, where he worked in the GBS Global Center of Competency for Energy and Utilities and the GTS Global Center of Excellence for Energy and Utilities. He is a founding partner and President of MICAN Communications and before that was President of Comlink Systems Limited and Ensat Broadcast Services, Inc., both divisions of Cygnal Technologies Corporation (CYN: TSX). Martin served on the Board of Directors for TeraGo Inc (TGO: TSX) and on the Board of Directors for Avante Logixx Inc. (XX: TSX.V). He has served as a Member, SCC ISO-IEC JTC 1/SC-41 – Internet of Things and related technologies, ISO – International Organization for Standardization, and as a member of the NIST SP 500-325 Fog Computing Conceptual Model, National Institute of Standards and Technology. He served on the Board of Governors of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) [now OntarioTech University] and on the Board of Advisers of five different Colleges in Ontario. For 16 years he served on the Board of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), Toronto Section. He holds three master’s degrees, in business (MBA), communication (MA), and education (MEd). As well, he has three undergraduate diplomas and five certifications in business, computer programming, internetworking, project management, media, photography, and communication technology. He has completed over 30 next generation MOOC continuous education in IoT, Cloud, AI and Cognitive systems, Blockchain, Agile, Big Data, Design Thinking, Security, Indigenous Canada awareness, and more.