Artificial Intelligence through McLuhan's Tetrad of Media Effects

• Published in: Theological librarianship Vol. 17; no. 2; p. 17
• Main Author: Patterson, Jordan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago American Theological Library Association 01.10.2024
• Subjects: artifical intelligence; Artificial intelligence; Librarians; Marshall McLuhan; reflection; Religious libraries; tetrad of media effects; theological libraries
• ISSN: 1937-8904; 1937-8904
• DOI: 10.31046/e0txmt31

Patterson examines artificial intelligence (AI) through Marshall McLuhan's tetrad of media effects. The paradigm-shifting advent of AI presents theological libraries with the challenge of understanding its integration into our lives and its ultimate effects. Librarian Alan Turner suggests using McLuhan's tetrad of media effects as a critical tool for discussing the impact of new media. By considering how AI enhances, obsolesces, retrieves, and flips into extremes, librarians can better understand its potential negative effects and prepare a response. AI has the potential to enhance human endeavors, increase productivity, and assist in academic research. However, it may also obsolesce the duration of labor and devalue the contributions of personal perspectives and experiences. AI retrieves a political and cultural homogeneity, which may challenge academic and intellectual freedom. At its extremes, AI may create an overwhelming amount of information and capture us in an inescapable pattern. In the face of this technological revolution, theological libraries can encourage reflection and contemplation, providing a human pace of thought amidst the AI-driven world.