A recent notice in a journal submission guideline stating that “Primary authorship must be human” has drawn attention to the evolving relationship between humans and artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in creative and literary fields. This declaration surfaced amid growing debates and policies concerning AI use in media and the challenges in distinguishing human-authored work from machine-generated content.
The concern reflects broader societal questions about the role of technology as the world enters what is often described as the fourth industrial revolution or the Intelligence Age. With AI’s rapid advancement, questions arise over when and how humanity might need to assert or prove its unique qualities beyond technological capabilities.
Historical and artistic perspectives were invoked to explore these human challenges. The 16th-century Dutch painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s repeated depictions of the biblical Tower of Babel story serve as a metaphor for the consequences of unchecked human ambition and pride. In this narrative from the Book of Genesis, humans speaking a single language attempt to build a tower to reach Heaven to “make a name for ourselves.” God intervenes by scattering languages, causing confusion and division. Bruegel’s painting conveys rising social hierarchies and the early stages of the tower’s collapse, symbolizing the dangers inherent in unbalanced power and loss of communal unity.
This story has contemporary resonance, as Pope Leo’s first encyclical, *Magnifica Humanitas*, references the Tower of Babel in urging humanity to responsibly navigate the era of AI. It underscores the importance of fostering communication and cooperation across cultural divides to sustain collective well-being, emphasizing these as essential human traits.
Modern artistic works also offer reflections on human vulnerability and self-awareness. South African artist Deborah Poynton’s 2024 painting “A Thin Veil” portrays an elderly woman named Ilsa, rendered with hyper-realistic detail that reveals expressions of fear and uncertainty. The image evokes themes of mortality, limitation, and acceptance—fundamental aspects of the human condition amid rapid technological and societal change.
Similarly, a circa 1910 painting titled "Contemplazione" by Swiss artist Augusto Giacometti visually blurs the line between landscape and human form. Depicting three reclining figures whose bodies mimic mountainous shapes, the work invites a contemplative engagement with life’s complexity. It suggests that contemplative practices—through stillness and focused awareness—can help deepen understanding of self, others, and the sacredness of existence.
These artistic and cultural expressions illustrate the tension between advancing human capabilities and the humility required to recognize inherent limits. As AI continues to permeate creative and professional domains, the question of what distinguishes human authorship goes beyond technical definitions, touching on deeper existential reflections about identity, vulnerability, and connection. The ongoing dialogue about technology and humanity thus encompasses not only innovation and ethics but also the search for meaning and solidarity in an increasingly complex world.