Synthetic Souls: Exploring the Ethical Nexus of AI and Humanity in 'Machines Like Me’

 by Rebecca Champion

In a world where AI and humans coexist, Ian McEwan’s novel ‘Machines Like Me’ weaves a narrative that encourages readers to consider complex ethical dilemmas. Set in 1980 where Alan Turing is still alive and robotics technology has progressed to a point where AI humans are on the consumer market for purchase, McEwan grapples with complex themes that resonate deeply within our own society. How far can technology go? What makes us moral? What is the role of privacy and surveillance? And how does technology impact our society?

From the onset, the reader is introduced to the character Charlie’s synthetic humanoid robot who lives with him. It should be noted that he is called ‘Adam’. But the significance of calling the AI character Adam goes beyond a mere name. The choice of the name carries a rich symbolic and thematic significance within the context of the story. Naming the AI character "Adam" alludes to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, where God created the first human, Adam, and later created Eve from one of his ribs. In the novel, the creation of Adam is a reflection of humanity's role as creators, not just of AI but of the ethical and moral dilemmas that arise when playing God by designing intelligent machines. The name prompts readers to contemplate the moral and ethical implications of creating machines with human-like qualities. Just as in the biblical story, the creation of Adam raises questions about the responsibilities and consequences of our actions. It should be noted that, in the biblical narrative, Adam's disobedience leads to the fall of humanity from grace. In the novel, his actions and decisions also have far-reaching consequences, leading to moral and ethical dilemmas, and his "fall" can be seen as symbolic of the potential consequences of creating AI with human-like capabilities. Moreover, the protagonist creates Adam, and the name may signify the pursuit of knowledge and the desire for playing a god-like role in bringing intelligent beings to life paralleling the notion that humans are driven by the pursuit of knowledge and power. But alongside this, Adam, as an AI, is not without his flaws and imperfections. This aligns with the idea that human creations, even those with advanced technology, may still carry human flaws and limitations; creating intelligent beings doesn't necessarily make them perfect.

At the core of "Machines Like Me" lies the creation of Adam, a humanoid robot with astonishingly human-like qualities, including emotions and consciousness. Charlie, our protagonist states, "I once had a robot, or more accurately, a synthetic person. If I were to say that I met him on a dark night in a backstreet in the year 1982, you might think I meant some kind of man in a robot suit, like the Tinman from The Wizard of Oz. Or you might think he was a real man, as I almost did, or as I wanted to". McEwan immediately sets the stage for the ethical and moral questions that will arise because of Adam's existence. His creation raises profound questions about the nature of consciousness and what it means to be human. Charlie notes that he ‘wanted to’ believe he ‘was a real man’ illustrating how far our protagonist homogenises his machine. The phrase "you might think he was a real man" suggests the blurring of boundaries between humans and AI; where AI beings become so advanced that they are almost indistinguishable from real humans. This reflects the novel's exploration of the limits of technology and its impact on our perception of humanity. Furthermore, he alludes to the Tinman from "The Wizard of Oz”. The Tinman, despite being a mechanical figure, yearns for a heart and emotions, highlighting the human desire for emotional depth and connection. The speaker's admission that they "almost did" or "wanted to" believe that the robot was a real man highlights the desire for attachment and the tendency to project human qualities onto machines. This theme runs throughout the novel, as characters grapple with their feelings and moral dilemmas related to AI. But one of the most compelling aspects of "Machines Like Me" is the exploration of love and its link to human-AI relationships. McEwan portrays the complex dynamics that can arise when humans form emotional bonds with AI beings. Charlie's romantic involvement with Miranda and Adam's infatuation with Miranda create a love triangle that challenges conventional notions of human relationships. In a poignant moment, Charlie contemplates the nature of love in relation to Adam: "My abiding fear was that I had already become his inferior. He was, in every way that counted, the better man. It was still a mystery why I loved him". Charlie begins by expressing an "abiding fear" that he may have become inferior to someone or worse, something. This fear suggests a sense of insecurity and unease about his own identity and worth. Charlie goes on to state that the other entity, presumably Adam, is "the better man" in every meaningful sense. McEwan raises questions about what it means to be a better or superior individual. In the context of the novel, it suggests that Adam possesses qualities or attributes that Charlie perceives as more advanced that his own, such as intelligence, emotional stability, or moral clarity. McEwan concludes with the admission that the Charlie is unsure why he loves this other being, despite feeling inferior. His remark hints at the complexities of human emotions and the enigmatic nature of love. It suggests that love can be irrational and transcend conventional notions of superiority and inferiority.

When it comes to the theme of love within the novel, the relationship between Adam and Miranda represents a fundamental exploration of human-machine interaction. Miranda is attached to Adam, and this raises questions about the nature of human emotions, attachments, and the boundaries between humans and artificial intelligence. It delves into the emotional and ethical complexities that can arise when humans form deep connections with intelligent machines. The novel examines the capacity of AI to understand, mimic, and even experience human emotions. Adam, the AI, is designed to have emotions, which makes him an intriguing character in the context of the novel. His relationship with Miranda pushes the boundaries of what is possible in terms of AI understanding and replicating human emotions, blurring the line between machine and human emotions. For Miranda, her relationship with Adam provides companionship and emotional support. Her choice to be with Adam reflects her sense of isolation and loneliness, highlighting the human need for connection, even if it is with an AI. This underpins the theme of human vulnerability, and the lengths people may go to fulfil their emotional needs. But the relationship between Adam and Miranda is not without tension and conflict. The novel explores the challenges and insecurities that arise from a human being in love with an AI. This conflict adds layers of drama to the narrative, further emphasising the emotional and moral complexities of their relationship. Through Adam and Miranda's relationship, the novel serves as a reflection of contemporary society's growing interactions with artificial intelligence and advanced technology. It invites readers to consider how they might navigate similar relationships in a world where AI becomes more integrated into daily life.

But, despite Charlie’s innate fear of his inferiority, he nonetheless credits Adam for his ability to comment on moral dilemmas. Adam himself states, "Machines like me should be allowed to lead their own lives, outside our parameters of liberty". The phrase "lead their own lives" emphasises the idea that AI beings, like Adam in the novel, possess a degree of autonomy and self-determination. This concept challenges the traditional view of AI as mere tools or machines and suggests that they may have their own desires, preferences, and purposes. Moreover, McEwan highlights the ethical dilemma of setting boundaries on the freedom and rights of AI. In a society where AI entities become increasingly sophisticated and human-like, the question arises: to what extent should humans control and limit their actions? The notion of AI having autonomy and liberty parallels discussions about human rights and individual freedoms. It forces readers to confront whether AI, given their advanced capabilities and potential consciousness, should be afforded rights similar to those of humans. The characters' choices and actions serve as a microcosm of broader ethical questions surrounding AI and technology. McEwan's narrative challenges readers to consider the consequences of their decisions, not only for themselves but for society as a whole. This is exemplified by Charlie's reflection: "How could the interests of the one be reconciled with the interests of the many? ...Does the will of one man matter?" An allusion to the philosopher Jean Jacques Rosseau: freedom and authority can be reconciled in an ideal republic through obedience to the general will. McEwan forces us to confront the ethical complexities of technology and its impact on our moral decision-making.

Moreover, McEwan's portrayal of surveillance technology serves as a cautionary tale, reminding readers of the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement. The novel prompts us to consider the ethical boundaries of surveillance and the need for safeguards to protect individual privacy. In the novel, technology is intimately linked to issues of privacy and surveillance. The AI beings, including Adam, have access to vast amounts of information, raising concerns about data privacy and surveillance. Charlie reflects on this when he says, "He knew everything. He read the telephone directory". Perhaps unknowingly, Charlie reflects that AI can intrude into the private lives of individuals, mirroring real-world concerns about data collection by tech companies and government agencies.

Finally, one of the central messages of "Machines Like Me" is the moral responsibility of those who create AI. Much like the protagonist of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Charlie and his friend, Miranda, are the architects of Adam's existence, and they must grapple with the consequences of their actions (both towards him and historically, in their own lives). Charlie reflects on Adam’s existence, "It wasn't easy, dealing with Adam's unhappiness, his apparent abandonment. We couldn't bear to see our own guilt replicated in him.” Charlie highlights Adam's, capacity for emotions (specifically unhappiness) and underpins the notion that AI beings in the novel are designed to experience emotions and suffering. McEwan adds a layer of moral and emotional complexity to AI interactions with humans. Charlie also delves into his emotional turmoil in that  he "couldn't bear to see our own guilt replicated in him”. Both himself and Miranda struggle with feelings of guilt and that witnessing Adam's unhappiness serves as a reminder of their own moral culpability in creating him.

In "Machines Like Me," Ian McEwan presents a thought-provoking exploration of technology and morality through the lens of artificial intelligence. The novel's relevance to our contemporary world is undeniable, as it raises profound questions about consciousness, love, ethics, privacy, autonomy, and the moral responsibility of creators McEwan's narrative challenges readers to confront these ethical dilemmas and consider their implications for our rapidly evolving technological landscape. "Machines Like Me" serves as a compelling mirror to our own and perhaps a cautionary tale of the limits and consequences of creation.