Bambini artificiali. La metafora del bambino e l’immaginario dell’IA

This article explores the pervasive metaphor of anthropomorphizing artificial intelligence (AI) as a child, tracing its historical roots and examining its current implications. Despite warnings against such anthropomorphizing due to ethical and practical risks, the child-like metaphor persists in AI discourse, both historically in foundational texts by figures like Alan Turing and Norbert Wiener, and in contemporary big tech and media narratives. The metaphor influences public perception, reinforcing ideas of AI's innocence and potential, while often sidelining the complexities and impacts of current AI technologies. The article critiques this view, highlighting the risks of underestimating AI's present capabilities and the importance of reframing the imaginary of AI towards a responsible integration of this technology in our everyday life.