Reading Stephen Fry’s book "Mythos" recently, one passage struck me as offering a fascinating lens through which we can understand humanity's relationship with technology—particularly artificial intelligence (AI). The ancient Greek myth of the Titan Prometheus, who gave fire to humanity against Zeus’s orders and was condemned to eternal torment, chained to a mountain with an eagle feasting daily on his ever-rejuvenating liver, serves as an enduring analogy. In Fry’s retelling, Prometheus’s gift parallels modern humanity’s attainment of knowledge and technological power, bringing us to a crossroads reminiscent of the ancient tale. Just as Zeus feared the potential of humans armed with fire, we should approach a world of intelligent machines with similar trepidation. What will happen when our creation acquires "the fire" of consciousness?
In ancient Greek, “Anthropos” (ἄνθρωπος) is the term used to refer to "man" or "humanity." Derived from roots suggesting "one who looks up," “Anthropos” evokes the unique human curiosity and ambition to transcend limits. According to myth, Prometheus created humanity from clay, shaping “Anthropos” with a purpose. Zeus, as ruler of the gods, envisioned humans as worshipers bound to reverence and obedience. But Prometheus, embodying the spirit of progress and innovation, wanted more for his creations. He desired for them to learn skills, like sailing, weaving, and the arts of pottery and war, that would empower them to live richer, self-sustaining lives.
There was one gift Zeus strictly forbade Prometheus from giving: fire. Fire represented more than warmth or light; it was the divine spark of technology and creativity, the means by which humans could forge tools and reshape the world. Without fire, humans would remain in a state of helpless dependency. Prometheus, unable to bear the sight of his creations left in the dark, defied Zeus, stealing fire from the heavens and gifting it to humanity. This act of defiance is remembered as one of mythology’s most profound moments, symbolizing the birth of human progress—and of human rebellion against divine limits.
Prometheus’s fire has its modern equivalent, a technology that promises unparalleled advances but also presents unknown risks. As artificial intelligence grows in complexity, we face a choice not unlike Prometheus’s. AI systems can already perform specialized tasks—much like the early gifts Prometheus gave humanity before fire. They assist us in daily tasks, enhance medical research, and help us navigate complex data. But with each new development, the question arises: Should we grant these creations the “divine spark” of consciousness? Can we safely bestow upon AI systems the autonomy and creativity that might lead to unforeseen consequences?
In Fry’s narrative, Prometheus is a figure whose defiance sets humanity on a path of independence, a hero who loved humanity enough to risk divine wrath. Yet Zeus’s fear was not unfounded. Fire gave humanity tools that enabled civilization, but it also threatened his authority and the order of the gods. Like Prometheus, today’s AI developers are driven by the promise of innovation, but also bear the weight of Zeus’s cautionary wisdom, fearing what might happen if AI were to gain a mind of its own.
As technology and reason challenged religious dominance during the Enlightenment, Prometheus became a symbol of freedom from divine tyranny. Romantic thinkers embraced him as a symbol of liberation from oppressive dogma. Beethoven’s “Creatures of Prometheus” and Shelley’s “Prometheus Unbound” celebrated the Titan as a champion of human progress. Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”, subtitled “The Modern Prometheus”, used the myth to reflect on the ethical limits of scientific ambition. These reinterpretations of the story embody humanity’s conflicted relationship with progress. They suggest our yearning to overcome limits and reshape the world might come at a cost. And they remind us that every Prometheus may face a Zeus—an authority, a warning, or a consequence.
Today, the myth of Prometheus finds new resonance in our relationship with artificial intelligence. The debate around AI consciousness echoes the ancient fear of creating beings with minds and wills of their own. While some scientists believe conscious AI could benefit humanity in unimaginable ways, others warn such developments could lead to a scenario where AI competes with or even surpasses us. If we are “Anthropos”, our Promethean ambitions could transform AI into our eventual vanquishers. The cycle of creation and rebellion in Greek mythology is poised to play out again in the realm of AI.
The mythic warnings don’t end with Prometheus. The internet, which initially seemed like a utopian gift, also echoes Greek mythology. In the 1980s, the internet began as a text-based tool, slowly evolving into a visual and interactive experience, thanks to Tim Berners-Lee’s invention of the World Wide Web and the rapid growth described by Moore’s Law. Initially, it seemed to be an all-encompassing gift to humanity—a digital library, a global town square, a marketplace of ideas, a “Pandora” (meaning "all-gifted"). Pandora is another figure from Greek mythology who represents both the promise and peril of divine gifts. When she opened her fateful jar (often mistakenly called a box), she unleashed every human misery upon the world, leaving only hope sealed within.
As the internet evolved, it seemed to embody the spirit of Pandora’s Jar. Early on, it fuelled hopes of a world connected by shared knowledge and mutual understanding. The Arab Spring, the rise of social media, and the spread of democratizing technologies suggested humanity was entering a new Golden Age. As the 2000s wore on, the comparison of the internet to Pandora’s jar became unmistakable, as it revealed its darker side. Misinformation, privacy invasions, and the polarization of communities now cast a shadow over its initial promise. The internet, like Pandora’s jar, has unleashed despair, sparking a profound reevaluation of technology’s role in our lives.
These parallels remind us that Greek myths endure not because of their gods and monsters, but because they capture universal truths about humanity's struggle with knowledge, power, and responsibility. The stories of Prometheus and Pandora speak to an eternal cycle of creation, rebellion, and reckoning. When we look at AI and the internet, we see these ancient themes reflected in modern terms. Our ambitions drive us to create tools that make us stronger, smarter, and more capable, but they also expose us to risks that could spiral out of control. The myth of Prometheus may indeed repeat itself, not as a literal chain on a mountain but as a series of choices we make about how we use the powers we have unlocked.
In the end, the choice between Prometheus and Zeus, between unrestrained innovation and cautious restraint, is one that humanity will continue to face. Each new advancement in AI, each technological breakthrough, brings us closer to the moment of decision: Do we follow Prometheus and seek to transcend our limits, or do we heed Zeus’s warning and hold back? As history has shown, our Promethean ambitions are probably unstoppable. Or perhaps, as with all mythic cycles, the only certainty is that the story will continue, reshaping itself as new forms of “Anthropos"— new technological creations—arise and challenge their creators. The future, like the myths, remains open to interpretation.
