Horror author Joe Hill expresses deep unease about the rapid development of artificial intelligence, particularly its potential to erode trust in media and devalue human creativity. In a recent interview, Hill described AI as “part of the general rot” – a symptom of unchecked corporate power and reckless technological advancement.
Hill’s concerns extend beyond speculative fiction; his new novel, King Sorrow, incorporates critiques of social media and tech oligarchs, including Elon Musk, reflecting a broader distrust of unregulated technological influence. He argues that billionaires like Musk operate outside the bounds of law, shaping regulations to suit their interests rather than serving the public good.
The author is particularly critical of OpenAI’s Sora video generation tool, which allows for the creation of hyperrealistic AI-generated videos. He warns that Sora will inevitably flood the internet with misinformation, especially during elections, with little accountability from its creators. Hill points out that OpenAI executives, like Sam Altman, seem indifferent to the consequences, expecting society to simply adapt to a reality saturated with deepfakes.
This skepticism aligns with growing resistance within the creative industries. Authors, including Stephen King (Hill’s father), are suing OpenAI for copyright infringement, while animation studios and video game publishers are demanding that Sora 2 stop training on their content. Hill notes that the entire AI industry is built on “towers of theft,” referencing the widespread use of illegally scraped data to train algorithms.
He believes that while AI may automate certain tasks, it will never replace the value of genuine human expression. “There will always be a market for humans expressing themselves to other humans through their hard-earned craft,” Hill stated. The core of art lies in the struggle, the emotion, and the intent—elements AI can only mimic, not replicate.
Ultimately, Hill views AI in its current form as a sophisticated autocomplete, capable of generating plausible content but lacking originality. His concerns underscore a broader debate about the ethical and societal implications of unchecked technological growth, and the urgent need for responsible development and regulation
