AI’s Little Nudge to the Imagination

AI generated images of a potential optimistic future

In my ghostwriting day job, I recently asked one of my clients who writes about/researches technology beyond big tech to do a thought experiment to help me write a portion of his proposal. I asked him to describe to me what he envisioned a utopian future would look like, feel like, be like. He could describe abstractly what he wanted, but not what that meant in the day-to-day outside of what we already know. And when we sat down over Zoom to talk about it, he drew a blank.

And honestly, I completely understood. I was having a similar moment in a chapter of my book I’m working on, specifically as it relates to childcare. I knew that the babysitting co-op, about which I wrote recently, was a step in the direction I wanted for the future. But what that actual future looked like felt just beyond reach. I could really only conjure up what I know already. 

I was feeling the deep limitations of my fully-formed adult brain that became a machine for logical and real time events. The kind of imagination my 7-year-old regularly finds himself in seems so out of reach for me. This failed attempt at imagining a future beyond what I already know makes me exceptionally grateful–and in awe of–the minds that create speculative fiction. And in truth, there’s a reason I’ve remained fully in the realm of non-fiction writing. 

And so, with both me and my client coming up short with our imaginations, I took to ChatGPT with my questions. Which is to say, what it spit out came from the vast logs of incredible speculative fiction and science fiction that makes up its AI brainpower. And so while ChatGPT gave me what I needed, I still owe the output to all those writers out there.

And what it came up with was, well, kind of beautiful. With that, I give you an output from my prompt “paint a picture of a community in a post apocalyptic utopian society”: 

In the heart of what was once a bustling city lies a community that seems almost untouched by the ravages of the past. Tall buildings, weathered but still standing, form a protective barrier around a central square where people gather. Nature has reclaimed much of the urban landscape, with vines creeping up the sides of buildings and trees sprouting from cracks in the pavement.

The community is built around principles of sustainability and harmony with the environment. Solar panels adorn rooftops, providing clean energy to power the modest homes below. Rainwater collection systems dot the streets, ensuring that every drop is used wisely. Gardens flourish in every available space, bursting with vibrant fruits and vegetables.

Despite the remnants of the old world surrounding them, the people here have forged a new way of life based on cooperation and mutual respect. They gather in the square each evening, sharing stories and laughter around a crackling fire. Children play freely in the streets, their laughter echoing off the walls of the surrounding buildings.

In this post-apocalyptic utopia, the scars of the past serve as a reminder of humanity's capacity for destruction. But amid the ruins, a new society has emerged—one built on hope, resilience, and the belief that a better world is possible.

And this…

Imagine a community nestled amidst the ruins of a once-great city, where nature has begun to reclaim the land. Buildings, once towering symbols of human achievement, now serve as the foundations for gardens and green spaces.

In the center of the community, there's a vibrant marketplace bustling with activity. People trade goods and services, sharing resources and knowledge freely. The atmosphere is one of cooperation and mutual support, with everyone working together for the common good.

The architecture is a blend of makeshift shelters and repurposed structures, adorned with colorful murals and symbols of hope. Solar panels and wind turbines provide renewable energy, and water is collected from rain and purified for drinking.

Families gather in communal spaces for meals, laughter, and storytelling. Children play freely, their laughter echoing through the streets. Education is highly valued, with schools and libraries offering opportunities for learning and growth.

At night, the community comes alive with music and dance around bonfires. The stars shine brightly overhead, a reminder of the vast universe beyond their small corner of the world.

Despite the challenges of the post-apocalyptic world, this community has found a way to thrive, embracing a spirit of resilience, creativity, and cooperation. It's a beacon of hope in a world that has known darkness.

I mean, y’all, I got teary reading this. That’s kind of what came to mind when I thought of a hopeful future post-apocalyptic scenario, but this gave me an image I could fixate on. (I won’t go into what ChatGPT spit out for the prompts for my clients, but I’ll tell you, there’s a strange irony in using AI to ask questions about what a world beyond our current reliance on digital technology might look like.)

I realize that there’s a problem with thinking of any scenario as a utopia (can anything be a utopia when humans are innately complex?), but I also realize how essential it is to have something else in mind beyond what we already know. Because being able to see that not all futures have to look like or be like the kind of society we live in today just because it’s what we know. It also requires resisting the insistence drilled into us that the way things are (e.g., capitalism) are the only way. 

And while AI is most certainly problematic, having a tool to help us see what could be can have a transformative effect on us all.

Curious what your future imagination prompt for ChatGPT be? Seriously, though, post them and the output below. The more future scenarios we have, the better!