“Mythology” Series:
Format: Each week we present a concise mythological story and draw direct parallels to contemporary AI concepts.
Goal: Highlight how modern technological dilemmas mirror ancient Greek tales, sparking interest about both subjects.
1. Mythological reference
In the Odyssey, Odysseus must sail through a tight strait. On one side waits Scylla, a six headed monster that snatches sailors. On the other side churns Charybdis, a deadly whirlpool that can swallow the whole ship. He survives by steering a careful line, accepting limited loss to avoid total destruction. The lesson is practical wisdom in the face of two bad options.
2. Parallel with AI and lesson from ancient mythology
Modern AI policy faces a similar strait.
Scylla of under regulation
If rules are too weak, we risk harmful systems, biased deployments, disinformation, safety failures and loss of public trust.Charybdis of over regulation
If rules are too heavy, we block useful research, slow medical and climate applications and push innovation to unregulated jurisdictions.
A sensible course needs tiered and risk based approaches. High impact AI should face strict audits, transparency and incident reporting. Low risk AI should have light and clear requirements. This keeps the ship moving while protecting the crew.
Lesson
Good governance is navigation. Set clear capability thresholds, align with international standards, keep regulatory sandboxes open, and revise rules regularly as the waters change.
3. Reflections and questions to consider
Do current policies distinguish clearly between low, medium and high risk AI
Is there a fast path for research and social good projects so we do not fall into Charybdis
Are there real penalties, audits and red teaming for frontier systems so we do not fall into Scylla
How often will we review and update these rules as capabilities advance
4. References
Iliad
On judgment under pressure and the cost of bad choices.Odyssey
Primary source for Scylla and Charybdis and the art of prudent navigation.Adrienne Mayor, Gods and Robots: Myths, Machines, and Ancient Dreams of Technology
Mythic lenses on control of powerful creations.OECD AI Principles, NIST AI Risk Management Framework, EU AI Act drafts
Models for tiered and proportionate AI regulation.
Love this mythological framing! The parallel between navigating Scylla and Charybdis and balancing AI regulation vs reckless deployment is spot-on. Given this dilemma, do you think we need a third path altogether - perhaps AI governance models that adapt in real-time rather than static regulations? Curious how you see this narrow passage evolving as capabilities accelerate.
Using the Scylla and Charybdis myth to talk about AI is an intersting way to frame the challenges of developng ethical tech. It really underscores how AI developers have to avoid the rock of over regulation on one side and the whirlpool of reckless deployment on the other. The refence to mythology shows that these dual threats have been part of human storytelling for centuries and we can learn from them. I apreciate the notion that there is a narrow passage for AI that requires careful steering, constant vigilance and humility.