Take in a sunset, a snowstorm or a baby’s cry, and see why AI is no threat to art | Ai Weiwei

Technology is no match for the human will, with all its potential for beauty, creativity and the possibility of making mistakes

• Ai Weiwei is a Chinese contemporary artist, documentarian and activist

Contemplating the correlation between scientific and technological advancements and human happiness reveals a stark reality, reminiscent of the revelation brought about by a photograph unveiling the moon's surface, extinguishing millennia of humanity's enchanting fantasies. In a parallel vein, today's harsh reality witnesses technology reducing age-old modes of poetic expression and the warmth of art to a somewhat barbaric artifice.

Throughout the development of society, new technological discoveries have shaped the course of humankind. From the primal discovery of fire to the emergence of language for communication, music and dance, each step represented an expression of humanity's desire to communicate and transmit messages. Ancient cave paintings depicting hunting scenes and people in motion, and the mineral-red handprints on mountain cliffs provide glimpses into the thoughts of our ancestors. In their struggles and fights, they found inspiration in the flowing of blood and the beating of their hearts, fostering a renewed understanding of themselves and a heightened passion for life. Despite life's challenges and the formidable forces of nature, humans persists in walking out of their metaphorical caves. The extent of their fantasies surpasses the potent fears in their hearts. Courage and confidence for living stem from the exploration of the inner worlds.

Ai Weiwei is a Chinese contemporary artist, documentarian and activist. His new exhibition, Ai vs AI is part of CIRCA 20:24 (11 January until 31 March) on Piccadilly Lights, London