Joe Hill on AI: Its just part of the general rot
In a recent interview with Mashable, acclaimed horror author Joe Hill shared his unease about the future, particularly concerning technology and artificial intelligence (AI). This sentiment is reflected in his latest novel, *King Sorrow*, a decade-spanning tale about six friends who enter a perilous pact with a dragon. While the narrative may seem distant from the tech-driven world, Hill cleverly weaves in references to social media and tech magnates, including Elon Musk, highlighting his critical perspective on the tech industry. Hill expresses concern over the unchecked power of billionaires who, in his view, operate beyond the reach of laws, prioritizing profit over the societal consequences of their innovations. He describes this phenomenon as a “general rot,” where tech companies continuously release addictive products without considering the repercussions.
A focal point of Hill’s critique is AI, specifically OpenAI’s Sora app, which generates videos based on text prompts. He argues that such technology could lead to widespread misinformation, especially during elections, as it allows for the creation of videos that misrepresent reality. Hill’s skepticism is echoed in the broader creative industry, where artists and writers, including notable figures like George R.R. Martin, are currently suing OpenAI for copyright infringement. This legal action underscores the tension between traditional creators and the emerging AI landscape, which many fear threatens their livelihoods. Hill’s father, the legendary Stephen King, has also voiced concerns about AI’s impact on literature, noting that his own works were improperly used to train AI models, raising ethical and legal questions about intellectual property rights.
Despite his reservations, Hill remains optimistic about the enduring value of human creativity. He believes that while AI may produce content, it cannot replicate the genuine expression of human experiences and emotions that artists convey through their craft. As he promotes *King Sorrow*, Hill emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling in an age increasingly dominated by technology. The novel, available now, serves as both a thrilling narrative and a commentary on the complexities of modern life, urging readers to reflect on the implications of our technological advancements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6EvB8WsTCs
Joe Hill
is uneasy about the future.
The horror author’s feelings about
technology
, and particularly
AI
, are evident in both his novel
King Sorrow
and his frequent posts on Threads.
Hill’s new
book
is a decade-spanning story about six friends entering into a terrible pact with a dragon. It doesn’t sound like the kind of novel that would be fascinated with technology, but mentions of social media and tech oligarchs — including several name checks for
Elon Musk
— are dotted throughout.
Mashable sat down with Hill to ask him about his uneasy relationship with tech, and why AI is a particular concern to him.
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Joe Hill breaks down the Stephen King references in his new novel
“It’s just part of the general rot, in a lot of ways. There are these tech companies run by these multi-billionaires who are richer than nations. Guys like Elon Musk,” Hill says. “None of these people really have to answer to laws, because when you’re that rich you just buy new laws if you don’t like the way things are shaking out. Or at least that’s what the cynical part of me believes. There’s a slightly more optimistic part of me that thinks they might run into trouble yet.
“But these guys, they don’t care what they break. They just release one shitty, reckless, addictive tech product after another on the whole world and you know, as long as it makes them money, they don’t really care about the repercussions.”
Speaking about artificial intelligence in particular, Hill is critical of
OpenAI’s Sora app
, launched in 2024, which can generate AI videos based on text prompts — and its second, 2025 version,
Sora 2
, has led to
a proliferation of AI videos being shared across social media
.
“OpenAI released a video tool, a video creation tool, which is just obviously going to lead to an ocean of misinformation in every election,” says Hill. “You know, videos of people saying things they didn’t say and doing things they didn’t do, and you know, Sam Altman and these guys just kind of shrug and say, people will get used to it. I mean, what kind of attitude is that?”
View on Threads
The creative industries have had a tense relationship with AI in recent years. Streamers and studios have come under fire for
using AI instead of paying human workers
, while authors — including big names like George R.R. Martin — are currently
suing OpenAI for copyright infringement
. (
Disclosure:
Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.) Animation companies including Studio Ghibli and video game publishers including Square Enix have
demanded OpenAI stop training Sora 2 on their content
.
Hill’s father, legendary horror author
Stephen King
,
wrote an essay for
The Atlantic
in which he spoke of his own “dreadful fascination” at the possibility of AI writing fiction. That was published two years ago, though, and Hill thinks his dad’s views have changed since.
“I don’t think he realised at the time that they had stolen 80 of his titles that they had literally downloaded from pirate sites like any thief. And I think maybe that was a little bit of a shock to him,” Hill says. “You know, all of this software is built on towers of theft, enormous towers of theft, to say nothing of the tremendous environmental waste.”
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Hill views AI in its current form as a kind of auto complete — something that spits out what it thinks is the sentence most likely to follow. It does make him worry for upcoming artists, but he doesn’t believe it will replace real art.
“I do think that there will always be a market for humans expressing themselves to other humans through their hard earned craft,” he says. “Not through typing in a prompt.”
King Sorrow
is available now in bookstores and online retailers
.
