Machine culture

Levin Brinkmann (), Fabian Baumann, Jean-François Bonnefon, Maxime Derex, Thomas F. Müller, Anne-Marie Nussberger, Agnieszka Czaplicka, Alberto Acerbi, Thomas L. Griffiths, Joseph Henrich, Joel Z. Leibo, Richard McElreath, Pierre-Yves Oudeyer, Jonathan Stray and Iyad Rahwan ()
Additional contact information
Levin Brinkmann: Max Planck Institute for Human Development
Fabian Baumann: Max Planck Institute for Human Development
Maxime Derex: Toulouse School of Economics
Thomas F. Müller: Max Planck Institute for Human Development
Anne-Marie Nussberger: Max Planck Institute for Human Development
Agnieszka Czaplicka: Max Planck Institute for Human Development
Alberto Acerbi: University of Trento
Thomas L. Griffiths: Princeton University
Joel Z. Leibo: DeepMind Technologies Ltd
Richard McElreath: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Pierre-Yves Oudeyer: Université de Bordeaux
Jonathan Stray: University of California, Berkeley
Iyad Rahwan: Max Planck Institute for Human Development

Nature Human Behaviour, 2023, vol. 7, issue 11, 1855-1868

Abstract: Abstract The ability of humans to create and disseminate culture is often credited as the single most important factor of our success as a species. In this Perspective, we explore the notion of ‘machine culture’, culture mediated or generated by machines. We argue that intelligent machines simultaneously transform the cultural evolutionary processes of variation, transmission and selection. Recommender algorithms are altering social learning dynamics. Chatbots are forming a new mode of cultural transmission, serving as cultural models. Furthermore, intelligent machines are evolving as contributors in generating cultural traits—from game strategies and visual art to scientific results. We provide a conceptual framework for studying the present and anticipated future impact of machines on cultural evolution, and present a research agenda for the study of machine culture.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01742-2

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