French author Sylvain Tesson says AI risks turning humans into tools

French author Sylvain Tesson, right, speaks at a press conference at the French Embassy in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Anna J. Park

At a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining human experience, French writer and traveler Sylvain Tesson argues that the real challenge is not technological progress, but preserving the balance between culture and humanity’s natural instincts.

A recipient of three of France’s four major literary honors — the Prix Goncourt (2009), Prix Médicis (2011) and Prix Renaudot (2019) — Tesson outlined his philosophy of travel and writing and reflected on the evolving relationship between humanity and the natural world at a press conference at the French Embassy in Seoul, Wednesday.

Born in 1972 and trained in geography, Tesson began undertaking extreme journeys and expeditions at an early age, publishing his first book in his 20s. He gained recognition for travels in harsh natural environments, including crossing the Alps on skis and for writing grounded in those experiences. His work has long focused on reconciling the dual poles of the human condition — civilization and nature.

Reflecting on his lifelong devotion to travel and literature, the author described travel as the fundamental structure of his life, with writing serving as the echo of those journeys.

“Many people believe that those guided by natural instincts are indifferent to culture, while those with refined cultural sensibilities are detached from nature,” Tesson said. “But I believe these two must coexist in harmony. They are the most fundamental elements that define human beings.”

The cover of the Korean edition of "The Snow Leopard" by Sylvain Tesson, winner of the 2019 Prix Renaudot / Courtesy of BookRecipe

He added that this pursuit of balance between culture, literature and a deep love of nature has remained a central thread throughout his work.

“I believe there is a constant dialogue between the force of nature, from which humans can never fully escape, and the necessity of living within society,” he said. “My work is an attempt, in a metaphorical way, to seek a balance between these two extremes — the instinctive state of nature and the pursuit of culture and civilization.”

Tesson’s life also saw a dramatic turning point. In 2014, he fell from a rooftop, suffering 26 fractures. He spent a month in a coma, six months hospitalized and a year in rehabilitation to regain the ability to walk.

Contrary to expectations that such an accident would make him more cautious or restrained, Tesson's wild nature actually grew stronger and his desire for stimulation and risk intensified.

“I cannot say the accident changed my life entirely, but it strengthened my will to live,” he recalled. “I tried to forget the misfortune and move forward with life as quickly as possible.”

On the impact of technology and AI, Tesson expressed strong skepticism.

“What benefits humanity are tools that people can control and that genuinely assist them. A tool should enhance and sustain human capabilities. But I do not believe AI functions as such a tool," he said. "A tool should enhance and sustain human capabilities. But AI does the opposite; it creates desires and defines deficiencies. The relationship is reversed; we are becoming tools of AI.” He noted that travel, in contrast, helps people remain grounded in reality.

Tesson said he finds fulfillment through physically demanding journeys driven by his love of nature, fully immersing himself in both artistic and natural beauty.

“Human beings can be fully happy through art and the beauty of nature,” he said. “What we need is to recover ancient wisdom and our sense of nature, not algorithms.”

Tesson's visit to Seoul is part of his role as promotional author for the fourth Prix Goncourt Korea, a program jointly organized by the French Embassy in Korea and the Academie Goncourt. The initiative invites Korean students studying French to read and debate four finalist works — chosen for the Prix Goncourt, which honors the best and most imaginative French prose of the year — in their original language over five months before selecting a winner.

He used the occasion to offer a piece of advice to participating students.

“Reading is one of the greatest joys in life and a gateway to knowledge,” he said. “Opening a book is like opening a door through which a fresh breeze enters — it is a passage to encountering something new.”