Intersecting Realities and Evolving Landscapes: Mapping Generative AI within the Framework of Digital Rhetoric

The increased usage of [Generative] AI technologies (GenAI) in the 21st century has called into the question the rhetorical agency of these digital things. [Gen]AI has historically been framed within a Heideggerian “readiness-to-hand” dynamic in which it has been unilaterally conceived as a tool to be used by humans. This dissertation proposes that the GenAI assemblage is capable of being a co-actor in rhetorical spaces. To provide evidence for this stance This dissertation utilizes Actor Network Theory to map the actants within a GenAI assemblage. In doing so it allows for an understanding of the stakeholders (both human and non-human) who play a part in bringing forth the assemblage. The map conceived from this research depicts the symmetry inherent within the assemblage: Showing both people and things playing a role into bringing GenAI technologies into the world. In addition, media archeology is also deployed. The use of media archeology is used to display how people over several epochs of time have attuned to the idea and manifestation of Artificial Others (mythological, mechanical, computational, and digital including [Gen]AI). The inclusion of this portion of the research is geared toward displaying the shift in attunement from Artificial Others as “present-at-hand” ideas and things to acting and influencing the Burkean Parlor. The findings from this section include discovering commonalities of thought creating lines within a rhizome: A rhizome of attunement to the concept, creation, and deployment of things that act in rhetorical spaces as well as in the world. The conclusion drawn from this research is that contemporary GenAI technologies still generally remain within a “present-at-hand” dynamic, but that they have also begun to influence rhetoric from within the Burkean Parlor as co-actors. This dissertation finds value in its mapping of the GenAI assemblage, the contour lines of said map via attunement to Artificial Others, and as evidence of a shift from Artificial Others as subjects of discussion within the Burkean Parlor to co-actors aiding in discussions within it now.