Abstract:

The position of “strong symmetry” associated with Bruno Latour and the position of “weak symmetry” associated with Harry Collins and Steven Yearley constitute the central theoretical divide in the sociology of nonhumans over the past forty years. To what extent can nonhuman actors be treated symmetrically with humans? The rise of generative artificial intelligence has reinvigorated this debate while rendering established conceptual frameworks inadequate. As large language models become capable of dialogue, reasoning, and even explanation in natural language, the traditional concept of the “actor” can no longer readily accommodate this new kind of entity. By revisiting the theoretical controversy between strong and weak symmetry and taking the emergence of the “discursive actor” as an analytical anchor, this article examines the explanatory power and limitations of the two approaches in the age of artificial intelligence. While acknowledging the social effects of nonhuman entities, social theory in the digital-intelligence era must also uphold the distinctive status of human beings at the levels of meaning and responsibility. This calls for an integrative theoretical framework capable of linking description with prescription and present realities with future possibilities.

Key words: artificial intelligence, nonhuman actors, strong symmetry, weak symmetry, stratified symmetry