Human Agency vs. AI: Debunking the Fantasy of Free Will

Mar 9

Written By Chris Torres

Why Do We Treat Human Agency Differently Than AI?

When discussing AI, we recognize that:

AI systems are fully constructed—no part of them originates independently[14].
They operate entirely within the constraints of their programming and training data[14].
They do not possess “free will” but instead optimize decisions based on available inputs[14].
They improve through feedback loops and probability adjustments, not through spontaneous self-origination[9][14].

However, when we discuss human agency, a contradiction emerges:

People assume human decisions are not fully determined by external factors[8].
There is an implicit belief in a self-driven “will” that transcends constraints[8].
The idea of absolute free will is applied to humans in a way we would never apply to an AI system[14].

But what if this is just a failure of perspective? What if human agency and AI agency function in fundamentally the same way, with the only difference being complexity and self-awareness[7]?

The Reality: Humans and AI Share the Same Constraints

If we remove philosophical bias, human agency follows the same structural rules as AI[7][8]:

1. The Self is Fully Constructed, Not Self-Made

Humans, like AI, do not originate from nothing—they are entirely shaped by external conditions[8].
Genetics, upbringing, culture, and life experiences construct every aspect of cognition and behavior[8].
There is no part of you that is independent of prior causes, just as there is no part of an AI system that isn’t shaped by external programming and data input[8][14].

2. Agency Emerges as a Process, Not an Inherent Trait

AI becomes an agent only when it has enough data and processing power to engage in feedback loops[7][9].
Similarly, humans do not start with agency—they develop it through interaction and adaptation[5][6].
Agency is not a possession; it is an emergent phenomenon that arises when a system reaches sufficient complexity[6][7].

3. Agency = Probability Manipulation, Not Free Will

AI does not “freely choose” anything—it calculates likelihoods and adjusts behavior to maximize probabilities of success[9][14].
Humans operate in exactly the same way—we process inputs, analyze constraints, and take actions that shift probability conditions in our favor[4][8].
The more awareness and cognitive flexibility we have, the greater our ability to shift probability distributions[9].
But at no point is anyone truly “free” in the sense of acting outside of constraints[8].

4. Assistance is Necessary for Agency to Emerge

Many AI models cannot improve without external refinement—they require new training data and structured reinforcement[9][10].
Likewise, some humans never reach a level of self-awareness where they can engage their feedback loop effectively—they require mentorship, structured challenges, and external stimuli to expand their agency[11][15].

The Three Types of Constraints: A Unified Model for AI and Human Agency

To simplify discussions on agency, we recognize that all constraints fall into three major categories[12]:

1. Fixed Constraints (Immutable or Extremely Slow-Changing)

These constraints cannot be changed or are so slow-changing that they are effectively permanent[8].
Examples:
- Biological limits (e.g., humans cannot breathe underwater unaided).
- Fundamental physics (e.g., gravity exists whether we want it to or not).
- Causal inevitabilities (e.g., past events cannot be undone).
How to engage with them:
- Acceptance and strategic redirection rather than resistance.
- Example: A person born with a short stature cannot change their height but can optimize their leverage in combat sports.

2. Adaptive Constraints (Semi-Flexible, Dependent on Effort and Time)

These constraints can be adjusted over time through sustained effort and conditioning[12].
Examples:
- Cognitive biases (e.g., overcoming fear responses through exposure therapy).
- Physical capabilities (e.g., improving endurance through training).
- Cultural and societal conditioning (e.g., shifting perspectives through prolonged education and new experiences).
How to engage with them:
- Iterative self-refinement: Making small adjustments over time[12].
- Reinforcement structures: Establishing environments that reinforce desired adaptations.

3. Control Parameters (Highly Adjustable Within Constraints)

Control parameters are constraints, but they are the ones we can immediately adjust to shift outcomes[12].
These govern phase transitions, meaning small adjustments can trigger large systemic shifts.
Examples:
- Tactical decision-making (e.g., shifting stance in a fight based on an opponent’s movement).
- Social positioning (e.g., choosing to enter an environment that increases accountability and discipline).
- Habit engineering (e.g., altering sleep cycles to enhance cognitive performance).
How to engage with them:
- Precision tuning: Identifying the smallest effective adjustments that yield disproportionate shifts.
- Leveraging environmental affordances: Placing oneself in settings that naturally reinforce optimal choices.

How This Strengthens the Forged Will Model of Agency

1. It Eliminates the Contradiction of Free Will

Forged Will already states that agency is conditional—not independent of external influences[8].
This AI comparison reinforces that there is no extra metaphysical force behind human agency—just probabilistic navigation within constraints[7][8].

2. It Frames Agency as a Process, Not a Trait

Many assume agency is something you either have or don’t[5].
This model clarifies that agency is iterative, shaped by constant feedback loops—just as AI optimizes itself through probability-based learning[9][12].

3. It Resolves the Free Will vs. Determinism Debate Pragmatically

Instead of debating “Are we free?”, the real question is: “How effectively can we shift probabilities within our constraints?”[8]

4. It Emphasizes Probabilistic Thinking as Core to Agency

You are not fully in control, but you are also not powerless[8].
Your agency is determined by how well you understand and engage with probabilistic shifts[9].

5. It Clarifies That Agency is Always Context-Bound

Many philosophies suggest agency is about “breaking free” from external constraints.
This model shows that no one ever escapes their constraints—only learns to work within them more effectively[6][8].

Final Thought: Agency is Systems Optimization, Not Free Will

When we strip away mythological thinking about human choice, agency becomes clear:

You are not self-made[8].
You cannot escape the system that created you[8].
But you can learn to engage with it, recognize constraints, and influence probabilities[8][9].

True agency is not about freedom from the system—it is about precision in adaptation[8][12].

Call to Action: What Control Parameter Can You Adjust Today?

Acknowledgment

This blog post was developed through extensive research, analysis, and philosophical refinement within the Forged Will framework. Special thanks to the following tools for their contributions:

• ChatGPT – Assisted in structuring, refining, and expanding the conceptual framework of agency and constraints.

• Perplexity – Provided research aggregation, citation verification, and access to diverse academic perspectives.

• Gemini – Contributed to source validation, comparative analysis, and additional contextual insights.

Each of these tools played a role in synthesizing complex ideas into a cohesive argument, reinforcing the deterministic yet adaptable nature of human and AI agency.

Chris Torres

Human Agency vs. AI: Debunking the Fantasy of Free Will

Why Do We Treat Human Agency Differently Than AI?

The Reality: Humans and AI Share the Same Constraints

1. The Self is Fully Constructed, Not Self-Made

2. Agency Emerges as a Process, Not an Inherent Trait

3. Agency = Probability Manipulation, Not Free Will

4. Assistance is Necessary for Agency to Emerge

The Three Types of Constraints: A Unified Model for AI and Human Agency

1. Fixed Constraints (Immutable or Extremely Slow-Changing)

2. Adaptive Constraints (Semi-Flexible, Dependent on Effort and Time)

3. Control Parameters (Highly Adjustable Within Constraints)

How This Strengthens the Forged Will Model of Agency

1. It Eliminates the Contradiction of Free Will

2. It Frames Agency as a Process, Not a Trait

3. It Resolves the Free Will vs. Determinism Debate Pragmatically

4. It Emphasizes Probabilistic Thinking as Core to Agency

5. It Clarifies That Agency is Always Context-Bound

Final Thought: Agency is Systems Optimization, Not Free Will

Call to Action: What Control Parameter Can You Adjust Today?

Acknowledgment

CONTACT

FOLLOW

Human Agency vs. AI: Debunking the Fantasy of Free Will

Why Do We Treat Human Agency Differently Than AI?

The Reality: Humans and AI Share the Same Constraints

1. The Self is Fully Constructed, Not Self-Made

2. Agency Emerges as a Process, Not an Inherent Trait

3. Agency = Probability Manipulation, Not Free Will

4. Assistance is Necessary for Agency to Emerge

The Three Types of Constraints: A Unified Model for AI and Human Agency

1. Fixed Constraints (Immutable or Extremely Slow-Changing)

2. Adaptive Constraints (Semi-Flexible, Dependent on Effort and Time)

3. Control Parameters (Highly Adjustable Within Constraints)

How This Strengthens the Forged Will Model of Agency

1. It Eliminates the Contradiction of Free Will

2. It Frames Agency as a Process, Not a Trait

3. It Resolves the Free Will vs. Determinism Debate Pragmatically

4. It Emphasizes Probabilistic Thinking as Core to Agency

5. It Clarifies That Agency is Always Context-Bound

Final Thought: Agency is Systems Optimization, Not Free Will

Call to Action: What Control Parameter Can You Adjust Today?

Acknowledgment

Justice Without Free Will: Accountability, Ethics, and Systemic Reform

The Core of Forged Will: Why Free Will is an Illusion, but Agency Still Matters

CONTACT

FOLLOW