From "World 4" to "Cultural Twin": The Ontological Crisis and Mission Reconstruction of Libraries in the Era of Hyper-Real Artificial Intelligence

From "World 4" to "Cultural Twin": The Ontological Crisis and Mission Reconstruction of Libraries in the Era of Hyperreal Artificial Intelligence#

Abstract: The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence technology, particularly the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AIGC), is fundamentally reshaping the mechanisms of knowledge production, dissemination, and cognition. This paper expands on Popper's theory of "Three Worlds," viewing AIGC systems as "World 4" with autonomy, generativity, and emergent characteristics, and explores their intrinsic connection to the concept of "Cultural Twin." By deeply analyzing the manufacturing logic of AIGC-driven "Generative AI Illusions" and its cultural consequences in constructing a "Hyperreality" world, this paper reveals the profound ontological crisis faced by libraries in the age of intelligence. The study argues that the medium ontological attributes of AIGC tend to dissolve the binary opposition of "real" and "false," directly challenging the traditional positioning of libraries, which have taken on the responsibility of safeguarding "World 3" (the world of objective knowledge). In the face of this crisis, the mission of libraries must undergo profound reconstruction: transforming from "guardians" of objective knowledge to "critical navigators" of hyperreal ecologies, with their core task evolving from content curation to context curation, dedicated to cultivating users' cognitive and ethical literacy, and ultimately taking on the role of defending human rationality as an "ethical anchor," thereby re-establishing their core value in the future knowledge ecology of human-machine integration.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; World 4; Cultural Twin; Generative AI Illusions; Hyperreality; Context Curation; Library Science; Ethical Anchor

1. Introduction: From the Hall of Knowledge to the Edge of Illusion#

Libraries, as guardians and disseminators of objective knowledge (what Popper refers to as "World 3") in human civilization, have long established their core functions and values on the collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge [1]. However, the emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AIGC) is challenging this stable structure with unprecedented depth and breadth. AIGC is not only an efficient information processing tool but also possesses autonomy, generativity, and emergent characteristics, capable of independently generating seemingly reasonable and even highly persuasive content [2]. This intelligent world, composed of AIGC systems with independent cognitive logic, can be viewed as an emerging entity beyond Popper's "Three Worlds"—"World 4" [2].

The rise of "World 4" signifies an increase in knowledge production subjects and marks a fundamental shift in the ontology of knowledge. Its intrinsic logic does not pursue objective truth but rather produces "Generative AI Illusions" based on probabilistic models [3]. These illusions are not accidental technical flaws but inherent characteristics of its medium ontology, tending to construct a "Hyperreality" world as predicted by Baudrillard—a collection of simulacra that lacks origin, is self-referential, and dissolves the boundaries between truth and falsehood [3]. When "Hyperreality" begins to dominate the information ecology, leading to cultural consequences where "truth or falsehood no longer matters," libraries face not just a simple technical adaptation issue but a profound ontological crisis. This paper aims to integrate the theories of "World 4," "Cultural Twin," and "Hyperreality" to deeply analyze the essence of the crisis faced by libraries and to seek a path for mission reconstruction that combines theoretical depth with practical feasibility.

2. The Ontological Positioning of "World 4" and the Evolutionary Landscape of "Cultural Twin"#

Viewing AIGC systems as "World 4" is a profound insight into its ontological status. It acknowledges that AI systems are no longer passive tools or storage media of "World 3" but are "intelligent entities" capable of independently participating in knowledge creation, with their independence reflected in autonomous generation, nonlinear combinations, and unpredictable emergent behaviors [2]. This independence provides the core driving force for the concept of "Cultural Twin" proposed by Xue Ke and others.

"Cultural Twin" depicts the future landscape of interaction and evolution between "World 4" and human wisdom, viewing AIGC as an accelerated cultural evolution "Mimi Machine 2.0" [1]. It concretizes the manifestations of "World 4" in cultural evolution and integration. However, this evolution is not an idealized linear progression. The "autonomy" of AIGC is constrained by the algorithmic power and inherent cultural biases in the training data empowered by humans [1]. This aligns with Liu Wei and others' concerns about the potential "illusions" produced by "World 4" [2], pointing to a core issue: a "World 4" centered on simulation and probabilistic inference produces "real falsehoods," which are eroding or even replacing the "World 3" based on objectivity.

3. The Ontological Crisis of Libraries: When the Foundation of "Reality" Dissolves#

The entire professional system of libraries, from collection development to information literacy education, is built on the self-evident premise that "there exists an objective reality that can be explored and verified." When the hyperreal characteristics of "World 4" dominate the information ecology, libraries face a profound ontological crisis.

Erosion of the Foundations of Knowledge Organization: If AI-generated content is essentially "illusions," then the standards for libraries' "selection" and "organization" will lose their basis. Are traditional classification systems and metadata standards sufficient to describe its "illusion" attributes, generation mechanisms, sources of training data, and potential biases? When "authenticity" is no longer the primary or sole evaluation criterion, how will the "authority" of libraries be manifested?
Challenge to the Value of Information Services: The role of librarians as information navigators is based on the ability to guide users to find reliable answers. However, in an environment where users may "enthusiastically create illusions" and indulge in them, the "real" answers provided by libraries may seem dull or even unwelcome. Reference consulting will shift from being "providers of facts" to "persuaders of reality," with the difficulty and complexity being self-evident.
Ineffectiveness of Information Literacy Paradigms: The core of traditional information literacy education is to cultivate users' ability to critically evaluate information sources and discern truth from falsehood. However, this educational paradigm presupposes that users still pursue "reality." When hyperreal culture makes people indifferent to "reality" itself, merely teaching discernment skills will yield little effect. The challenge faced by libraries is no longer how to teach users to "find the truth," but how to persuade them that "truth still matters."

4. Mission Reconstruction: From Guardians of Knowledge to Ethical Anchors of Hyperreal Ecology#

In the face of this ontological crisis, libraries' response should not be a technical fix but a profound mission reconstruction. Their role must shift from passive guardians of "World 3" to active critical navigators and ethical anchors in "World 4."

First, achieve a shift from "content curation" to "context curation." This is the core practical path for libraries to respond to the crisis. In the era of "World 4," the core task of libraries is no longer simply to collect and organize information content (what), but to systematically reveal and curate its context (how & why). This means that when providing any information (especially AIGC content), it is essential to simultaneously reveal its generation mechanisms, sources of training data, potential biases, and the possibilities of "illusions." Libraries should take the lead in developing new tools and metadata standards for in-depth annotation of AIGC content at the "metacognitive" level, helping users understand "how information is manufactured," rather than just "what information is." This "context curation" elevates the professionalism of libraries from organizers of knowledge to deconstructors and interpreters of the knowledge generation process.

Second, promote a deepening from "information literacy" to "cognitive and ethical literacy." Based on the practice of "context curation," the educational function of libraries must transcend traditional categories. This includes two levels: cognitive literacy aims to cultivate users' understanding of AI's cognitive patterns (such as probabilistic thinking, pattern matching), recognizing the inherent logic of its "illusions," thereby establishing a realistic understanding of AI capabilities and avoiding blind obedience or total denial. Ethical literacy aims to guide users to reflect on their ways of existence in hyperreal environments, exploring the value of "reality," the social consequences of indulging in illusions, and the responsibilities they should assume as digital citizens. Libraries should become public spaces and arenas for society to discuss these profound issues.

Third, take on the role of transitioning from "halls of knowledge" to "ethical anchors." In a world where values and realities are increasingly fluid, the most important value of libraries may no longer be the breadth or depth of their collections, but the ethical stance they uphold. Libraries must become an "ethical anchor," clearly advocating for critical thinking, rational inquiry, and respect for objective truth. Even if they cannot stop the proliferation of illusions, libraries should continuously provide society with a reliable reference for "authenticity" through their professional practice of "context curation" and educational services in "cognitive and ethical literacy," safeguarding the spark of human rational spirit.

Fourth, build a bridge from "knowledge islands" to a "hybrid knowledge ecology." Libraries should actively construct a "hybrid knowledge ecosystem" that integrates "World 3" and "World 4" [2]. This means continuing to safeguard and disseminate the objective knowledge created by humanity while cautiously incorporating AIGC tools and content into the service system through "context curation," and critically presenting and deconstructing them. At the same time, libraries should actively participate in discussions on ethical norms and governance policies related to AIGC, advocating for algorithm transparency and data fairness, ensuring that the evolutionary path of "Cultural Twin" serves broader public interests.

5. Conclusion#

The rise of AIGC as "World 4," with its inherent logic of "illusion" manufacturing and "hyperreal" construction capabilities, is fundamentally challenging the ontological foundation of libraries that have taken on the responsibility of safeguarding "World 3." This crisis is not merely a challenge of technological application but a profound inquiry into the future of knowledge, reality, and human cognition. If libraries are to sustain their core values in this transformation, they must undergo a thorough mission reconstruction. Through the practical transformation from "content curation" to "context curation," the educational deepening from "information literacy" to "cognitive and ethical literacy," and taking on the social responsibility of being an "ethical anchor," libraries can transition from passive guardians of knowledge to active defenders of reality and rationality, providing solid support for the healthy evolution of civilization.

References
[1] Xue Ke, Zhang Xinyuan. From Darwinism to Dataism: The Cultural Evolution Mechanism Driven by AIGC [J]. Journal of Zhengzhou University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 2024, 57(4): 94-99. [2] Liu Wei, Lin Haiqing. Artificial Intelligence and Popper's "World 4": The Cognitive Reconstruction of Libraries in the Age of Wisdom [J/OL]. Library Forum, 2025: 1-11 [2025-06-04]. https://link.cnki.net/urlid/44.1306.G2.20250604.1513.007. [3] Jing Yulun, Zhang Dianyuan. The Manufacturing Logic of Generative AI Illusions and Its Cultural Consequences in Hyperreal Construction [J]. Journal of Shandong Normal University (Social Sciences Edition), 2024, 69(5): 113-126.