​The "Gestell" Dilemma and Reconfiguration of Authenticity in Documentary Production during the AIGC Era

The "Gestell" Dilemma and Reconfiguration of Authenticity in Documentary Production

during the AIGC Era

Wang Meng

(1.Northwest Normal University，China)

[Abstract] The explosive iteration of AIGC technologies in the era of artificial intelligence haspropelled documentary production into a new developmental phase characterized by "human-machine collaboration and the fusion of virtual and real dimensions." Against this backdrop, this paper adopts Heidegger's critical philosophy of technology as a theoretical framework to systematically examine the deep coupling relationship between AIGC technologies and documentary production; it argues that the technical essence of AIGC aligns with Heidegger's concept of the "Gestell" (Gestell), which transforms all things in the world into "Bestände" (existing entities) that can be computed, scheduled, and utilized through a coercive logic; this process triggers a tripartite deconstruction of documentary authenticity: namely, the disruption of the "indexical" correlations within imagery leads to a disconnection between simulation and reality; the creative subjectivity is profoundly alienated by the technological logic; and an imbalance in human-centered ethics gives rise to a vacuum of responsibility, thereby plunging documentary production into a philosophical dilemma dominated by technology. As a new generation of digital media forms, AIGC exhibits inherent paradoxes characteristic of media tools, further exacerbating the crisis of authenticity in documentaries. Drawing upon specific creative practice cases from both domestic and international contexts, this paper employs a methodology combining empirical research with theoretical reflection, guided by Heidegger's notion of "poetic thinking," to explore pathways for reconfiguring documentary authenticity across four dimensions: the dialectical return to the instrumental nature of technology, the confrontation with poetic expression, the construction of ethical norms, and the reshaping of humanistic values; ultimately, this study provides a theoretical reference and practical insights for the sustainable and high-quality development of non-fiction visual works under the influence of technological empowerment.

 [Keywords] AIGC; Documentary; Heidegger; Authenticity

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