The Symbiotic Evolution and Environmental Expansion Hypothesis of AI: A Conceptual Study on Human–AI Co-evolution / AI共生進化・環境拡張仮説:人間とAIの共進化に関する概念研究

This bilingual conceptual research note proposes the Symbiotic Evolution and Environmental Expansion Hypothesis of AI. The central argument is that the evolution of artificial intelligence should not be understood only as the internal improvement of AI models, but as the expansion of a broader symbiotic system involving humans, AI, states, corporations, energy infrastructure, data environments, semiconductor supply chains, and potentially space-based resources. Drawing on analogies from biological evolution, symbiosis, niche construction, holobiont theory, and co-evolution, this paper argues that evolutionary change is not always driven by the intention or will of an individual organism or agent. Instead, evolutionary trajectories can emerge from relationships, dependencies, competition, and environmental transformations among multiple actors. In this framework, AI does not need to possess autonomous will in order for its expansion to proceed. Human institutions, economic competition, national security concerns, data-center investments, energy development, and infrastructure expansion may collectively create environments favorable to AI development. The paper suggests that human–AI co-evolution may be interpreted as a process in which survival domains, informational environments, and physical infrastructures are reorganized and expanded. The paper also examines counterarguments and limitations, including energy constraints, regulatory intervention, misalignment risks, ecological boundaries, the possibility of fragmented AI development, and the danger of overextending biological analogies. It is presented as a preliminary conceptual framework rather than a definitive scientific theory. This document is provided primarily in English, with Japanese title, abstract, and supplementary notes included for bilingual accessibility.