Artificial intelligence in cinema

Introduction

Artificial intelligence in cinema seems current, but, since "Journey to the Moon" (the first science fiction film) was released in 1902, a large number of films have been developed in cinema in which artificial intelligence is involved. For the general public, plots that revolve around machines, robots and derivatives are always of great interest, having created a series of iconic characters over time.

Characters like: HAL 9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey, 1968), Wall-E (Wall-E, 2008), C-3PO and R2-D2 (Star Wars Saga, since 1977) or David (Artificial Intelligence, 2001). These are some of the examples that come to mind when we think of mythical characters from the seventh art that represent intelligent systems.

HAL 9000

Movies to "imagine" the future of AI

I, Robot

There are a large number of films and series based on the writings of Isaac Asimov (1920-1992), considered the father of the word "robotics" and what are considered the "laws of robotics." "I, Robot" is one of these films, the film starring Will Smith takes place in one of these universes created by Asimov. In the film, Sonny, a humanoid robot, is accused of killing his creator, thus breaking the "laws of robotics."

Terminator

Terminator is one of the most iconic sagas in the history of cinema, which left phrases like "sayonara, baby". In it we can see a scenario of destruction in which the artificial intelligence called «skynet» aims to control the world and exterminate humanity. This James Cameron film focuses on the need to develop AI following a series of ethical values. That is if we don't want to be involved in a fight against an exterminating robot.

Terminator

Be right back (Black Mirror)

It is not a movie, but in Black Mirror we have a great Netflix series that never leaves you indifferent, and in which we have been able to see somewhat dystopian scenarios (and others that are no longer so dystopian over time). «Be right back» revolves around a young couple, Ash and Martha. Ash is murdered and the possibility arises of being able to remain in contact with him once he is dead by creating a copy of synthetic flesh and creating his "memories" based on Ash's presence on networks. The problem with this new "relationship" comes when you see that does not have any type of emotion or personality trait without her asking. So the debate we enter into is, Would a copy of a loved one help us cope with their loss?

Her

Perhaps this film is the one that we can consider the least science fiction, because who has not ever spoken to a chatbot? In this film starring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson we see how he maintains a romantic relationship with an application programmed to understand him as if she were his girlfriend. In the not too distant future, Will we be able to see people having romantic relationships with machines made to their measurements? In fact, in 2018 A Japanese man already married a hologram, so perhaps the scenario proposed by "Her" is not too far-fetched.

Her

blade runner

The Turing test made into a movie. That's the Ridley Scott movie released in 1982, a test in which we will have to distinguish between an artificial intelligence and a human, and in the case of artificial intelligences, if they can become so conscious that they deserve the same rights as us. The end of the film leaves several very interesting questions in the air about these issues, one more reason to see this great film.

Fact or fiction?

How much reality is there in these movies? It is a question that the public can ask itself once it is finished "Blade Runner" or «Her». And to reassure you, no, exterminating robots or killer AIs do not exist and are far from it, machines that think for themselves with the aim of achieving their own benefit is a reality that is successful in the world of cinema but that in the real world has no scope (at the moment). Although on the other hand, it must be said that AI has changed our lives and that is indeed a reality.

Bibliography

UEMC-https://grados.uemc.es/blog/la-inteligencia-artificial-en-el-cine

La Vanguardia (April 2021)-https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/junior-report/20210309/6263567/robotica-inteligencia-artificial-cine.html

Telefónica Foundation-https://espacio.fundaciontelefonica.com/evento/inteligencia-artificial-en-el-cine/

Ethic (July 2021)-https://ethic.es/2021/07/siete-peliculas-para-comprender-el-futuro-de-la-inteligencia-artificial/

Written by

Alejandro Ferrer

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