By Mitch Rice
The Simpsons made a knack for predicting future events that came to pass. Unsurprisingly, scriptwriters can see into the future and predict trends that could rule this generation. One premonition that came to pass is the disruptive technology brought by AI.
AI is revolutionizing the world with practical applications ranging from health, government, entertainment, education, security and surveillance, and finance.
There still needs to be consensus over the practicality of AI and its dependence on running different sectors of our lives. We witnessed how AI shook up the financial world as crypto investments skyrocketed. However, further interventions by governments to regulate the industry are causing a lot of debate.
Certain movies created a hunch about the revelation of AI and its impact on the world. At the time, we thought these were far-fetched views from scriptwriters that could never come to pass.
Today, we recap some revolutionary movies that predicted the splurge of AI technologies years later.
Orwell’s 1984
George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984, paints a gloomy picture of the aftermath of the nuclear war. He predicted a future where surveillance was critical in governing society. Big Brother was the all-seeing eye that presented an ever-present government hell-bent on keeping tabs on their citizens.
The continued surveillance of citizens through telescreens depicted in 1984 shows the potential of invasive technologies.
Even though it didn’t fully envision the introduction of AI, the author raises questions regarding the consequences of continued surveillance and its impact on people’s privacy.
In today’s society, we are witnessing AI disruptive technologies applied through numerous facial recognition systems, data mining, and predictive analytics. Similar to the tele-screen concept introduced by Big Brother, these AI systems track citizens’ movements and online activities.
Similarly, when signing up for a write my essay service, your government can track your personal information and online transactions. There’s little privacy given to citizens. This forces people to use VPNs and proxies to mask their identities.
The Matrix
Far from the high-octane action and bullet-dodging scenes, The Matrix was an early predecessor to a future of disruptive technologies and their impact on society. We were introduced to a virtual reality which traversed a parallel existence.
The concept of the Matrix triggered questions such as what if there is an alternative universe synched with ours where everything we perceive or experience is part of a simulation.
It showed a reality where machines dominate humans while we live in a simulated reality. The depiction shows AI using advanced algorithms to manipulate the fabric of reality. This created a dystopia with trapped humans.
Neo takes on the role of finding the truth about the mirrored reality, which reflects the current dystopia with the digital dominance of AI. It reveals the dangers posed by our unbound relationship with AI technology. It depicted a future where the AI creation surpasses the creator in our undying quest for seamless integration with the technology.
Currently, virtual reality is becoming popular in the entertainment scene. It is so real and convincing that many fail to tell the difference. Imagine a world where AI controls virtual reality. This is what the Matrix posits to the masses.
Ex Machine
Andrew MacDonald and Allon Reich question the consequences of dependence on AI technologies, similar to how students depend on a paper writing service for college. The movie’s plot revolves around Caleb’s scientific experiment with an AI robot, Ava. Caleb is interested in discovering Ava’s true artificial intelligence through interactions and prior knowledge about him.
The aftermath is a creation that surpasses its creator and seduces him. It leaves Nathan wondering whether Ava’s affection is real or part of a simulation. It breaks down into a large conversation about whether robots have consciousness.
As she escapes, we learn about Ava’s cunning ways that trap Caleb inside the research complex. It shows the manipulative nature of such technology and casts fear of a future potential AI uprising. The fate of humanity remains uncertain, with Ava interacting with the real world while showing human emotions.
I – Robot
How do you feel interacting with robots when looking for public services? The future-oriented movie welcomes us to a world where robots play an integral role in human lives. The film raises a provocative debate about the interaction of humans and Artificial Intelligence.
The main actor, Will Smith, develops a distrustful taste towards the robots. This is especially after a suicidal case of a scientist. The robots toe the line and follow rules of putting the interests of humans first. But, a rogue robot seems hell-bent on changing the narrative.
The main agenda revolves around the ethical and moral nature of entrusting robots to make human-motivated decisions. Moreover, it questions the unique nature of the relationship between a human and a robot.
One hot debate currently about the application of AI in different sectors includes safety measures. Most developers work tirelessly to ensure AI systems adhere to their intended functions. Any unidentified behavior might spark jitters in the public eye.
Robocop
What about a future where robot police could patrol our streets and ensure safety? Well, this isn’t a thought anymore but a realistic possibility in the current landscape. Robocop might have predicted the manifestation of AI.
Singularity was a major debate during the early 2000s that raised questions of whether man and Robot could merge and form a functional unit. Robocop posits that man and Robot could merge. And will the Robot subsume the human?
Police officer Alex Murphy gets severely injured while on duty and transforms into a cyborg. He leverages AI capabilities to make informed decisions, analyze data, and fight crime. Could AI improve the state of law enforcement?
Is the concept of singularity still a running suggestion, or are corporations heavily investing in a flawless utopia to present to the public? Is Robocop a mean science fiction or a narrative yet to come?
Final Words
Movies often endorse a reflection of reality. What surprises us is when some films have real-life applications that turn out more real than expected. These movies told us about the uprising of artificial intelligence in the future. We are living in that future.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
