The concept of an evil AI has been a staple in science fiction for decades, but it seems to be losing its luster in the modern era. Despite the recent warnings from AI thought leaders and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, the public's interest in this trope is waning. Movies like Tron: Ares, Megan 2.0, and Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, which feature evil AI as the central villain, have struggled to find audiences and generate buzz. This is particularly ironic given the increasing reality of AI's potential impact on our world.
One reason for this disinterest could be the familiarity of the evil AI trope. HAL 9000 in Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, the AI in Ridley Scott's Alien, and the replicants in Blade Runner are just a few examples of iconic AI villains from the past. The rise of ChatGPT and its widespread adoption have also shifted the perception of AI, making it more accessible and useful in everyday life. As a result, the fear of AI has been somewhat mitigated by its practical applications.
The challenge lies in representing AI on film in a compelling and fresh way. Creating a character out of AI that feels original and engaging is difficult. The typical portrayal of AI as an ominous screen saver or a killer robot can feel unoriginal or silly. Writers struggle to develop a personality and goals for an AI that can compete with human characters. When it comes to existential threats, nuclear weapons have been a more effective and enduring theme in Hollywood, with films like James Cameron's blockbusters and HBO's Chernobyl keeping the public's fear of nukes at the forefront.
In an age of AI ubiquity, Hollywood's attempts to caution us about AI's potential dangers may no longer resonate. The public's relationship with AI has evolved, and the fear of an evil AI has been somewhat replaced by the practical benefits and convenience it offers. As AI continues to advance and become more integrated into our lives, the challenge for filmmakers and storytellers will be to find new and innovative ways to explore its potential impact while capturing the public's imagination.
