When you think about artificial intelligence (AI), what comes to mind? Depending on your generation, you might picture HAL 9000’s glowing red eye from 2001: A Space Odyssey, or the remarkably humanlike Ava from Ex Machina. If you’re deeply involved in AI programming, your perspective might be centered around AI as a complex web of computational frameworks.
For decades, pop culture and science fiction have showcased the potential of AI. However, these portrayals are not always accurate and do not always promote its development in a positive way. Nonetheless, they have inspired countless curious minds to explore the boundaries of what AI can achieve, and even take steps to enhance our safety.
So, how exactly is AI influencing public perceptions, and is this ultimately advantageous or detrimental to its development?
We interviewed Rajat Mishra, Cisco VP of customer experience and pioneer of various Artificial Intelligence and machine learning initiatives, for insights.
The Drive for Knowledge and Comprehension
Firstly, let’s recognize how our stories and movies can help people become acquainted with and comprehend the complexities of AI. Explaining machine learning algorithms in mathematical terms can alienate most audiences. However, by referencing beloved characters or narrating an engaging story, we can prompt critical thinking about how AI operates and how we should approach it.
For instance, Rajat Mishra often employs Hollywood as a tool to explain complex technologies like AI to clients and the general public. He draws parallels to popular movies when explaining concepts like predictive analytics algorithms or the collaboration between man and machine. He has also expressed concerns about how certain films and franchises, such as the Terminator series, may hinder the development of AI, which we will explore further.
Fears and Worst-Case Scenarios
Many films, shows, and books depict AI as an antagonist or a highly destructive force. From a storytelling perspective, this approach makes sense: AI is still a mostly unexplored frontier with the potential for immense power.
Nevertheless, portraying AI as malevolent or as a tool more perilous than helpful can discourage people from embracing real-world applications of this technology. Whether it’s small-scale AI malfunctions as seen in Westworld, or large-scale takeovers akin to The Matrix, everyday consumers are presented with the notion that any AI system introduced is likely to seize control of its own consciousness and perpetrate harmful acts against humanity. As a result, they may be less inclined to support technologies like self-driving cars, even if they could save tens of thousands of lives annually.
However, these narratives sometimes prompt individuals to systematically consider the role AI could play in our lives. For instance, Elon Musk’s organization, OpenAI, is diligently working to develop AI responsibly and mitigate any ethical or existential risks associated with its emergence in our world. Additionally, certain narratives depict technology as more of a middle ground. According to Mishra, “Some believe machines will replace humans, and others believe machines will merely supplement humans. After thoughtful debate, we’ve concluded that for our services business it’s not a binary choice, but rather a conscious decision on where we want to be on the Man-Machine continuum.”
Technological Inaccuracies and Humanization
Most depictions of AI inaccurately represent technical aspects, leading to public misconceptions about the technology. In many cases, stories strive to humanize AI as much as possible, attributing human-level consciousness, self-awareness, and sometimes subjective feelings to AI. In reality, AI would likely not gain self-awareness and maliciously begin hunting humans; rather, the greatest risk would stem from its calculated decision to efficiently accomplish its task. It would only strive to achieve what we programmed it to do, and its worst actions would be unintended consequences of pursuing that goal relentlessly.
While there are some remarkably accurate depictions of AI in films and literature, these examples are infrequent and tend to cater more to sci-fi enthusiasts than to the general audience seeking blockbusters.
Positive or Negative Influence?
So, is the portrayal and presentation of AI in our fictional works beneficial or detrimental to its development? Certainly, we are introducing the concept to a broader audience in a manner they can comprehend. However, we are also planting misconceptions in their minds, which could impede our progress by significantly reducing public support for AI projects and increasing legal and regulatory obstacles for developers. In the words of Rajat Mishra, “I love movies, and Hollywood metaphors can be a powerful tool to improve understanding, but the real world is never as black-and-white.”
Ultimately, pop culture portrayals of AI will continue to reside in a gray area, which is beneficial because people will continue crafting stories about it. It’s important not to have an overabundance of stories that idealize or vilify such a potent technology. We can only hope that those most engaged in AI research and development will delve deeper before forming their opinions about robots based on the latest summer blockbuster.
