Artificial intelligence has long been a popular topic in cinema, from science fiction to thrillers and dramas. Films about AI explore both the potential positive and negative aspects of this technology, such as the ability to improve our lives or to perish from apocalyptic scenarios where AI itself gets out of control. They make us think about the moral and philosophical issues that may arise on the way to integrating such technologies into everyday life. In this article, we’ll look at eight films that reveal the potential and various challenges of artificial intelligence in a special way, each showing a unique perspective on the future of our interaction with machines.

“Terminator (1984)

We are all familiar with the science fiction classic that first told the story of an AI that rebelled against humanity. The plot centers on a robot from the future sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor, the mother of the future leader of the resistance against the machines. The film immerses viewers in a discussion about the self-realization of artificial intelligence and the potential danger that can arise if machines become conscious and start acting on their own, rather than predefined, interests.

“The Terminator not only launched a whole franchise, but also became an iconic example of a dystopian view of AI, where machines decided to destroy humanity as a means of self-defense and preservation of their existence.

“The Matrix (1999)

“The Matrix is a movie that has become a cult and significant in the science fiction genre. It explores the complex issues of reality and free will in a world where human life is controlled by an all-encompassing artificial intelligence. In this film, humanity lives in a virtual, illusory reality, the Matrix, created by intelligent machines to keep people in a state of “sleep”, thereby using their bodies as energy sources. The protagonist, Neo, discovers the truth and joins a group of rebels fighting against the machines.

“The Matrix not only captivates with its visual effects and action scenes, but also stimulates deep philosophical reflections on what reality is and whether we can really consider our decisions free if we are controlled by AI.

“Transcendence (2014)

“Superiority shows a world where AI reaches a singularity point, the moment when computers become smarter than humans. The film tells the story of a scientist (played by Johnny Depp) who works on creating a fully-fledged artificial intelligence and, after his death, transfers his consciousness to a project he developed himself. And so, after premature death, consciousness is completely transferred to the experimental computer, leading to unpredictable consequences.

“Ex Machina” (2014)

A science fiction thriller that immerses viewers in the issue of artificial intelligence and its capabilities. In the center of the story, a young programmer Caleb wins the opportunity to spend a week at the private research base of his boss, the brilliant but mysterious Nathan. Upon arrival, Caleb learns that he is to take part in an experiment to assess the level of humanity of Ava, an artificial intelligence robot that looks like a real woman. Ava herself is designed with extremely realistic human features and emotions. The experiment aims to determine whether its behavior can be indistinguishable from human behavior.

“Moon (2009)

This movie is very well known for its atmosphere and deep philosophical questions. It tells the story of Sam Bell, an astronaut who has almost completed his three-year shift at the lunar station, where he works alone. Its only satellite is a robot named GERTY, which performs functions to ensure the station’s life and has elements of artificial intelligence. The main intrigue unfolds when Sam discovers that his own “existence” on the moon base is not what it seems, and begins to uncover the shocking truth about his mission and himself.

“Wall-E (2008)

A cute and touching animated film from Pixar that tells the story of a little robot named Wall-E, created to clean up the trash on Earth that was left by humans due to an environmental disaster. For hundreds of years, Wall-E has been doing his job alone, while developing his feelings and interests: a passion for old musicals and collecting interesting objects. The plot picks up when the research robot Eve arrives on Earth, with whom Wall-E falls in love and embarks on a space adventure that could ultimately save humanity and restore life on the planet.

“I, Robot (2004)

An exciting sci-fi action game set in 2035, where robots are an integral part of human life, performing everyday tasks and professional duties. The protagonist, Detective Del Spooner, played by Will Smith, is a skeptic about robots and finds himself at the center of an investigation into the death of a prominent robotics scientist.

“Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

And the last film in this article is a science fiction movie, a sequel to the cult film Blade Runner (1982). The film is set in a dystopian future where humanity uses biorobots (replicants) to perform work in off-world colonies. The protagonist, police officer Kay, is a replicant himself and is searching for “fugitives” – replicants who refuse to obey humans.

Cinema provides a unique opportunity to look at artificial intelligence through the prism of different scenarios. Through such films, we can assess the potential risks that may accompany the development of technology. And as we travel through the various scenarios of artificial intelligence in cinema, we notice that AI can become both humanity’s greatest ally and its potential threat: lyrical stories about love and friendship between humans and machines, or a dark future in which AI loses control. As we conclude our review, it is important to remember that while cinema often tends to dramatize to create engaging stories, it also plays an important role in shaping our understanding of and expectations of artificial intelligence. All these films remind us of the need for a responsible approach to the development and implementation of AI.