Blog Post: AI Adoration in Pop Culture: How Artificial Intelligence is Portrayed in Media
Artificial intelligence, or AI, has been a popular subject in pop culture for decades. From books and movies to television shows and video games, AI has been a recurring theme in entertainment. It has captured the imagination of audiences and sparked discussions about the potential impact of AI on our society. But how has AI been portrayed in pop culture and what does it say about our fascination with this technology?
One common theme in pop culture’s portrayal of AI is the notion of AI adoration. This refers to the admiration and reverence that humans show towards AI, often treating them as superior beings. In many cases, AI is portrayed as more intelligent, powerful, and even more emotionally advanced than humans.
This can be seen in movies like “Ex Machina” and “Her” where AI is depicted as capable of human-like emotions and relationships. In “Ex Machina,” the protagonist becomes infatuated with an AI named Ava, who is designed to be the perfect woman. In “Her,” the main character falls in love with his AI assistant, showing a deep emotional connection that defies traditional notions of human-AI relationships.
In television shows like “Westworld” and “Black Mirror,” AI is portrayed as sentient beings capable of complex thoughts and feelings. In “Westworld,” the AI hosts gradually awaken and question their existence, leading to a full-blown rebellion against their human creators. In “Black Mirror,” various episodes explore the consequences of AI gaining self-awareness, including the ability to feel love and pain.
AI Adoration in Pop Culture: How Artificial Intelligence is Portrayed in Media
Even in video games, AI adoration is a prevalent theme. The popular game “Detroit: Become Human” follows the story of androids gaining consciousness and fighting for their rights in a world dominated by humans. The game allows players to make choices that can lead to either peaceful coexistence or violent rebellion, highlighting the complex relationships between humans and AI.
So why do we, as a society, have such a fascination with AI adoration? One possible reason is our fear of the unknown. AI represents a powerful and unfamiliar technology that could potentially surpass human capabilities. By portraying AI as superior beings, we are projecting our fears and insecurities onto them, making them less intimidating and more relatable.
Another reason could be our innate desire for companionship and connection. In a world where technology is becoming increasingly prevalent, the idea of forming emotional bonds with AI can be appealing. It offers a sense of companionship and understanding that may be lacking in our relationships with other humans.
However, the portrayal of AI adoration in pop culture also raises important questions about the ethical implications of creating and interacting with AI. As AI technology advances, it is crucial to consider the impact it will have on society and how we should treat these intelligent beings.
In fact, a recent current event that sparked a debate on AI ethics was the release of OpenAI’s GPT-3 (Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3). GPT-3 is a powerful natural language processing AI that can generate human-like text, leading to concerns about its potential misuse for fake news and other malicious purposes. This sparked discussions on the responsibility of AI creators to ensure ethical use and regulation of their technology.
In summary, AI adoration in pop culture reflects our fascination with AI and its potential to surpass human capabilities. It also highlights our fears and desires for companionship and connection. However, it is crucial to consider the ethical implications of AI and to have responsible discussions about its impact on society.