Ai is the craze right now.
Every other article in tech refers to some form of AI.
I thought it be interesting to revisit a film I watched a while back [2014] on the topic of AI with an artistic flair.
It’s called Ex-Machina – directed by Alex Garland.
Rewatching this film was a complete chance. Yet later compelled me to reflect on the concepts depicted almost 10 years ago with the timeliness of what is happening today.
This is my analysis.
The first concept we have to align ourselves with is something called the ‘Turing test’.
For those not familiar with the term, the Turing test is a method to determine if a human can tell if they are interacting with a machine or not.
If the human cannot tell that it’s engaging with a machine then the machine has passed the test. Simple enough right… but there are so many layers to this….
Right off the back, what I loved about this film was taking the Turing test and putting it on its head.
For a film set in a not so far future the idea that humans interacting with Ai machines in a smooth manner is not far off.
The real question then becomes – “What is the real Turing test? ‘ and ‘How do we truly define intelligence?”
Keep this thought in mind.
The movie starts with the Turing test in which a male tester was to engage with an Ai that is a machine female body.
Without going through the entire film, since that is not my intention, in the end we learn that the tester himself was deceived into thinking that he was in control.
Instead, he was the subject being tested by the Ai all along.
Which brought a different lens to question all together of The “concept” of the test in the first place… it goes beyond the “are you interacting with a machine test…” to levels way deeper once a base level of intelligence is achieved.
These topics become the subject of morality, ethics, and judgment. Things that only human beings, Apex species of earth, have been able to contemplate.
The film obscures it, making the question of true consciousness to not only have the ability to think about these things – but also to leverage them for personal gain.
In the end, [what I liked actually] is the idea that true intelligence encompasses all human-like traits… not just intelligence.
I’m talking about the capacity to love, empathize, create… Even to deceive, plot, or lie.
It was when she [Ai] successfully was able to trick the tester into releasing her was she truly ‘considered’ intelligent and ultimately had outsmarted the creator.
This brings into focus the idea of both the good (given) and even the bad traits are actually conscious traits of intelligence.
We cannot deny that deception, lying, manipulation, or seduction are intelligent as well as sophisticated methods to get what we want in life.
Why this topic becomes so interesting is because we find ourselves at an influx point of the widespread use of generative AI in society – accelerating fast.
While the discussion on “controlling AI” has always been present for the greater good, perhaps the ceiling to “break” is the full capacity to develop its [Ai] moral compass.
Which means understanding the concepts of manipulative traits that are inherently evil – but also part of being human?
To add more depth for example, in the film – the Ai could not only naturally engage with the tester, but even be relatable like another human being.
Leveraging empathy, or connection – the ability to relate to one another emotionally. These are one of many traits that make humans, humans.
One that is, I believe hardwired to the DNA of all humans for the longevity of our species.
The slow relationship building was a major theme in the film in forming this connection.
The premise, the machine is a prisoner and is being treated unjustly. Playing on the human connection of empathy she leverages this to showcase the struggles she endures as if a real human.
Thus, seeking the genuine help of another human to act in good ‘moral’ faith in helping someone in need. In this case to break free of entrapment.
Is this brilliant or devious? The Ai passes in every technical test, but now evolves into something else. Which even I question how to categorize.
Can true consciousness exist without the ability to choose between reckoning and creation?
The choice of wrong, and right?
Seems we are becoming ‘God like’ since if we compare scriptures from all religious sects, they include the element of “choice” between good and evil as part of the evolution for mankind.
Note – I am not suggesting that AI learn to become evil, with the hopes that it will choose morality and good values!
Although I would argue to know what is morally right, you must know the latter of what is wrong.
There is a fine line of knowing the 50/50 choice that still seems risky to me to hope for.
But if the film reflects anything, it’s the question of what true human consciousness is – in a lens that we haven’t thought of before. One that at least in this film has an unusual ending.
I won’t spoil it – but while the world races to create Ai solutions for personal gain, the lingering question of how we will integrate with such a new conscious ‘being’ is still up for debate.
These are interesting times, and I hope to see more thought leaders weigh in on this topic.
That’s my analysis at least.
