Ask HN: Interesting movies that explore AI?

Upgrade (it’s not very good though)

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

I recommend the movie 'Her'. It's a bit whimsical and weird, but I always go back and watch it every few years.

Computer Chess (2013) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2007360/

A.I. Artificial Intelligence from 2001 (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.I._Artificial_Intelligence) that was developed by Kubrick wasn't bad for the first two thirds of the movie. The ending is pretty bad, and Wikipedia tells me my bias (that Spielberg made it lame) is probably wrong.

Ex machina

I like to think of Terry Gilliam's Brazil (1985, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088846/) as an AI film. The semi-automated steam-powered analog bureaucracy that everyone has to implicitly trust is an artificial intelligence that fails for the same reasons many AI systems fail.

Minority Report? Not so much the technology, but some of the issues that may come up...

Chappie, Tron Legacy. For anime, there's Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song.

Ghost in the Shell (1995) 7.9/10 IMDb 95% Rotten Tomatoes 4/5 Letterboxd

Amazing how much it was able to get right while coming out in the same year consumer did, and the philosophical questions it asked continue to be relevant. I rewatch it every year. It's available for free with ads on Youtube, in Japanese with subtitles, which is the recommended language to watch in. There have been many analysis written online that I recommend reading into after finishing the movie. It's a little slow and gives the viewer time to think. There's a independent show with the same characters that is sort related but not a sequel in any way. The 2017 remake is not a good reflection of the story nor does it stick to the original story in any way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHil4Y4r3Wk

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_in_the_Shell_(1995_film)

her

The film is called "her", it's such a small title I feel I should make that explicit.

I haven't actually seen the movie, and it looks like it might be a little cringe worthy (it has good reviews though), but from what I've seen and heard of the film it seems quite prophetic. Especially given what we've seen from ChatGTP lately. There was a post of ChatGTP acting as a therapist of-sorts, and it was surprisingly good at it, and the prospect of falling in love with computer personalities seems likely.

The film also appears to highlight the problems of modern society and how it is difficult to maintain real human connections.

The film is also unique because it looks at what happens if we achieve strong AI, and we control it and everything goes well and as expected. That might sounds like a boring utopia at first, but the truth is there's lot of problems society will face even if the machines don't try to destroy us.

The new Pinocchio! Admittedly watched it with AI on the brain, but if you think about it Pinocchio is an Artificial Intelligence with a lying problem, much like GPT. The whole story then explores his journey to become more like a real boy.

Ghost in the shell is a classic.

Generally, I’m not sure Hollywood is up to the task however with all the nuance involved.

Most resort to a “the ai is a person” model, but that’s a dangerous idea because there is no evidence there any sentience — just the simulation of it. As humans become empathetic towards machines that have no internal experience, we will begin getting manipulated in some really scary ways over the next century

Colossus: The Forbin Project : https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0064177

War Games: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0086567

Not movies but worth it:

- Devs (also by Alex Garland, director of Ex Machina) - admittedly doesn’t fit suuper neatly with the other topic recommendations but you’ll probably like it

- Can’t Get You Out of My Head by Adam Curtis

- Westworld

Devs. it is a miniseries and has only marginally to do with AI. you will enjoy it none the less. also there is Westworld. and ghost in the shell (and matrix, of course) Ex Machina is great, too.

Terminator 2

I realise you said movies, but some Black Mirror episodes (standalone) for your consideration:

Be Right Back

Hang the DJ

Metalhead

Edit: typo

I Am Mother https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Mother

The anime is not as good as the manga, but "Blame!" is all about a city where humans have lost control. Multiple AI have become mad with lack of purpose, each in its own discrete way, sometimes linked to humanity (either to kill or to protect), sometimes completely oblivious of them (never stop building for instance).

The movie is easy to watch and hopefully will get you to read the manga which is the real gem.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blame!

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt6574146/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_5

Upgrade https://youtu.be/36PDeN9NRZ0 (cyberpunk)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upgrade_(film)

Child's Play https://youtu.be/PeHNLikDiVw

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child%27s_Play_(franchise)#Chi...

Demon Seed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6O1NRs-YuU

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon_Seed

I can just remember watching demon seed when I was 3 years old. It CLEARLY had a rather lasting impression on me.

Electric Dreams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNf7bh7cpuI

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Dreams_(film)

Metropolis (メトロポリス, Metoroporisu) https://youtu.be/lj9ruL8B310 (dieselpunk)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis_(2001_film)

Napping Princess https://youtu.be/JWXnyjYrhhY

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napping_Princess

Toujin Kit (From Genius Party Beyond) https://youtu.be/FhCPw4w7rL0

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genius_Party#Toujin_Kit

Blade Runner 2049

Nobody mentioned it yet, but the original Short Circuit is actually quite good as well. There are plenty of cringeworthy bits, especially Fisher Stevens as an Indian person in "brown face", but the movie overall is a classic.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Circuit_(1986_film)

Automata https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1971325/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

and Total Recall 2070 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0159920/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_6