Last updated: 04/01/2024
Note: Advertised (but never offered) at JHU, Summer 2023. You can find the course announcement here: https://events.jhu.edu/form/odysseyyousafsummer23
See my Youtube playlist (movies are not free, just their trailers), https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtIUKRnuBVlP1a3ivmDFMBTeGq70krafW
Introduction to the Short Course
The purpose of this short course is to discuss the ethics of AI, using movies as examples. Starting from the sci-fi movie Metropolis, attempts have been made to depict a world dominated by technology, venturing into a future where intelligent robots roam the earth and underprivileged citizens suffer due to the high cost of living. The discussion will revolve around a few movies, each related to AI/Robotics but focused on a different theme. The course will end with a final class on the new wave of generative AI models like ChatGPT and the ethical issues they raise.
This course will blend a study of the AI roadmaps of some developed countries vs sci-fi movies to understand the ethical, scientific, and political decisions we have to make now for a better and sustainable future.
Potential List of Topics
Robot-Dominated Societies in Movies
Peaceful Robot-Human Encounters
Violent Robot-Human Encounters
AI Virtual Partners like CarynAI, https://caryn.ai/?utm_source=neonpulse.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=virtual-girlfriends-alien-hunting-and-meta-s-new-ai-ad-tools
AI Hallucination, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucination_(artificial_intelligence), Watch the video: Why LLMs Hallucinate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfqtFvWOfg0
Selected Movies
We'll be discussing some of the following movies/shows:
Film: Metropolis (1927)
Why?: It is known as the science fiction masterpiece by Fritz Lang, created almost a century ago. It depicts the conflict between the upper class and the lower class.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gCeu3BRvuk&list=PLtIUKRnuBVlP1a3ivmDFMBTeGq70krafW&index=1
or rent full movie https://kinonow.com/film/the-complete-metropolis/5c9b92935fcac10fabaf0a30
not sure if this version is legal but it is kino's copy on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_4no842TX8
Read the summary here: https://julianwhiting.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/metropolis.pdf
Film: Ex Machina (2014)
Why?: The plot is around romantic interest developed by an AI female robot with a computer scientist
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBSYCM1oTNg&list=PLtIUKRnuBVlP1a3ivmDFMBTeGq70krafW&index=4
Read the summary here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex_Machina_(film)
and https://www.gradesaver.com/ex-machina-film/study-guide/summary
Film: Her (2013)
Why?: Similar to the above but here the movie depicts a real man who develops a relationship with a female AI virtual assistant.
Watch here (not free): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C51B50Qh6sI
Read the summary here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Her_(film) and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Her_(film)
The Philosophy of 'her' Explored, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGcBNACe80M
TV series: Westworld
Why?: The movie talks about the use of AI and robots for amusement, by rich humans. These systems do evolve beyond the expectations of developers.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/show/SCqjql1E2-B6Yq__sFuM53vA?season=1&sbp=CgEx
Westworld explained, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb7r9m-DYpU
Read the summary here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westworld_(TV_series)
Film: 2001: A Space Odyssey
Why?:
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peMX_zlIIA4
Read the summary here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey_(film)
Film: AI (2001)
Why?: The movie revolves around the innocent love of a child for her mother but brings in many philosophical issues into it, in particular about human experiences.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idBXGr5VRec
Movie Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4s7EzMeat8
Read the summary here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.I._Artificial_Intelligence