The idea of a complex, fully autonomous and free thinking machine is very common throughout pop culture. Upgrade has its own interpretation of this idea and represents it through STEM. The idea of STEM is feasible, but not without some changes. One of the biggest issues with the way STEM is detailed in the film is its physical size. He is shown to inhabit a single chip that is about the size of a thumb. However, the largest single memory chip we currently have is a 1-terabyte Micro SD card [1]. This chip does not have any compute units. Neuroscientists predict that the average human brain holds approximately 10 to 100 terabytes of information alone [2]. In addition, adding internet connection capabilities, STEM would need to be on a much bigger chip if a machine similar to its abilities existed in reality.
STEM also controls Grey's limbs by reading his brain signals. This technology is currently available and is gradually becoming more precise [5]. Limited research has been done on a technology that can reconnect a severed spine, but it is feasible that we will one day achieve that technology based on current advancements.
In regards to whether an AI of STEM's capabilities is even possible, there are many unknowns. Several scientists that believe it is possible and several others believe it isn't [3]. Ultimately, only time will tell if a machine will be capable of meeting the standards set by STEM in the movie.
Upgrade also highlights the use of cybernetic contact lenses and robotic eyes that accomplish a plethora of tasks throughout the film. A lot of the use cases revolve around creating a virtual overlay of the physical world or augmented reality. The contact lenses are actually currently in the prototyping phase at the University of Washington's College of Engineering [4]. Ultimately, the technology is not currently present, but it is feasible that it will be available in the future due to current advancements.
Cameron Faulkner, "SanDisk's 1TB microSD card is now available", (The Verge, May 15th, 2019), https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/15/18626729/sandisks-1tb-microsd-card-available-b-h-photo-amazon-price (5/7/2020)
AI Impacts, "Information storage in the brain", (AI Impacts, 2016), https://aiimpacts.org/information-storage-in-the-brain/ (5/7/2020)
Camilo Miguel Signorelli, "Can Computers Become Conscious and Overcome Humans?" , (Frontiers in Robotics and AI, Oct. 2018), https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frobt.2018.00121/full (5/7/2020)
University of Washington, "Contact Lenses for Superhuman Vision", (University Of Washington College of Engineering, 2013), https://www.engr.washington.edu/facresearch/highlights/ee_contactlens.html (5/7/2020)
Nicole Casal Moore, "'It's like you have a hand again': An ultra-precise mind-controlled prosthetic", (University of Michigan News, Mar. 4th, 2020), https://news.umich.edu/its-like-you-have-a-hand-again-an-ultra-precise-mind-controlled-prosthetic/ (5/7/2020)
Eren Zeyn Eroglu