The AI Doc: A Journey into Artificial Intelligence
Back in 1964, the renowned British science fiction writer Arthur Clarke made an intriguing observation. He suggested that while computers had “completely stupid” electronic brains, future generations might “think completely beyond their manufacturers.” This idea sets the stage for Focus Features’ latest film, “The AI Doc: or How I Became an Apocaloptimist.”
The film explores our tumultuous relationship with AI through the lens of its co-director, Daniel Lohar, an Oscar-winning filmmaker known for his work on “Navalny.” With a baby on the way, he’s pondering the kind of world his children will inherit as AI technology races ahead.
“The AI Doc” essentially offers a three-part overview of AI perspectives. First, viewers hear from doomsday enthusiasts. Next, there are optimists who believe new technologies can solve society’s problems. Finally, the film dives into insights from major tech companies leading the charge in AI development.
A striking moment occurs when Lohar poses the question of whether having children is wise, reflecting the stark divide between those who see AI as a threat and those who view it as a solution.
Lohar speaks with numerous AI experts, but three voices stand out: author Yuval Noah Harari and Center for Humane Technology co-founders, Aza Raskin and Tristin Harris, the latter known for her participation in the Netflix documentary “The Social Dilemma.” As Harris notes, it’s essential to look at the potential benefits of AI alongside its risks.
The documentary discusses a broad range of AI issues, from data centers to deep fakes, and the global competition to achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI). Lohar interviews several CEOs from major U.S. AI companies, including Open AI’s Sam Altman and Anthropic’s Dario Amodei, though significant figures like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg declined requests for interviews.
I personally don’t harbor an all-consuming fear of AI. While I use it in my work and see its potential for good, there’s always that nagging thought—what if an AI someday outshines me in movie reviews? Maybe that’s just my imagination running wild.
Lohar embodies the fatigue and anxiety many feel regarding AI. Yet, this documentary, co-directed with Charlie Tyrell, doesn’t claim to answer all our questions. After all, even the industry leaders openly admit uncertainty about AI’s future.
Renowned director Daniel Kwan, who won an Oscar for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” is on board as a producer, with art director Benjamin Fieschi Rose’s creative stop-motion animation adding a unique touch to the film.
Final Thoughts
“The AI Doc” serves as a timely exploration of the technologies shaping our lives. Lohar’s personal narrative elevates the educational content traditionally found in science films. Often, we turn to movies to escape reality, but this documentary does quite the opposite.
★★★☆ — Stream later
“The AI Doc: or How I Became an Apocaloptimist” has a PG-13 rating for language and runs for 1 hour and 43 minutes, currently screening in select theaters.
