I have always had a special place in my heart for Artificial Intelligence or AI. If there is a movie about a robot, it is a guarantee that I am going to be overcome with emotions and cry. There is just something so moving about an AI character becoming sentient or experiencing sadness and loss or love. I thoroughly enjoy a story plot where a non-human character strives to experience the human life that so many humans take for granted. Like I said earlier, it makes me cry and become overcome with emotions. I guess you could say that I am sensitive to their plight.
Gene Rodenberry, the creator of Star Trek, cleverly incorporated the social concept of an AI’s desire to experience humanity into his stories. There are countless episodes where an AI character is experiencing some type of human dilemma and learning how to navigate the tricky waters of human life.
Data was not programmed to want to be human. He was created to be less devious than his predecessor, but Data exceeded the expectations of his creator Doctor Noonien Soong. Throughout Star Trek: Next Generation, Data explores many areas of human life, from pet ownership, parenthood, role playing, art and hobbies, and even a romantic life. One of the most notable episodes is when he attempts to create a human-like laughter that comes out quite off-putting. He wants to experience it all, and he wants to fit in, just like the rest of us. One of the strongest desires that Data has is to experience life with another form like himself. When he meets his brother, who is corrupted, Data tries to help him, and it almost seems as if Data can feel remorse at the loss of his brother. He also experiences deep what could be grief when he creates his daughter Lal, who dies soon after her creation.
The Doctor, an “Emergency Medical Hologram Mark I” from Star Trek: Voyager, is another great example. He is a holographic projection from a computer program originally sequestered and unable to leave the sickbay, the medical clinic aboard the starship. He is the only medical professional aboard the ship, and he soon finds that he has to adapt in order to fulfill the ship's needs. Although The Doctor comes off as an arrogant rendition of his creator, he is quite humorous, sarcastic and skillful in the arts, he later develops into an author and activist for other holographic “lifeforms” and their rights.
One other character from Star Trek: Voyager I want to include, although not an artificial intelligence, can relate in many ways to both Data and The Doctor. Seven of Nine was only a young girl when she was assimilated by the Borg. She grew into an adult and lived many years among the Collective where having hobbies and personal time was nonexistent. Everyone is connected in the collective, a mental network in which all Borg communicate as one, and any activity is done for the sole purpose of efficiency for the hive. Once Seven of Nine was liberated from the Borg, she had to learn to fit in with her fellow crewmates. Although she wanted to return to the Collective, and had no desire to return to her human life, Captain Janeway knew that living the life of an individual was best for her. Seven of Nine struggles through many years trying to hide away from the crew, and everyone aboard the ship does their best to unfold her personality that they believe is metaphorically hiding underneath her Borg implants. I love the complexity of her character and how they explore the reverse experience of assimilation and the desire to not conform or experience humanity.
If you are moved by these characters as much as I am, I encourage you to check out the following movies:
Bicentennial Man
Artificial intelligence: AI
Her
Silent Running
Another notable movie that I want to recommend is Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, which touches on human rights for non-humans.
Do you have a favorite movie or book plot that explores artificial intelligence seeking the human experience? I would love for you to share in the comments or on our MMC Facebook chat page!
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