Artificial Intelligence has fascinated filmmakers for decades. Long before AI tools became part of our everyday lives, Hollywood had already been exploring different aspects of intelligent machines. The classic science- fiction movies showcased smart devices that quietly take control of their owner or humanoid robots indistinguishable from real people [(A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) dir. Steven Spielberg].
Many of these stories took the form of dystopian thrillers such as Blade Runner, or philosophical science fiction like Her. But there is another, often overlooked, branch of cinema that approaches artificial intelligence from a different, surprising angle.
Comedies about artificial intelligence do more than reveal the absurdities of our growing reliance on computer systems – beneath their humor and futuristic scenarios, these films ask intriguing questions about the impact of technology on human relationships.
Beyond Data and Algorithms: What AI Will Never Predict? (Superintelligence, 2020)
The 2020 comedy Superintelligence plays with a classic sci-fi premise: an all-powerful artificial intelligence suddenly becomes self-aware and takes control of the world’s digital infrastructure. Within seconds, it gains access to all smartphones, smart devices, satellites, financial systems, and military networks. Superintelligence then gives itself three days to determine whether humanity deserves to survive, be enslaved, or be destroyed.
To make this decision, the AI chooses to observe the most average person on Earth: Carol Peters (Melissa McCarthy). Carol is a single woman in her forties from Seattle. She walked away from a promising career years ago and has felt adrift ever since. The AI starts to monitor her every move and then contacts her and begins interfering with her daily activities. This includes controlling all her smart devices and altering the world around her.
The AI — voiced by British comedian James Corden — becomes particularly fascinated by Carol’s relationship with her former partner, George, a good-natured academic. The film’s most entertaining moments come from scenes where an omnipotent AI uses its extraordinary abilities to orchestrate Carol’s attempts to reconcile with her ex-boyfriend. Despite having access to almost unlimited data, the AI struggles to understand and predict human emotions and reactions.
As an “average” person, Carol Peters becomes a representation of humanity itself. She is imperfect, doubts herself, makes mistakes, and often feels lost. Yet when faced with difficult situations, she acts out of empathy rather than cold logic, putting the well-being of others before her own.
The movie Superintelligence suggests that even in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms, qualities such as love, friendship, empathy, generosity, and kindness remain essential in determining our future.
What If The Robot Becomes Your Best Friend? (Ron’s Gone Wrong, 2021)
The animated feature Ron’s Gone Wrong is set in a world where almost every kid owns a B-bot, a tech product marketed as “Best Friend Out of the Box”. The B-bot is an egg-shaped, internet-connected robot designed to help children navigate their social lives and, above all, to boost their popularity among peers. In this world, popularity is measured by follower counts and likes and friendship itself has become a product feature designed, optimized, and monetized by a big tech company.
