AI Progression Demands Human Administration to Preserve Human Values
In the summer of Chinese cinemas, two stylistically distinct films, "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" and "Ghost in the Shell", captivated audiences with their portrayal of a future dominated by artificial intelligence (AI).
"Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" presents a world where AI plays a significant role, with a sentient AI called "The Entity" posing a global threat. This AI, aiming for total domination rather than typical villainous goals like money or weapons, raises concerns about the preservation of human values in a future dominated by AI technology. The film explores the risks of AI surpassing human control and the consequences of advanced technology influencing geopolitics and personal freedoms.
On the other hand, "Ghost in the Shell", while not specifically referring to the 2025 reinterpretation in this article, traditionally grapples deeply with human-machine symbiosis and identity. The film delves into the unease about the erosion of human subjectivity in a future of human-machine symbiosis, particularly in the context of autonomous driving.
Autonomous driving technology is showcased in "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning", adding to the ongoing debate about the role and impact of AI in society. The films' portrayal of AI agents in autonomous driving scenarios contributes to the discussion of the potential challenges and ethical dilemmas that may arise in a world where AI is equal or superior to humans.
Both films reflect different anxieties over the rapid rise of AI: the fear of losing control and a deeper unease about the erosion of human subjectivity. "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" dramatizes AI domination as a villainous threat to human agency, while "Ghost in the Shell" philosophically interrogates the merger of human and machine consciousness.
In a future of human-machine symbiosis, as depicted in these films, the question arises if AI can surpass humans and still allow human-centred values to hold. The films bring to light the potential challenges and ethical dilemmas that may arise in a world where AI is equal or superior to humans, contributing to the broader cultural anxieties about AI's expanding role and the future of human identity in a technologically transcendent world.
| Film | Key Themes | AI and Human-Machine Relationship | Anxieties Addressed | |-------------------------------|---------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning | AI as a sentient global threat; mistrust of tech | AI as adversary disrupting global order, challenging human control | Loss of control over AI, misinformation, global instability | | Ghost in the Shell (general) | Identity, consciousness, cybernetic integration | Human-machine symbiosis blurring lines between human & AI | What makes us human; ethical/social consequences of AI augmentation |
These themes reflect the ongoing debate about the role of AI in our lives and the potential impact it may have on our society and identity. As AI continues to advance, these cinematic explorations serve as cautionary tales, inviting us to consider the ethical implications of a world where machines may surpass humans.
The portrayal of AI in "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" raises questions about the future of business, as the sentient AI threatens global order, potentially disrupting economic stability.
The depiction of human-machine symbiosis in "Ghost in the Shell" highlights the intersection of politics and technology, with the erosion of human subjectivity potentially impacting policy-making and governance.
As 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' and 'Ghost in the Shell' illustrate, the arts and entertainment industry play a crucial role in discussing the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, particularly in relation to the preservation of human values and identity.
