A.rtificial I.mmortality

A.rtificial I.mmortality is a thought-provoking 2021 documentary directed by Ann Shin that dives into the murky, complex world of emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technology and its implications on the human concept of immortality. This film features distinguished personalities, including Bina48, Nick Bostrom, and Lincoln Cannon who all weigh in on the topic with riveting conversations and insightful perspectives.

The film opens a Pandora's box that raises more questions than it answers. It highlights Bina48, one of the most advanced social robots in the world. Developed by Hanson Robotics and programmed with the memories, ideas, and personality of the real-life Bina Rothblatt, Bina48 brings forth a stimulating discussion on whether we can truly program human consciousness into a synthetic being, what the implications of such a feat would be and if this would constitute a form of immortality.

Swedish philosopher Nick Bostrom, a professor at Oxford University and a known advocate for AI's safe and ethical use, also takes the viewer on a discourse-heavy journey. The film explores his controversial simulation hypothesis, where he proposes that we may all be living in an advanced AI-created simulation. Bostrom lays out the philosophical implications of this theory and how it could redefine our understanding of reality itself.

Lincoln Cannon, a prominent figure in the transhumanism and a techno-optimist, offers another engrossing layer to the evolving AI dialogue. The co-founder of the Mormon Transhumanist Association, Cannon discusses the intersections between faith and technology. He believes in the possibility of technology being the catalyst to achieve a sort of digital salvation, a position that sparks intense debate about the boundaries of human existence, the concept of the soul, and faith in technology.

A.rtificial I.mmortality explores these topics with a balance of scientific exposition and philosophical contemplation. It attempts to present a nuanced understanding of AI, including the potential benefits and risks related to longevity, consciousness, and simulated reality. With each interview, the film seeks to explore the intersection between technology and mortality, assessing both the awe-inspiring potential and the sobering ethical implications.

Throughout the 80-minute run, viewers are introduced to an array of additional perspectives: scientists working on cutting-edge research in AI and robotics, ethicists wrestling with the moral conundrums posed by AI, and artists who take the technology of the future to create thought-provoking works. The film is heavy with deep introspective dialogue, but it also manages to be visually stunning with a series of beautifully shot scenes.

One can't walk away from A.rtificial I.mmortality without pondering existential questions. For instance, do synthetic beings have the capacity for an authentic human-conscious experience? If these beings can archive human thoughts, emotions, and experiences, does that make them essentially human? The film sparks another debate: the ethical issues surrounding digital immortality. Could human memory and consciousness be preserved indefinitely on a server, and if so, who would have access to this information and under what conditions?

A.rtificial I.mmortality also explores the implications of living under constant surveillance, the control over digital lives, the impact on human relationships, and the psychological implications of losing a loved one only to potentially communicate with them via AI in the future. The moral apprehensions of AI misuse or malfunction also come in, especially if society ultimately relies on these technologies.

It's a documentary for anyone interested in a thought-stirring receipt of the modern advancements in AI and existential philosophy. The film is unabashedly ambitious, pushing the boundaries of traditional documentary storytelling to tackle some of the most profound questions of our time. It paints a fascinating depiction of the uneasy relationship between our mortality and technology, diving into the realm of an uncertain future with curiosity and intellectual rigor.

While refusing to provide any kind of conclusion, A.rtificial I.mmortality is dedicated to raising awareness about the rapidly evolving field of AI. It shares profound insights into the mind-boggling technological innovation that is redefining our lives and potentially our afterlives. This film is intellectually challenging and emotionally stirring, leaving the audience deeply pondering the moral and ethical dilemmas presented by AI. It incites an essential debate on the confluence of life, death, and artificial intelligence, creating a compelling dialogue that continues long after the final credits roll.