Human Control of Technology (67)
Find narratives by ethical themes or by technologies.
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- 1 min
- Kinolab
- 2019
In an imagined future of London, citizens all across the globe are connected to the Feed, a device and network accessed constantly through a brain-computer interface. Eric is able to use Biometrics to keep Evelyn and Max hostage and get high-level access to the Feed hub. This highlights an example of how computerized security systems might not be able to pick up on hostage situations or forced activity. The Biometrics can recognize their faces, but is unable to pick up on the ‘distress’ visible on Max and Evelyn’s faces that indicate they are in trouble.
- Kinolab
- 2019
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- 1 min
- Kinolab
- 2019
Limitations of Biometrics
In an imagined future of London, citizens all across the globe are connected to the Feed, a device and network accessed constantly through a brain-computer interface. Eric is able to use Biometrics to keep Evelyn and Max hostage and get high-level access to the Feed hub. This highlights an example of how computerized security systems might not be able to pick up on hostage situations or forced activity. The Biometrics can recognize their faces, but is unable to pick up on the ‘distress’ visible on Max and Evelyn’s faces that indicate they are in trouble.
Should biometrics be totally trusted with security measures? What sorts of shortfalls of this approach are demonstrated in this narrative?
The Feed: Hostages-
- 13 min
- Kinolab
- 2020
George Almore is an engineer working with a company which hopes to achieve singularity with robots, making their artificial intelligence one step above real humans. In doing this, he works with three prototypes: J1, J2, and J3, each one more advanced than the last. Simultaneously, he plans to upload his dead wife’s consciousness into the J3 robot in order to extend her life. The narrative begins with him explaining his goal to J3 as he has this robot go through taste and emotion tests. Eventually, J3 has evolved into a humanoid robot who takes on the traits of George’s wife, leaving the earlier two versions, who all have a sibling-like bond with each other, feeling neglected.
- Kinolab
- 2020
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- 13 min
- Kinolab
- 2020
Prototypes, Evolution, and Replacement with Robots
George Almore is an engineer working with a company which hopes to achieve singularity with robots, making their artificial intelligence one step above real humans. In doing this, he works with three prototypes: J1, J2, and J3, each one more advanced than the last. Simultaneously, he plans to upload his dead wife’s consciousness into the J3 robot in order to extend her life. The narrative begins with him explaining his goal to J3 as he has this robot go through taste and emotion tests. Eventually, J3 has evolved into a humanoid robot who takes on the traits of George’s wife, leaving the earlier two versions, who all have a sibling-like bond with each other, feeling neglected.
Are taste and emotion examples of necessary elements of creating advanced AI? If so, why? What good does having these abilities serve in terms of the AI’s relationship to the human world? Is it right to transfer consciousness or elements of consciousness from a deceased person into one or several AI? In the AI, how much is too much similarity to a pre-existing person? Can total similarity ever be achieved, and how? Can advanced AI feel negative human emotions and face mental health problems such as depression? Is it ethical to program AI to feel such emotions, knowing the risks associated with them, including bonding with former or flawed prototypes of itself? If an AI kills itself, does the onus fall on the machine or the human creator?
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- 10 min
- Kinolab
- 2017
In the year 2049, humanoid robots known as “replicants” work as slave laborers in various space colonies for humankind. “Blade Runners,” like K shown here, are specialized police officers who are tasked with tracking down and killing escaped robots. Throughout the years, models have been getting more advanced and human-like, which is one of the reasons K, a newest model of replicant, is tasked to kill the farmer, an older model. The ultimate goal of corporate villain CEO Niander Wallace is to create replicants which can reproduce exactly has humans can, essentially becoming an infinite resource of human labor. He sees the newest “Angel” model as being the key to this.
- Kinolab
- 2017
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- 10 min
- Kinolab
- 2017
Robot Expendability and Labor
In the year 2049, humanoid robots known as “replicants” work as slave laborers in various space colonies for humankind. “Blade Runners,” like K shown here, are specialized police officers who are tasked with tracking down and killing escaped robots. Throughout the years, models have been getting more advanced and human-like, which is one of the reasons K, a newest model of replicant, is tasked to kill the farmer, an older model. The ultimate goal of corporate villain CEO Niander Wallace is to create replicants which can reproduce exactly has humans can, essentially becoming an infinite resource of human labor. He sees the newest “Angel” model as being the key to this.
If robots are created to essentially live human lives, can they simply be destroyed once their model is outdated and something newer comes along? Are AI entitled to compensation and reward for any labor they complete, especially if they experience sensations in a way similar to humans? If AI are minding their own business and not harming anyone, do they need to be eliminated? Who can prevent corporations from using humanoid robots as unpaid laborers, and how? Should robots ever be forced to destroy their own kind?
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- 4 min
- Kinolab
- 2017
K is an android who works with the LAPD to track down and destroy escaped older models of “replicants,” or humanoid robots, in a world where androids work as laborers without compensation. In this clip, we meet K’s virtual wife, Joi. Although she is not ‘real,’ it seems like she has real human feelings and presents like a human woman who provides K company and can complete tasks such as making him dinner.
- Kinolab
- 2017
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- 4 min
- Kinolab
- 2017
Robot Relationships and Marriage
K is an android who works with the LAPD to track down and destroy escaped older models of “replicants,” or humanoid robots, in a world where androids work as laborers without compensation. In this clip, we meet K’s virtual wife, Joi. Although she is not ‘real,’ it seems like she has real human feelings and presents like a human woman who provides K company and can complete tasks such as making him dinner.
What problems arise from using robotic companions to fulfill gendered tasks? How might this alter perceptions of real people? Consider how Joi is “typecast” as a 50s housewife, and can alter her appearance on command. How could virtual or AI female assistants and robots perpetuate harmful gender norms? Can robots truly love each other, or is this only accomplishable through specific coding? If humans are to give robots a full range of emotions and autonomy to live independently, are humans then responsible for providing them with companions? Would it be more or less uncomfortable if a real human owned and used the Joi holograph, and why?
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- 11 min
- Kinolab
- 2017
Rick Deckard was a former “Blade Runner,” or specialized police officer who would track down and kill humanoid robots, or “replicants,” which were meant to be submissive laborers in space colonies. K is one such of these robots, working in the same business. After finding out that Deckard had a relationship and child with Rachael, one of the first ever robots with the capability to mirror organic human reproduction, K tracks him down in an attempt to find the child. Deckard reveals that he was estranged from the child, abandoning them in an act of love to avoid trackers from finding them. Eventually, K deduces the identity of the child, and takes Deckard to meet her.
- Kinolab
- 2017
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- 11 min
- Kinolab
- 2017
Android Children and Human Parents
Rick Deckard was a former “Blade Runner,” or specialized police officer who would track down and kill humanoid robots, or “replicants,” which were meant to be submissive laborers in space colonies. K is one such of these robots, working in the same business. After finding out that Deckard had a relationship and child with Rachael, one of the first ever robots with the capability to mirror organic human reproduction, K tracks him down in an attempt to find the child. Deckard reveals that he was estranged from the child, abandoning them in an act of love to avoid trackers from finding them. Eventually, K deduces the identity of the child, and takes Deckard to meet her.
Should robots be able to reproduce just as humans can? How can their rights to their own children then be ensured, especially in the sense that the parent may “belong” to someone else? What if a humanoid robot does not receive the same degree of love from a human parent on the basis of being a robot? Should robot reproduction ever become possible if it potentially means creating a new class of humanoid beings who will experience oppression and a need to fight for rights, respect, and love?
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- 13 min
- Kinolab
- 2001
In an imagined 22nd century in which climate change has wreaked havoc on the Earth, scientists have created “Mechas,” or humanoid robots. A certain group of scientists begins to dedicate themselves to creating a robot who is capable of love and of having dreams. David, one of these new robots, is tested with Monica, a mother whose son is in a coma after contracting a mysterious disease.
- Kinolab
- 2001
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- 13 min
- Kinolab
- 2001
Relationships and Love with Robotic Children
In an imagined 22nd century in which climate change has wreaked havoc on the Earth, scientists have created “Mechas,” or humanoid robots. A certain group of scientists begins to dedicate themselves to creating a robot who is capable of love and of having dreams. David, one of these new robots, is tested with Monica, a mother whose son is in a coma after contracting a mysterious disease.
Do humans have the capacity to love robots back as much as a robot may love them? Is the creation of robotic children a valid way to help former or prospective parents through a grieving process? What are the implications of a robot outliving those that they may love? Is the view of robots as “fake” or “disposable” compatible with their capability to love?