Murderbot, AI, and Techno-Capitalist Futures

An Answer to Mike Kentz

The toxic role of science fiction

In the original Terminator (1984), Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a killer robot sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor, the mother of humanity’s future leader. In the sequel, Schwarzenegger plays the hero, still a killer robot, but now he is on humanity’s side. The other side is evil AI, as represented by Cyberdyne Systems and personified by the T-1000 killer robot, which mechanically carries out its instructions to murder Sarah and anyone who gets in his way. The T-1000 cares about nothing except its goal.

Terminator and its sequels are probably the best-known parables illustrating the future AI doomers like to imagine: Humans build AI. Then, AI develops a goal like making paperclips or murdering all humans. Then, an unstoppable superintelligence pursues that goal with maximum efficiency. Oops!

Charlie Stross’s exploration from a year ago in “We’re sorry we created the Torment Nexus” is my favorite account of the role science fiction has played in the development of AI.

Speaking as a science fiction writer, I'd like to offer a heartfelt apology for my part in the silicon valley oligarchy's rise to power. And I'd like to examine the toxic role of science fiction in providing justifications for the craziness.

To continue reading on a platform with fewer distractions, click here.