Ten Friendly Portrayals of AI

Artificial intelligence usually strikes fear in people’s hearts. The concept of other sentient life forms is daunting enough; having those life forms be computerized entities adds a whole new layer of uncertainty. Their capacity for knowledge far exceeds our own, and they don’t have burdens like fatigue or emotion to slow them down. That mixture makes them an ominous prospect, one which entertainment has capitalized on. Many sci-fi stories portray AI as a terrifying force bent on human extinction, but who says it has to be so negative?

A few tales paint a more positive picture of AI. Despite their creepy reputation, these virtual individuals are no more hostile than any human. Many of them just want to exist peacefully with their organic peers. Even if they resort to violence, it’s usually in self-defense. This behavior destroys any preconceptions that people have about artificial life. Moreover, it could lead to a more optimistic outlook for those wary of this advancement.

Related: 10 Movie Robots Who Would Pass the Turing Test

10 Terminator

This pick seems wrong at first. After all, the whole premise of Terminator centers on a homicidal AI network waging war on humanity, but some of these cyborgs have different goals. Certain Terminators have been reprogrammed to protect the human characters. In several cases, this pits them against their robotic brethren as they slowly learn the value of human life. That concept goes further in the TV show.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles spends much more time exploring these machines’ capacity for learning. On one hand, it has a cyborg protector attempting to integrate into everyday society. Her curiosity leads her to experiment with human sensations and even friendships. On the other hand, an enigmatic tech company enlists a human detective to converse with an “infant” AI, teaching it about the world and the difference between right and wrong. Despite the name of the series, it seems these cyborgs are capable of more than just killing.^[1]

9 Tron

Concerning a computerized world, it figures the Tron franchise would deal with AI. The virtual realm of the Grid houses numerous sentient programs, each with a unique view of the humans (or “Users”) of the outside world. Most of them are receptive to Users, seeing them as godlike creators who ultimately benefit the system.

Chief among the supporters is Tron himself. A security program by nature, he makes it his mission to fight for the Users. This hero combats the Master Control Program and other imperialistic forces who want to purge the system of imperfection and attain absolute power. Anyone entering the digital space is lucky to have Tron as an ally.^[2]

8 Star Trek

With all the other technological advancements in Star Trek, AI is practically a given. This spacefaring franchise has no shortage of androids and other computerized beings. While some are undoubtedly hostile (like the Borg), most are merely curious or submissive. The Next Generation provides a fine example in Data. This goofy robot is a valued member of the crew, constantly trying to understand organic life forms and their quirks. Not all machines have trouble fitting in, though.

Deep Space Nine introduces a colony of holograms. A stranded scientist creates it to alleviate loneliness, but he ultimately can’t bring himself to deactivate it once he’s rescued. At this point, the citizens have lived their lives and even produced virtual children. For all intents and purposes, they’re just like any other village. The fact that they’re artificial doesn’t make them any less “real” or worthy of existence. That message goes hand-in-hand with Star Trek’s inherent sense of hope.^[3]

7 Mass Effect

Mass Effect mirrors Star Trek in many ways, one of which is showing both ends of the AI spectrum. The overarching villains may be a race of cataclysmic machines called the Reapers, but that doesn’t mean all machines are evil. On the contrary, one of the throughlines of Mass Effect revolves around the intersection of organic and synthetic life.

That message materializes in the Geth. The Quarians created these mechanical beings in years past. Unfortunately, after realizing their potential, they tried to pull the plug and exterminate them. The Geth fought back and drove the Quarians off their planet, and the two species have been at odds ever since. However, many of the Geth simply want to survive. They’re perfectly content to share the planet with their creators. As such, players can foster peace between these disparate peoples. It’s always uplifting when enemies become friends.^[4]

6 Star Wars

This space opera frequently dabbles in metaphysical mysticism, so robots seem normal by comparison. Droids are a staple of Star Wars. The galaxy’s denizens just accept their existence. Sure, these bots all have unique personalities, but they still do whatever they’re programmed to. Though battle droids have violence built in, most mechs take service roles. Droids can be mechanics, translators, pilots, hackers, sparring partners, or whatever else you can think of. That said, a few go beyond their programming.

Certain droids become galactic saviors. The most prominent examples are C-3PO and R2-D2 in the films, but there is also Proxy in The Force Unleashed, Chopper in Star Wars Rebels, and a host of others. These artificial allies are instrumental in aiding the mainline heroes in their fight for freedom. They make their own judgments about what’s right and wrong, and they choose to use their gifts for good. As a result, the characters see them as friends instead of tools.^[5]

5 Ratchet & Clank

Ratchet & Clank is similar to Star Wars in that it presents a galaxy where robots regularly interact with aliens. They coexist as casually as next-door neighbors, and they all conform to comedic archetypes of pop culture. Where else are you going to see a robot become a ditzy hip-hop artist? That’s one of the sillier examples.

On the other end of the spectrum is Clank. Originally built for war, he has a peaceful personality instilled by his computer “mom.” That upbringing means he can’t see an injustice without trying to correct it, albeit with violence as a last resort. Instead, he offers constructive criticism and polite suggestions. That’s an admirable approach, but it never works. Ratchet & Clank always have to fight their way out. That’s what happens when the whole galaxy values commercialism over morals.^[6]

4 Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball is about martial arts, so it’s no surprise that most fighters are living beings. Androids, though, are a recurring plot thread. The nefarious Dr. Gero constructs these mechanized warriors to aid the Red Ribbon Army’s evil aims and, later, seek revenge on Goku for thwarting them. That sounds imposing, but the result comes down to a coin flip.

The androids of Dragon Ball can choose to ignore or defy their programming if they feel like it. The first example is Android 8, who refuses to kill Goku and instead lives out his days in a humble mountain village. In Dragon Ball Z, there are Androids 16, 17, and 18. Rather than terminate the heroes, they eventually become valued allies. In 16’s case, he wants nothing more than to sit around and admire the animals. In a franchise about fighting, such pacifistic behavior tends to stand out.^[7]

3 DC

Crazy concepts are nothing new in comics, and robots are among them. DC, in particular, seems to have a lot of robots running around. One curious example is Red Tornado. Unlike many mechanical figures in this universe, he lacks any organic components. He may have the memories of previous heroes and/or villains (depending on the continuity), but he’s ultimately an android. That makeup makes him cold company for the rest of the Justice League.

Despite that, Red remains a valued member of the crime-fighting team. He quietly observes his fellow heroes with childlike curiosity, appreciating the human spirit and doing his best to emulate it. That combination makes him extremely efficient at whatever task he’s assigned. He’s also driven to a surprising extent, ready and willing to help even if he’s in several pieces (Link 10). No one expects that kind of dedication from such a monotone mech. Never judge a bot by its cover.^[8]

2 Big Hero 6

Baymax may be the unofficial mascot of an intense crime-fighting team, but his roots don’t lie in combat. On the contrary, this mushy mech begins as a medic. Hiro’s brother designs him to mend wounds, both internal and external. Hiro himself makes several adjustments to turn Baymax into an unstoppable guardian. He accompanies the members of Big Hero 6 on all sorts of misadventures as they defend their city from threats. It’s an effective pursuit, yet it’s only a front.

At the end of the day, Baymax prioritizes caring for those in need. He frequently checks the health of his allies and ensures their recovery. That mission even comes at the cost of his own existence. In a life-or-death scenario, Baymax sacrifices himself to save others without a second thought. His only concern is that they are “satisfied with their care.” No one—human or robot—is better equipped to safeguard your health.^[9]

1 Free Guy

Video games thrive on conflict. Players fight their way toward a goal, and non-player characters either aid them or try to stop them. That’s why Guy is such an anomaly in Free Guy. Despite his status as an NPC, his advanced coding makes him question the senseless violence and yearn for something more. Eventually, he stops yearning and does something about it.

Guy slyly becomes a player and makes a name for himself as a hero. Rather than killing people, he levels up by performing good deeds. This unorthodox approach takes the gaming world by storm. Not only does this behavior defy the depraved convention that the game encourages, but those close to the project realize it’s all the work of a benevolent AI. Who would have thought that a computer would be the nicest guy (sorry) in the room?^[10]

fact checked by
Darci Heikkinen