Is There Any Hope Left for Us?
After her previous documentary on drones and warfare, Norwegian director Tonje Hessen Schei chose yet another important topic to discuss: artificial intelligence (AI). Her new film iHuman, selected to the programme of the Tempo Documentary Film Festival, explores the world of AI through mainly static talking-head interviews, and it does it in an undeniably engaging, powerful and informative way.
Artificial intelligence surrounds us, and it will only become more prevalent as time goes by. Chatbots initiate contact with us on websites and algorithms select news for us or decide what updates to see. They even help companies to target us with ads and to potentially persuade us to do or not to do something. Like voting, for example. And the list could go on and on and on… We’re actually in the midst of an AI race where the ethical implications and ramifications of projects are often overshadowed by the celebration of a new scientific breakthrough. Reaching milestone after milestone in technology seems to draw much more attention than the question of What impacts does or will AI have on our lives?
In iHuman, director Tonje Hessen Schei and her crew set out to find some answers to this question. Across continents and disciplines, they interview some of the most prominent scientists and stakeholders in the field, investigative journalists reporting on the topic, and other professionals contributing to the larger discussion. The film touches upon the benefits, the risks and the political use of AI, the issue of privacy and the problems with facial recognition systems among others, and predominantly depicts – or predicts even – a dystopian future.
Although some of the developments explained will benefit humans, many of the people asked to share their knowledge and opinion lay emphasis on the importance of responsibility required to use AI for the better and not for the worse. For example, one of the interviewees foreshadows the possibility of a global dictatorship, while another explains how the creation of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI – a machine that understands the world and humans and is capable of doing various tasks) will make humans obsolete.
Image by UpNorth Film
With talking-head interviews driving the narrative forward, iHuman follows a traditional approach to the genre. And while its visual language doesn’t offer new creative solutions to push the limits of documentary filmmaking, every single minute of it demonstrates the filmmakers’ mastery. Accompanied by grandiose but not manipulative music, the different types of footage are blended seamlessly. The cameras capture moments in living rooms, labs and classrooms and at industry events, and sometimes drones pan over cities and mountains meanwhile the interviews continue as voice-overs.
The alternation of shots masterfully plays with the perception of ourselves, thus forcing us to constantly rethink our relationship with nature and technology. Once we feel powerful and omnipotent, while other times the tiniest, most insignificant and powerless creatures on the planet. Some of the shots do create the feeling that we soon need to enter The Matrix to ensure our survival. But whatever happens next, it’s indeed up to us.
Despite the complexity of the subject, the information flow never feels overwhelming. Viewers, also those not knowing anything about artificial intelligence and its everyday use, receive enough detail to form their own opinions on the subject. All of us are invited to examine our views on technology and take a closer look at the ethical concerns linked to the emergence of AI: Will we ignore the consequences of our actions and let our own aspiration of playing God, as one of the interviewees puts it, win? Or will we perhaps start caring more about the unwanted outcomes of technological advances? Will we start demanding more answers and responsibility from decision-makers? Or will we simply hope for the best as we’re convinced that the future will be good for humans?
It’s safe to say that Tonje Hessen Schei hasn’t changed course, iHuman resembles her award-winning film Drone (2014) a lot. They’re similar in style and tone and communicate similar messages. Both delve into ethical and moral issues, raise awareness, and encourage us to ask questions and think about our roles in society. However, there is not one but many main subjects this time. And while the focus slightly shifts from the past to the future, the actions taken in the present remain the most important. Not as if Drone spreads such optimism, but one definitely feels a bit doomed after watching iHuman. The question is: Is there any hope left for humanity?
