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How has the portrayal of artificial intelligence in science fiction literature evolved over time?

Journey Redihalgh

Well, I think that the portrayal of artificial intelligence in science fiction literature has really changed a lot over the years. If you think back to some of the really classic examples of the genre, like Frankenstein or 2001: A Space Odyssey, the focus was often on the danger of creating intelligent machines. Frankenstein's monster was created by a human who wanted to play God, while HAL 9000 in 2001 was corrupted by the programming that humans gave it.

But as time has gone on, the portrayal of AI has become more nuanced. Authors are starting to explore the possibility that these machines might be capable of more than just causing destruction. They could even form emotional bonds with humans, like we see in the movie Her.

I also think that the portrayal of AI is becoming more diverse. It used to be that robots were mostly depicted as being male, without much personality or individuality. But now we are seeing a wider range of characters - from the playful Baymax in Big Hero 6 to the complex androids in Blade Runner. This is great because it makes the stories more interesting and relatable to a wider range of people.

Another interesting evolution is the question of whether or not AI can be considered "alive". This is a key theme in the recent show Westworld, where robots have been programmed to seem human but are still treated as machines. This is a really fascinating idea and I think it will continue to be explored in science fiction in the years to come.

Of course, not all portrayals of AI have been positive. There are still plenty of stories that depict machines going rogue and turning on their creators. But I think we are moving towards a more balanced view of what these intelligent machines could be capable of.

Overall, I think the change in the portrayal of artificial intelligence in science fiction literature reflects the way society's understanding of technology has evolved. As we learn more about what these machines can do, we are becoming more interested in exploring their potential. It will be really interesting to see where this trend goes in the future.