Revolutionary AI Breakthrough: Creating Robots with the Illusion of Human Intelligence
Creator's Director highlights the extraordinary humanity in his robots, challenging conventional notions as they genuinely believe they are human
Summary
The Director of The Creator wanted the robots in the movie to be more human, emphasizing their capacity for emotions and autonomy.
The film delves into opposing viewpoints regarding the robots' humanity, indicating that not all humans perceive them as adversaries.
Through the actors' depiction of robots as beings comparable to humans, The Creator strives to infuse the portrayal of robots and AI in the science fiction genre with a distinct profundity.
Gareth Edwards, the director of The Creator, delves into the portrayal of robots in his film, emphasizing their human-like qualities compared to those in The Terminator. The movie is set in a world where humanity is engaged in a war against AI-controlled robots, who are rumored to possess a secret weapon capable of altering the course of the conflict. However, when Joshua, a former special forces soldier, discovers that the AI's alleged weapon is actually an AI-powered robotic child, he begins to question his understanding of both the human and AI factions involved.
In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant for The Creator, Edwards sheds light on his approach to depicting robots in the film. He highlights the distinctions between his portrayal and those in the Terminator franchise. Edwards also reveals his intention to explore the actors' own humanity and the robots' belief that they are human. Here is Edwards' complete statement:
Gareth Edwards expressed his admiration for the Terminator franchise, emphasizing the influence it has on their film about artificial intelligence (AI). Their unique contribution to the project, he believed, was in portraying the characters as human-like. He found it amusing that when actors arrived on set to play robots, they would inquire about how they should move or speak like machines. However, he encouraged them to forget that they were robots and instead embrace their human qualities. Edwards wanted the performances to feel entirely natural, even if it meant concealing who was AI and who was not. One advantage of working with Industrial Light Magic was the ability to address these details during post-production, eliminating the need for the cumbersome motion-capture suits often used in such films. This allowed them to watch the movie and then proceed to transform specific characters into robots or AI.
My favorite moments in the film are when there's a robot casually emitting smoke or engaging in childlike behavior. It feels reminiscent of something you would see in a Terrence Malik film, but with the signature touch of James Cameron. It's as if the two visionary filmmakers have collaborated and created something extraordinary. This achievement is truly the pinnacle of our aspirations.
How The Creator Brings Humanity To The Robots & Artificial Intelligence
Edwards' decision to withhold the information about the actors' roles, whether they were humans or robots, adds an intriguing aspect to the story of The Creator. It not only provides insight into how he intended the robots to be portrayed, but also suggests that not all of humanity perceives them as the enemy. The conflict between humanity and AI is established in the movie, but there are hints that some individuals do not view the robots with animosity. The choice of a child as the weapon in The Creator ensures that human nature and morality will be at the heart of the narrative, but Edwards amplifies the intrigue by portraying the robots as having a sense of identity.
Many science fiction films typically depict AI as either a malevolent force that annihilates humanity, like The Terminator, or simply as a tool to be utilized. However, The Creator takes a different approach by granting the robots autonomy and distinct personalities through AI. They exhibit signs of emotions as well, as evidenced by the trailer's depiction of the child forming a bond with Joshua.
Rewriting:
Portraying the robots in The Creator as if they were human characters could be the pivotal factor in distinguishing it within the sci-fi genre. By incorporating these subtle moments of tranquility that Edwards introduces, the robots in the film acquire a newfound complexity. They transcend being mere tools or mindless soldiers on a mission to annihilate humanity. Instead, they become something entirely distinct, elevating The Creator's portrayal of robots and AI above other sci-fi counterparts.
