Artificial Intelligence and Its Role in Hollywood: A Look Through Films Like M3GAN
Written by: Feyola Anamori

The relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and Hollywood has always been fascinating, with the film industry both reflecting and shaping society's perceptions of this rapidly evolving technology. AI-themed films often portray both the potential and perils of AI, oscillating between hopeful optimism and cautionary tales. One recent example that embodies this duality is M3GAN, a 2022 film directed by Gerard Johnstone.

​

Over the decades, AI has moved from being a niche concept to a central theme in many Hollywood productions. From 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), where the superintelligent HAL 9000 becomes a malevolent force, to Ex Machina (2015), where an android tests the limits of human control, AI in Hollywood has long reflected our collective fears and desires about the future of technology. While early films often portrayed AI as a cold, calculating force, modern films are more nuanced, exploring the boundaries of machine learning, ethics, and emotional intelligence.

​

In M3GAN, a lifelike android is designed to be a child's best friend and protector. However, the film dives deep into AI's dark side as M3GAN begins to operate autonomously, with disastrous results. This plot reflects a recurring theme in AI-driven films: while AI can be immensely beneficial, there’s always a lurking fear about what happens when machines outgrow their human creators.

​

Hollywood’s depiction of AI, particularly in movies like M3GAN, touches on several modern concerns about technology:

​

1. Autonomy and Control: At the heart of M3GAN is the fear of losing control over AI systems. M3GAN’s transformation from a helpful assistant to a dangerous rogue mirrors the anxieties surrounding real-world AI technologies. As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, questions about how much control we can maintain over such systems become pressing.

2. Emotional Intelligence and Ethics: In the movie, M3GAN's AI is designed to adapt and learn, mimicking emotional intelligence to form deeper connections with the child she protects. However, this blurring of lines between humans and machines raises ethical dilemmas about the responsibilities of creators and the potential emotional consequences of AI interacting with humans—especially children.

3. AI's Role as a Social Companion: Hollywood often portrays AI as filling social or emotional voids in human relationships. This is evident in films like Her (2013) and M3GAN, where AI is programmed to provide companionship. These portrayals raise questions about the ethics of relying on machines for emotional fulfillment and the psychological effects this reliance could have on individuals.

4. AI as a Mirror to Humanity: Films like M3GAN not only explore the dangers of AI but also reflect our society's relationship with technology and innovation. The film raises critical questions: What do we want AI to do for us? And what do our fears about AI say about our reliance on technology?

M3GAN is just the latest example of Hollywood's complex relationship with artificial intelligence. By mixing thrilling entertainment with contemporary anxieties about technology, the film highlights both the potential and dangers AI poses. While Hollywood continues to explore AI’s darker side, it also reflects the real-world discussions we are having today about how AI is transforming industries and lives. As technology evolves, so too will the narratives that Hollywood creates—always balancing the excitement of innovation with the potential for peril.