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IMDbPro

We Need to Talk About A.I.

  • 2020
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
404
YOUR RATING
We Need to Talk About A.I. (2020)
DocumentarySci-Fi

A new film from acclaimed director, Leanne Pooley.A new film from acclaimed director, Leanne Pooley.A new film from acclaimed director, Leanne Pooley.

  • Director
    • Leanne Pooley
  • Stars
    • James Cameron
    • Keir Dullea
    • Bryan Johnson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    404
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Leanne Pooley
    • Stars
      • James Cameron
      • Keir Dullea
      • Bryan Johnson
    • 19User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos1

    View Poster

    Top cast23

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    James Cameron
    James Cameron
    • Self
    Keir Dullea
    Keir Dullea
    • Self - Narrator
    • (voice)
    Bryan Johnson
    Bryan Johnson
    • Self
    Sam Harris
    Sam Harris
    • Self
    Max Tegmark
    Max Tegmark
    • Self - Astrophysicist
    • (as Prof. Max Tegmark)
    • …
    Michael Littman
    • Self
    Mark Sagar
    Mark Sagar
    • Self
    Louis Rosenberg
    Louis Rosenberg
    • Self - CEO & Chief Scientist, Unanimous A.I.
    • (as Dr. Louis Rosenberg)
    Stuart J. Russell
    Stuart J. Russell
    • Self
    • (as Stuart Russell)
    David Malone
    • Self - Science Broadcaster
    Marcelo Gleiser
    • Self
    Rodney Brooks
    Rodney Brooks
    • Self - Robotics, M.I.T.
    • (as Emeritus Prof. Rodney Brooks)
    Jurgen Schmidhuber
    • Self
    Roman Yampolskiy
    • Self
    Michal Kosinski
    Michal Kosinski
    • Self
    Grady Booch
    • Self
    Mary Cummings
    • Self - Humans & Autonomy Lab, Duke University
    • (as Dr. Mary Cummings)
    David Chalmers
    David Chalmers
    • Self
    • Director
      • Leanne Pooley
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews19

    6.5404
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    Featured reviews

    8jfonteijn

    Must see: and yes, we really need to discuss the rapid developments in AI reserch

    I think the film is great! I've recommended to my friends and colleagues in IT to watch it as soon as they get a chance. I think currently in society the risks of AI (more specifically Artifical General Intelligence and Artificial Super Intelligence) are not understood by most people, even most IT and AI researchers, as the main focus (and main budgets) goes to ANI (narrow AI) that already makes is way into our society and has a lot of (potential) benefits in various fields including medicine (e.g. diagnosis of cancer, fighting pandemics), logistics, climate control, sustainability, etc.

    It's brilliant that in this film Keir Dullea looks back on "2001" and his interactions with HAL. For most people outside the field of AI, HAL is still the most recognizable superintelligent AI computer. The documentary gives a very nice overview of the different stakeholders and views in the current AGI pro/con discussions (benefits of AI, robotics, warfare, existential risks for humanity, is it controllable or not?). Especially Bryan Johnson's quote ("What is our plan as a species? ... We don't have a plan and we don't realize it's necessary to have a plan.") keeps coming back to my mind. I think that's exactly the issue. Almost anyone in the field of AI (even more cautious people like Stuart Russell or Max Tegmark) assumes that AGI will soon be there (within the next 10 to 50 years). And many researches agree that there are very serious risks (including the existential risk) that come with this. However, when they talk about mitigation of these risks, the discussions become more unclear, e.g. Stuart Russell's suggestion of "Provable Benevolent AI", or Ben Goertzel's ideas on "decentralized AI". To me this doesn't make sense; we should first have a plan that proves the fundamental risks are mitigated before we move on. Or else put the AGI research on hold (if this is still possible...) like we did with genetic manipulation and cloning.
    9golemxivg

    Proper debate by proper insiders

    I really liked this film. The people interviewed were nearly all insiders not just external commentators. And some really important people who know what they are talking about. That gives is real weight for me. And they were allowed to speak properly, not cut into little sound bites. Didn't agree with some of what was said but hey - that's the point of a discussion! Really good film. Well made and personally I loved the 2001 theme with the narrator. Clever!
    10marianfarrar

    This documentary about AI is A1!

    Thought provoking and extremely watchable documentary showcasing a balance of viewpoints from leading experts - the trouble is, they were all so convincing and backed up their arguments so well, I am not sure whose side I come down on. The most telling comment for me however, was the observation from one that 'the human race does not have a plan'. So now the AI genie has been released, are we hurtling across a minefield without a map towards doom, or salvation? And - another point of professional disagreement - will it take 40, 60, 100 or 200 years to find out? I have been talking about AI a lot since I viewed this.
    6mreime

    Interesting but uneven

    There is a variety of interesting (if at times somewhat shallow) subjects covered in this film, with some of the greatest minds in the field offering their insights. Unfortunately, it is severely undercut by ridiculous narration more on par with a paranormal documentary on the Discovery channel. The Baby X part was particularly interesting, would love to see a doc on that.
    10roman_y

    Awesome documentary on AI safety and security!

    Just finished watching. The movie was amazing. It is like they took my work, my friends, my dreams and interests and made an awesome documentary out of it. Very well made and scientifically accurate. A lot of star power! I loved the way the movie showed debate between the two disagreeing factions on the issues of AI risk. I am sure this documentary will change many lives and open many minds to the issues of AI Safety and security. Probably the most important documentary of the decade.

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    Related interests

    Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)
    Documentary
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

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    • Connections
      Features 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

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    FAQ13

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 18, 2020 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • New Zealand
    • Also known as
      • We Need to Talk About A.I
    • Production companies
      • General Film Corporation
      • WestMark Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 26m(86 min)

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