‘The Creator’ Explores The Philosophical Dilemma Of AI

New movies come out every week, but “The Creator” stands out as a visual spectacle with a poignant narrative, exploring the intricate relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and human ingenuity. The film contains fantastic performances and enthralling visuals, but the thing I found most intriguing was how the movie examines the philosophical debate of whether an artificial intelligence can ever truly be sentient, and what that means for the future of humanity.

The intense focus on generative AI over the last year or so makes the subject more relevant. We are certainly a long way from AI coming anywhere close to something that might be considered “sentient,” but the momentum of AI evolution has dramatically accelerated. Maybe the philosophical dilemma is closer than I would like to think?

Overview of “The Creator”

“The Creator” was co-written and directed by Gareth Edwards—director of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” It is set in some not-too-distant future—a future that is semi-dystopian thanks to a tragic accident attributed to AI gone wrong.

The movie’s narrative focuses on the symbiotic relationship between humans and AI, using the latter not as a mere tool, but as a mirror reflecting our deepest fears, desires, and existential questions. The plot navigates through the complexity of this relationship, avoiding the clichéd portrayal of AI, offering instead a fresh perspective on what it means to coexist with our creations.

The technical execution of “The Creator” is nothing short of groundbreaking. Visually, the film is impressive. The filmmakers harnessed the power of cutting-edge technology to breathe life into the visual tapestry, ensuring that every detail, from the flicker of a light to the reflection in a tear, is rendered with breathtaking realism. This technical prowess does not overshadow the human element, but rather, enhances it, grounding the fantastical elements of the story in a tangible reality.

The performances by the cast are another highlight of the film. Each actor brings a depth and nuance to their roles, infusing the characters with a realism that makes the audience resonate with their joys, sorrows, and dilemmas. The interaction between human characters and AI entities is portrayed with a sensitivity that breaks away from the stereotypical narratives, adding layers to the exploration of identity, existence, and creation.

Madeleine Yuna Voyles delivers a mind-blowing performance in the role of Alphie—one of the central characters of the story. Cast when she was just 7 years old, this is Madeleine’s debut role, but her acting and emotional range are remarkable.

Future of AI

However, it is not just the visual brilliance and narrative depth that set “The Creator” apart; it is the underlying philosophical exploration that adds a unique flavor to the film. The movie delves deep into questions of existence, creation, and the role of the creator, challenging the audience to reflect on the implications of our relentless pursuit of technological advancement. The philosophical inquiries raised by the film are intricately woven into the narrative, allowing the audience to engage with them organically.

The underlying premise is common across science fiction. Movies such as Blade Runner, The Terminator, The Matrix, and many, many more have delved into the notion of dystopian futures where AI gains sentience and decides that human beings are expendable…or dangerous. “The Creator” analyzes a similar question and future, but does so in a fresh and unique way. It is not simply a reboot of the same old storyline.

Behind the Camera

I had an opportunity to chat with James Spencer, the Oscar-winning producer of “The Creator.” He described the early stages of the project when he and Gareth did a whistlestop tour of Asia to scout locations, and the delays caused by the Covid pandemic.

We talked about an element of hypocrisy that comes up in the movie—but also reflects some of the realities we face today. The forces fighting a war to destroy AI also used AI themselves on some level.

There is an element of, “It’s not that we don’t recognize how useful this can be, we just want to control it and make sure nobody else has it.” It is similar to the way nuclear powers around the world view nuclear weapons, and it echoes some of the ongoing debate around the ethics of artificial intelligence and the need for some sort of standards or guardrails.

The primary philosophical question, though, is whether or not artificial intelligence can ever get to a point where it might be considered “sentient,” or if that is inherently impossible by virtue of the fact that it is—at its core—just computer code being executed. What is the threshold or test to determine whether something is sentient or not?

“That’s a huge philosophical question, and it’s obviously something we talked about a lot as well,” explained Spencer. “Time will tell. It is interesting, as you said, just as a philosophical debate of, ‘what is sentient?’ Does it have to be human sentience? And how does that work within AI? I think it’s super interesting.”

Visual Effects without a Green Screen

The “simulants” in the movie—humanoid beings with AI brains—have a unique look. The back of the head and neck are exposed wiring and there is a cylinder that goes through their head—creating a hole you can see through where the ears would normally be on a human.

I asked Spencer how they accomplished that. Did they have the actors where tracking beacons or some sort of green hood to allow them to easily apply visual effects after the fact? To my surprise, the answer was, “No.”

The effects are a huge part of the movie, but Spencer told me that it was important to Gareth to enable the actors to do their jobs and deliver authentic performances without being distracted. “One of the key things for us was that we didn’t actually have to shoot against a black/green/blue screen, because Gareth didn’t want that to affect the actors’ performance. Similarly, he didn’t want them covered in tracking markers, which is traditionally how you do that.”

Spencer explained that there have been advancements in the last couple of years in terms of tracking and visual effects. They were able to work with ILM (Industrial Lights & Magic) to deliver stunning visual effects without the need for traditional tracking methods or capturing data that is normally used for those shots. “It is incredibly liberating, and hopefully it gives the movie a different feel.”

See For Yourself

“The Creator” is not without its flaws. Some viewers might find the pacing of the film a tad slow, with certain scenes lingering longer than necessary. However, this deliberate pacing can also be interpreted as a creative choice, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the intricate world of “The Creator.”

Despite any minor flaws, “The Creator” succeeds in delivering a cinematic experience that is both visually stunning and intellectually stimulating. The film is a testament to the harmony that can be achieved when art and technology come together, a symphony of images and ideas that linger in the mind long after the credits roll.

I highly recommend the movie. It is perhaps the best movie I have seen this year—top 3 for sure. “The Creator” invites the audience on a philosophical journey, exploring the boundaries of creation and the essence of existence. With its mesmerizing visuals, compelling narrative, and thought-provoking themes, “The Creator” is a must-watch for cinephiles and philosophers alike.