As the AI Age continues, I find myself looking back on AI’s depiction in pop culture of the past.  Specifically, I think about 2 TV episodes: “The Ultimate Computer” from Star Trek: The Original Series, and “The Human Factor” from the OG MacGyver series.

Anyone who’s watched these episodes (and for those who haven’t, both are on Paramount+, or just pirate-stream it if you’re feeling ethically flexible) knows the similarities: human-based AI touted as “the next step” and a replacement for human beings f*cks up during a simulation, prioritizes self-preservation, and nearly gets the protagonists killed.  These are “M-5” and “Sandy”, respectively.

I find myself comparing these depictions to how AI works today, and wondering what would happen if contemporary AI was involved in these kinds of situations.  How would ChatGPT behave if it were given control of a starship?  How would Claude behave if it had to guard a classified R&D facility?  Are the recent IRL AI-related cybersecurity incidents any indication?

I’d like to know the community’s theories on this.