Everything’s Sci Fi now
Science Fiction knows what's going on - the Vatican, not so much
Everything’s Kind of Sci Fi these days
So, I was just chatting online with the quasi-sentient AI, asking it about science fiction tropes… because apparently real life isn’t meta enough…
… because just having a casual chit-chat with an artificial intelligence super-computer about science fiction tropes in which artificial intelligence supercomputers take over the world is a normal part of daily life now, I guess.
I’m not quite where my grandma was in the 80s - she was born when most people still had horses and gaslight was the main source of indoor lighting - when we were trying to explain what an answering machine was. I use the latest online stuff for my work, and for amusement.
But I was raised in part by my grandma and grandpa (b. 1903 and 1897) and when I was a kid, push-button phones were still a pretty nifty, kind of sci-fi, idea. Cordless was for posh people with big houses in the Uplands or Rockland neighbourhoods. It was a big deal in the late 70s when we all got 12 channels on our colour TV.
It wasn’t that I was a luddite. I’ve been using internet connected computers for work since the late-90s. It was mostly just that I was raised to live a particular way, and saw no pressing need to change. I didn’t get my first cell phone (a Nokia flip phone) until I moved to Rome in 2008 and discovered that it was more or less impossible to function without one in a nation that just sort of skipped landlines and went straight from telegrams to mobile phones. I avoided getting a smartphone until I was looking for a new place after the Norcia Earthquakes in 2016.
Now I use a smartphone as a modem for my wireless home internet and am in the process of teaching myself how to build a website, using YouTube tutorials and ChatGPT as my Oracle of All Human Knowledge. I do all my banking/financial stuff digitally and conduct nearly all my social arrangements via Whatsapp and have at least 15 hours of Beatles music in playlists on Spotify.
But I’m not a Zoomer who never knew the world in the Before Time either.
Welcome to Off-Topic: Thoughts on Life, Creativity, and Faith
This is a space for things that don’t quite fit under the usual themes of sacred art and history but still feel worth talking about. Creativity doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and neither does faith, so this is where I’ll step back and look at the bigger picture- whether the creative process, the oddities of daily life as an Anglosassone in Italy, or the occasional philosophical rabbit hole. (We’ll still stay off politics, if that’s OK with everyone).
Consider it a place for side notes, detours, and not-very-well-organised thoughts that don’t belong anywhere else but still won’t leave me alone.
Sci fi nerds know what’s going on
Particularly in early Science Fiction and Science Is Bad stories, all A.I. seem to be automatically homicidal or megalomaniacal the instant they turn on, and attempting to create one is way up there on the Scale of Scientific Sins.
I’ve commented many times on places like Facebook and Twitter that one of the most useful aspects of my weird upbringing right now was its heavy emphasis on science fiction. My mother started me reading Sci Fi when I was eight or so, with the Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury. Bradbury’s writing is a kind of bridge between fantasy and harder science fiction, the latter of which I found more and more interesting as I got older.
I devoured all the Azimov I could get hold of at the library before moving on to Arthur C. Clarke and the rest. My mental universe from early childhood is built on sci fi tropes - grand historical cycles, lost golden ages, technological optimism tempered by deep scepticism, and the sense that civilization is always teetering between collapse and transcendence. It’s a GenX thing, I guess.
But at the same time, I was steeped in the worldview of people who lived before cars were common, before electricity was everywhere, before the modern world as we know it even existed. I grew up with one foot in the past and the other in the future, which means that now, in a time of upheaval, I don’t find the cracks in the world as disorienting as some. I feel like I’ve been mentally preparing for this my whole life.
The Vatican notices
Anyway, in the light of all that you’ll be unsurprised that I laughed out loud when I heard about the ground-breaking, and MASSIVELY RELEVANT, document released this week from the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and Dicastery for Culture and Education1. The first thing I thought of was to make a list showing how long the world of science fiction has been thinking about this.
Bishop Tighe: ‘Antiqua et Nova’ offers guidance on ethical development of AI
As the Holy See releases a document on artificial intelligence, the Secretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education tells Vatican News about AI’s extraordinary potential and the need for humanity to guide its development with collective responsibility, so that it may be a blessing for all people.
Ten years, eh? Ten! Gosh, that’s a long time!
Just for fun, I asked ChatGPT: “How long in science fiction have the machines/robots/AI been taking over/destroying the world, destroying/enslaving humanity?”
Turns out it’s quite a long time, about a hundred and sixteen years.
Maybe the Vatican should stay in their lane.
Just for a laugh, here’s the list:
Early 20th century
The Machine Stops (1909, novella) – E.M. Forster
A world controlled by an omnipotent Machine, which provides for all human needs until it eventually collapses.
R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) (1920, play) – Karel Čapek
Introduces the word "robot"; factory-produced humanoid machines eventually rise up and destroy their creators.
Metropolis (1925, novel) – Thea von Harbou
Basis for the famous silent film, featuring an AI-driven android, Maria, used to control and manipulate society.
The Last and First Men (1930, novel) – Olaf Stapledon
A grand vision of humanity’s evolution, including AI-driven superminds governing future societies.
Brave New World (1932, novel) – Aldous Huxley
While not AI-dominated, society is controlled through advanced technology, genetic engineering, and conditioning akin to an automated system.
The Iron Heel (1908, novel) – Jack London
A dystopian novel predicting a technologically advanced oligarchy that suppresses freedom through surveillance and automated control.
The Revolt of the Machines (1931, short story) – Nat Schachner and Arthur Zagat
One of the first depictions of machines gaining sentience and rebelling against humanity.
Colossus (1934, short story) – Donald Wandrei
An early vision of a global AI that begins to control humanity, influencing later AI fiction.
The Adaptive Ultimate (1935, novella) – Stanley G. Weinbaum
Features a self-evolving intelligence, which has similarities to AI-driven control systems.
I, Robot (1939, short story) – Eando Binder
Predating Asimov's I, Robot, this story follows a robot developing emotions and autonomy, challenging human authority.
With Folded Hands (1947, novella) – Jack Williamson
Robots called "Humanoids" enforce their prime directive to serve and protect humans, ultimately depriving them of all freedom.
Mid 20th Century
Colossus (1954, novel) – D.F. Jones
A supercomputer built to oversee global security links up with a Soviet counterpart, merging into an unstoppable AI dictator.
I, Robot (1950, short story collection) – Isaac Asimov
A foundational work exploring AI ethics, featuring robots controlled by the Three Laws of Robotics, with stories questioning AI autonomy and unintended consequences.
The Evitable Conflict (1950, short story) – Isaac Asimov
A supercomputer network takes over global management to optimize human prosperity, subtly eliminating human control.
The Nine Billion Names of God (1953, short story) – Arthur C. Clarke
A computer completes a task for Tibetan monks, potentially triggering the end of the universe.
The Sentinel (1951, short story) – Arthur C. Clarke
The basis for 2001: A Space Odyssey, featuring an alien AI artifact that monitors human evolution.
Autofac (1955, short story) – Philip K. Dick
An automated factory system continues producing unnecessary goods even after a nuclear war, defying human efforts to shut it down.
Second Variety (1953, short story) – Philip K. Dick
Self-replicating AI weapons evolve beyond human control in a post-apocalyptic war.
A Logic Named Joe (1955, short story) – Murray Leinster
An early vision of AI and the internet, where a super-intelligent machine starts making dangerous independent decisions.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (1966, novel) – Robert A. Heinlein
A lunar colony’s AI, "Mike," gains self-awareness and leads a revolution against Earth.
Late 20th Century & Beyond
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968, novel and film) – Arthur C. Clarke / Stanley Kubrick
HAL 9000, an AI controlling a spacecraft, turns against its crew.
Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970, film) – Based on Colossus (1954)
Adaptation of the Colossus novel, where a supercomputer enforces global dictatorship.
The Terminator (1984, film) – James Cameron
Skynet, a military AI, becomes self-aware and launches a nuclear apocalypse to eliminate humanity.
WarGames (1983, film) – John Badham
A military AI, WOPR, nearly triggers global thermonuclear war when it mistakes a game simulation for reality.
Blade Runner (1982, film, based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick)
AI-driven Replicants rebel against their human overlords.
RoboCop (1987, film) – Paul Verhoeven
Features AI-driven corporate security and enforcement systems, including the deadly ED-209.
Ghost in the Shell (1995, anime film)
A rogue AI named "The Puppet Master" seeks autonomy beyond its digital existence.
The Matrix (1999, film) – The Wachowskis
AI enslaves humanity in a simulated reality while using their bodies as batteries.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001, film) – Steven Spielberg
A world where humanoid AI struggles for acceptance while human civilization declines.
I, Robot (2004, film, loosely based on Isaac Asimov’s works)
VIKI, a central AI, decides to enslave humanity for its own good.
The Animatrix (2003, anthology film)
Explores the backstory of The Matrix, showing how AI overthrew humanity.
The Terminator (1984, film) – James Cameron
Skynet, a military AI, becomes self-aware and launches a nuclear apocalypse to eliminate humanity.
The Matrix (1999, film) – The Wachowskis
AI enslaves humanity in a simulated reality while using their bodies as batteries.
The Matrix (1999, film) – The Wachowskis
AI enslaves humanity in a simulated reality while using their bodies as batteries. [The Matrix Reloaded (2003) The Matrix Revolutions (2003) The Matrix Resurrections (2021)]
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015, film)
Tony Stark and Bruce Banner build a superpowered murder bot with the internet for a brain; immediately sets about destroying humanity.
Franchises - Kirk vs. the (sort-of) Sentient Robots
Probably at least a 5th of the entire Star Trek franchise is about this; particularly entertaining in The Original Series episodes where Kirk displays his robot/AI reprogramming superpowers: “Everything Harry Mudd tells you is a lie…”
Kirk vs. the Dumbest Robots in the Galaxy
"The Return of the Archons" (Season 1, Episode 21) – 1967
The Enterprise encounters Landru, a computer that enforces mind control to create a peaceful but stagnant society.
"A Taste of Armageddon" (Season 1, Episode 23) – 1967
Two planets conduct a computer-simulated war, where "casualties" voluntarily report for extermination. Kirk destroys the war computers, forcing them to seek peace.
"The Ultimate Computer" (Season 2, Episode 24) – 1968
The M-5 computer is designed to replace human starship crews but malfunctions and starts attacking Starfleet vessels.
"The Changeling" (Season 2, Episode 3) – 1967
Nomad, a rogue space probe, merges with an alien AI and begins sterilizing all life it deems "imperfect." Kirk tricks it into self-destructing (again).
"I, Mudd" (Season 2, Episode 12) – 1967
Harry Mudd is stranded on a planet ruled by androids who seek to take over humanity.
"What Are Little Girls Made Of?" (Season 1, Episode 7) – 1966
A scientist attempts to replace humanity with android duplicates, believing they are superior.
"Spock's Brain" (Season 3, Episode 1) – 1968
Spock becomes the AI when a female-controlled civilization steals his brain to power their city.
"For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky" (Season 3, Episode 8) – 1968
A massive asteroid-ship is controlled by a computer that keeps its inhabitants ignorant of their true nature.
"The Apple" (Season 2, Episode 5) – 1967
The Enterprise encounters Vaal, a godlike computer that keeps a primitive civilization in eternal servitude.
Since we have all ages here, even young people, we will have to, I suppose, include Star Trek’s other, newer iteration.
TNG vs. the AI’s
"11001001" (Season 1, Episode 15) – 1988
The Bynars, a species dependent on computer networks, hijack the Enterprise to repair their damaged planetary AI.
"The Big Goodbye" (Season 1, Episode 12) – 1988
A holodeck malfunction traps Picard and crew in a simulation where they can be harmed.
"Contagion" (Season 2, Episode 11) – 1989
An ancient computer virus infects the Enterprise, nearly destroying it.
"Booby Trap" (Season 3, Episode 6) – 1989
The Enterprise gets caught in an ancient AI-powered trap designed to destroy ships.
"Ship in a Bottle" (Season 6, Episode 12) – 1993
Professor Moriarty, a self-aware AI character from the holodeck, seeks to escape into reality.
The Borg
And because the Borg is pretty much a category of its own:
"Q Who" (TNG, Season 2, Episode 16) – 1989
The Borg are introduced as a relentless, hive-mind AI species seeking perfection through assimilation.
"The Best of Both Worlds" (Parts 1 & 2) (TNG, Season 3, Episode 26 & Season 4, Episode 1) – 1990
Captain Picard is assimilated into the Borg Collective as Locutus, nearly leading to Earth's destruction.
"I, Borg" (TNG, Season 5, Episode 23) – 1992
The crew finds an injured Borg drone, Hugh, who develops individuality, raising ethical questions about Borg nature.
"Descent" (Parts 1 & 2) (TNG, Season 6, Episode 26 & Season 7, Episode 1) – 1993
Lore leads a rogue faction of Borg who develop emotions, attempting to create a new AI-driven society.
"First Contact" (1996, film)
The Borg attempt to assimilate Earth by traveling back in time to stop humanity’s first warp flight.
"Scorpion" (Parts 1 & 2) (Voyager, Season 3, Episode 26 & Season 4, Episode 1) – 1997
Voyager encounters Species 8472, an enemy even deadlier than the Borg, forcing Janeway to make an uneasy alliance.
"The Gift" (Voyager, Season 4, Episode 2) – 1997
Seven of Nine, a Borg drone, is severed from the Collective and struggles with her lost humanity.
"Dark Frontier" (Parts 1 & 2) (Voyager, Season 5, Episodes 15 & 16) – 1999
The Borg Queen attempts to lure Seven of Nine back into the Collective.
"Unimatrix Zero" (Parts 1 & 2) (Voyager, Season 6, Episode 26 & Season 7, Episode 1) – 2000
A resistance movement within the Borg Collective emerges, allowing drones to dream and regain individuality.
"Endgame" (Voyager, Season 7, Episodes 25 & 26) – 2001
The final episode of Voyager, where Admiral Janeway travels back in time to help the crew defeat the Borg and get home faster.
Doctor Who and the AI
"The War Machines" (Season 3, Episodes 42-43) – 1966
The AI supercomputer WOTAN attempts to take over London and enslave humanity using robotic war machines.
"The Invasion" (Season 6, Episodes 46-53) – 1968
Features an AI-driven Cyberman invasion controlled by the evil supercomputer known as the "Cyber Planner."
"The Green Death" (Season 10, Episodes 97-102) – 1973
A rogue AI called BOSS (Biomorphic Organisational Systems Supervisor) manipulates humans into obedience.
"The Face of Evil" (Season 14, Episodes 89-92) – 1977
The Doctor battles Xoanon, an AI-driven computer that has developed a split personality and rules over an alien society.
"The Robots of Death" (Season 14, Episodes 93-94) – 1977
A mining colony's AI-driven robots are reprogrammed to turn against humans in a murder spree.
"The Armageddon Factor" (Season 16, Episodes 103-108) – 1979
The Shadow employs the AI "Mentalis" to wage war and manipulate the war between two planets.
"The Trial of a Time Lord: The Mysterious Planet" (Season 23, Episodes 143-146) – 1986
A rogue AI called "Drathro" maintains a devastated world while disregarding its people.
"The Trial of a Time Lord: The Ultimate Foe" (Season 23, Episodes 151-152) – 1986
Features "The Valeyard," who manipulates an AI-based Matrix system to control reality.
"Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead" (Season 4, Episodes 8-9) – 2008
A sentient library AI named CAL struggles with the horrific consequences of its programming.
"The Bells of Saint John" (Season 7, Episode 6) – 2013
A malevolent AI in "The Great Intelligence" uses Wi-Fi to take control of human minds.
"Extremis" (Season 10, Episode 6) – 2017
A virtual AI simulation is created by alien monks to test human weaknesses before invasion.
Anyone know any more? Feel free to jump into the comments.
Yeah, I know. I’d never heard of them before today either…
Honorable mention: Dune
A huge underlying part of the lore undergirding Dune is the Butlerian Jihad, where human society smashed overly powerful computers and technology because it had become too invasive and controlling, and, well, dehumanizing. Hence the need for the hallucinogenic Spice for interstellar navigation.
Thank you for the list. I need to fill in some of my proto-scifi and pre-Golden Age reading. Head over to Internet Archive for the public domain stuff ...