I Had Warned You All in 1984

James Cameron, the renowned filmmaker, has expressed his concerns about the increasing presence of artificial intelligence (AI). He points out that he had previously warned about the potential risks of AI in his 1984 movie, The Terminator, which he directed and co-wrote. In the film, Skynet, a self-aware AI defense network, endeavors to eradicate humanity by sending a cyborg assassin from 2029 to 1984. In an interview with CTV, Cameron stated, “I warned you guys in 1984 and you didn’t listen.” He believes that the weaponization of AI poses the greatest danger, comparing it to a nuclear arms race. Cameron emphasizes the importance of regulating the AI industry and closely monitoring its development. He criticizes the pursuit of AI for profit as “teaching greed” and its development for defense as “teaching paranoia.” Despite his concerns, Cameron does not believe that AI can replace human screenwriters, stating that if an AI wins an Oscar for Best Screenplay in the next 20 years, it should be taken seriously.

Cameron dismisses the idea of AI being able to write screenplays, asserting that he doesn’t know anyone considering that possibility. Schwarzenegger, who also featured in The Terminator, shares similar apprehensions about AI. According to Variety, Schwarzenegger remarked, “Today, everyone is frightened of it, of where this is gonna go.” He further states that the concept of machines becoming self-aware and taking over, explored in the movie, has now become a reality. Cameron’s storytelling abilities are praised for their foresight and relevance to present times. (Read more James Cameron stories.)