Robots and Artifical Intelligence.

Despite the advancements within technological innovation it is interesting to observe the repetition of specific archetypal situations. This is especially prevalent within science fiction film. Once such instance is in relation to technology itself and specifically the inclusion of robots or artificial intelligence, A.I. Humans in an attempt to create a new technology, ultimately end with a fear that the newly constructed technology will eventually turn against creator and destroy the world. Through our own hubris; an arrogant pride or our own excessive self confidence humanity is destroyed by itself, at least in part. Science fiction film in this instance reflects the limits of human innovation as it is stated in a classic cult sci-fi film "We are after all not God". (Forbidden Planet, 1956) We do not have ultimate control of the innovations we create and this is reflected in such early films as Metropolis, a silent film from 1927.

Forbidden Plant seems to be a extension or qualification of the above argument. Robby the Robot seems to reflect a gentle nature as we even recognise that he can not harm as his creator Dr. Morbius demonstrates to visitors and the audience by asking Robby to violate the three laws of robotics which he is governed by. We witness in this instance that he cannot. Thus it seems he is an exception to the notion that technology particularly robots will eventually turn against their creators. What we may no recognise initially is that Robby is created by Dr. Morbius using a technology which eventually destroyed the original species which created in, which in essence creates this scenario invalid. We must recognise that there are instances in science fiction film which need to be taken other than at face value.

This notion is one which is still being used within sci-fi today. Within the last couple of years, we saw I, Robot come out and once again we see V.I.K.I the artificial intelligence finding a way around the three laws to take control.