The Representation of Artificial Intelligence Characters in Cinema: Societal Perceptions and the Technology of the Future

Abstract

This study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) characters are represented in science fiction cinema across a historical trajectory and how these representations are constructed around discourses of fear, hope, control, autonomy, and ethical responsibility. Rather than aiming to measure direct “effects” on audiences, the study approaches films as cultural texts and analyzes their representational frameworks. Using purposive sampling, four films from different periods—Blade Runner (1982), The Matrix (1999), Her (2013), and Ex Machina (2015)—are analyzed through comparative qualitative content analysis. The coding scheme encompasses (i) the ontology of AI (tool/agent/person-like entity), (ii) autonomy and control, (iii) patterns of human–machine relationships, and (iv) ethical dilemmas and responsibility frameworks. The findings reveal a representational shift from threat- and control-oriented portrayals toward more emotionally complex and ethically ambiguous representations; however, issues of governance, surveillance, and responsibility persist across all periods.

Keywords

• Artificial Intelligence
• Science Fiction Cinema
• Social Perceptions
• Ethical and Moral Responsibilities
• Human-Machine Relationships

Sinemada Yapay Zekâ Karakterlerinin Temsili: Toplumsal Algılar ve Geleceğin Teknolojisi

Öz

Bu çalışma, yapay zekâ (YZ) karakterlerinin bilim kurgu sinemasında tarihsel bir çizgi boyunca nasıl temsil edildiğini ve bu temsillerin korku, umut, kontrol, özerklik ve etik sorumluluk söylemleri etrafında nasıl kurulduğunu incelemektedir. Çalışma, izleyici üzerinde doğrudan “etki” ölçmeyi amaçlamamakta; filmleri kültürel metinler olarak ele alıp temsil biçimlerini çözümlemektedir. Amaçlı örnekleme ile farklı dönemlerden seçilen Blade Runner (1982), The Matrix (1999), Her (2013) ve Ex Machina (2015) filmleri karşılaştırmalı nitel içerik analiziyle analiz edilmiştir. Kodlama şeması; (i) YZ’nin ontolojisi (araç/aktör/kişi), (ii) özerklik ve kontrol, (iii) insan–makine ilişki örüntüleri ve (iv) etik ikilemler ile sorumluluk çerçevelerini kapsamaktadır. Bulgular, temsilin tehdit ve kontrol ekseninden daha duygusal ve etik açıdan muğlak temsillere doğru evrildiğini; ancak yönetim, gözetim ve sorumluluk sorularının tüm dönemlerde süreklilik gösterdiğini ortaya koymaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Yapay Zekâ
• Bilim Kurgu Sineması
• Toplumsal Algılar
• Etik ve Ahlaki Sorumluluklar
• İnsan-Makine İlişkileri

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