James Cameron, the acclaimed director behind the Terminator and Avatar franchises, is again sounding the alarm about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, particularly when combined with weapons systems. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Cameron expressed his concern that such a combination could lead to a "Terminator-style apocalypse".
Cameron, who directed the 1984 film The Terminator, which depicted a post-apocalyptic future caused by a hostile AI, is wary of real-world AI development. He stated, "I do think there's still a danger of a Terminator-style apocalypse where you put AI together with weapons systems, even up to the level of nuclear weapon systems, nuclear defense counterstrike, all that stuff".
The director highlighted the speed at which modern warfare could occur, arguing that the decision windows are so fast that it would require a superintelligence to process. While he hopes humans will remain "in the loop," he acknowledged that human fallibility has led to mistakes that have almost resulted in international incidents and potential nuclear war.
Cameron outlined what he believes are the three major existential threats facing humanity: climate change and the degradation of the natural world, nuclear weapons, and superintelligence. He noted that these threats are all converging and intensifying simultaneously. However, he also offered a glimmer of hope, suggesting that superintelligence might even be the solution to these problems.
Cameron's views on AI appear to be evolving. While he once expressed strong reservations about generative AI, even declaring "I warned you guys in 1984, and you didn't listen," he has since joined the board of directors for an AI company. He has also spoken about how AI could potentially reduce VFX budgets in filmmaking. Despite embracing some AI tools, Cameron remains concerned about the potential for military applications of the technology. He drew a parallel to nuclear technology, which was once hailed as a source of unlimited energy but also carries the potential for devastation.
In addition to his warnings about AI, Cameron is working on adapting Charles Pellegrino's non-fiction book Ghosts of Hiroshima into a film. He has stated that empathy guides his storytelling. He hopes to convey the experiences of those who lived through the atomic bombing in a way that engages audiences and fosters empathy. Cameron has described how his knowledge of the environmental effects of the bombs, combined with horrific dreams, influenced the original Terminator film. He even revealed that his original title for Terminator 2: Judgment Day was The Children's Crusade, inspired by Sting's song "Russians".
Cameron's next film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is slated for release on December 19 and will continue his exploration of pressing global issues, including climate change and identity.
