Humanising The Inhuman: Considering The Anthropomorphism Of Artificial Intelligence In Post-2010 Science Fiction Media

Abstract

Anthropomorphism refers to the assignation of human characteristics to inanimate or non-human objects; whilst this concept is not new with relation to artificial intelligence in science fiction, post-2010 science fiction media provides an examination of this concept within the context of modern society, where artificial intelligence is arguably prevalent in our everyday lives. As we map out our lives with the addition of artificial intelligence, science fiction can help us understand how we can move forward, and considerations we need to make. With this context in mind, this work will consider the way that science fiction media productions anthropomorphise artificially intelligent characters, particularly in the cases of the Synth characters in Channel 4’s Humans (2015-18) and the character of Ava in Alex Garland’s Ex Machina (2014), through the identification and examination of wider themes regarding artificial intelligence.