IMF vs. AI
AI as the Villain in Tom Cruise’s New Movie: Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One
While I was taking a summer break in Los Angeles away from Silicon Valley, I went to the theater during the writers and actors strike in Hollywood as my moral support to the ultimate creative industry in the world.
Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One, the latest installment in the Mission: Impossible franchise, introduces artificial intelligence (AI) as the primary antagonist. Director Christopher McQuarrie explains that AI was chosen as the next step up from previous threats faced by Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his crew, keeping the franchise fresh and relevant in an increasingly technology-driven world. The movie’s release adds another layer of significance to the ongoing discussions surrounding AI, particularly after the generative AI boom.
The decision to incorporate AI as the villain was made during the early stages of the movie’s development, reflecting the growing importance of AI in society. Kudos to McQuarrie and Cruise; they would not have known the timing of the OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT last year or the strike happening right upon the movie’s box office debut. In his interview, McQuarrie emphasizes that AI would have been considered “too intellectual” for viewers a few years ago, but its increasing presence in people’s lives makes it a fitting choice for the franchise right now. Clearly, the inclusion of AI reflects the evolving nature of technology and its potential dangers, resonating with the audience’s current concerns.
The movie explores the idea of an Impossible Mission Force (IMF) superhero Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, battling against AI and questioning the purpose of his job. This meta aspect adds depth to the narrative, reflecting on the actor’s age and the challenges faced in the entertainment industry. In reality, the controversies surrounding deepfakes involving Cruise, and many others, further enhance the relevance and impact of the story.
AI as the villain offers a fresh challenge for Ethan Hunt and his team, pushing the boundaries of their abilities. The plot explores the potential consequences if the espionage game is overtaken by a sentient computer, adding an edge to the storyline. By incorporating AI, the movie taps into society’s increasing awareness and fascination with technology, making it relatable and engaging for the audience.
Contrary to the technology, the spotlight of this movie is really on Tom Cruise’s Riskiest Stunt: The Motorcycle Jump. Tom Cruise’s commitment to performing his own stunts has become a trademark of the Mission: Impossible franchise. Despite his age, Cruise continues to push the boundaries and execute death-defying acts, captivating audiences worldwide. The motorcycle jump in Dead Reckoning Part One is described as Cruise’s riskiest stunt yet. The details of the stunt, such as the height and distance, showcase the bravery and courage required to accomplish it. The inclusion of such an audacious stunt adds to the excitement and spectacle of the film, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. Shall we say that it proves that AI cannot replace the brilliance of real talent?
While the movie focuses on the dangers of AI, it’s essential to recognize the technology’s incredible potential for positive impact. Generative AI algorithms are revolutionizing industries such as healthcare, finance, and transportation. The ability of AI to analyze vast amounts of data and make intelligent predictions offers significant opportunities for companies to enhance efficiency, drive innovation, and improve customer experiences. CEOs and decision-makers should carefully navigate this landscape to harness the transformative power of AI while ensuring responsible and ethical implementation.
Since generative AI hits, many have jumped on AI’s bandwagon. My journey with AI has been unique.
Over ten years ago, I had the opportunity to learn about AI from one of the superheroes I’ve known in my tech career. His name is William “Bill” Klein. His company, Rival Theory, was founded in 2010 on the question: What if computers could think, remember, and care like people do? If that were possible, what could we do, and what could we create together alongside our AI companions? He and I had meetings at LeapFrog in Emeryville, CA, and we traveled to Beijing, China, together. Nobody had a clue what he was doing and what opportunities were way ahead.
In 2018, a recruiter reached out to me and told me about DMAI, Dark Matter Artificial Intelligence. I wrote the article “How do Humans Learn” back then.
And I had the good fortune of working with another superhero, Dr. Mark Nitzberg, who’s the author of the book Solomon’s Code: Humanity in a World of Thinking Machines. He co-founded DMAI with his Harvard cohort Prof. Song-chun Zhu. Their mission was to lift humanity with cognitive AI. As the CMO in charge of the go-to-market at the company, I built the product and marketing ground up from the Mission & Vision, to what AI is with Prof. David Mumford, and our first AI Tutor for preschoolers Animal Island Learning Adventure (AILA) that won the inaugural World AI Cannes Festival — Cannes Neurons Award 2022.
Given the generative AI hype, there are a lot more opportunities today than in the past decade. With my first-hand experiences, I can say not all AI is evil. However, it takes deliberate effort to build AI for good. And that’s why I am very excited about Anyquest. As a generative AI platform for business applications & services, it helps enterprises unlock the business value of generative AI with enterprise-class security, compliance, and control. The founder of Anyquest, Dmitri Tcherevik, another superhero with whom I’ve had the privilege working with in the past decade, has the vision, background and skillset to build a meaningful midware and enabler for many enterprises.
My hope is that with Anyquest, we’ll have many more superheroes who can harness the power of AI. CEOs should consider the advantages that AI presents, from research and development to marketing and sales. Embracing AI’s potential while addressing ethical concerns can lead to substantial growth and innovation.
Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One not only delivers heart-pounding action and suspense but also delves into the timely exploration of AI as the villain. By incorporating AI into the plot, the movie reflects the evolving concerns and fascination surrounding this transformative technology. The meta commentary on the entertainment industry and Tom Cruise’s daring stunts further enhance the film’s appeal. As audiences immerse themselves in the thrilling storyline, Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One encourages them to contemplate the implications of AI and participate in the ongoing conversation about shaping its future. I am personally excited about enabling all the emerging superheros in the next decade with my past experiences. Learn more https://www.helenfuthomas.com/
