- James Cameron has joined the board of directors of AI firm Stability AI
- Terminator famously had Skynet, which created the AI terminators
- The internet has had its say on this move from the veteran director
The risks of artificial intelligence (AI) for many people come from the Terminator films – so it is perhaps something of a surprise that the franchise’s creator has joined an AI company.
Veteran filmmaker James Cameron has recently confirmed that he has joined the board of directors of StabilityAI. StabilityAI is best known for making Stable Diffusion, which can generate images based on a user’s prompts.
Terminator warning
In the classic 1984 film The Terminator, which was written and directed by Cameron, a rogue AI called Skynet is trying to exterminate mankind. A Terminator, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is sent back from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor, who’s as-yet-unborn son is the saviour of mankind. A human soldier is also sent back to protect Connor.
The film was a huge success and kick-started both Cameron and Schwarzenegger’s film careers. It has since spawned several sequel and prequel films, as well as a TV series.
Potential uses in films
However, Cameron has not been brought on board at StabilityAI to warn against the risks but develop its potential for use in films.
“I’ve spent my career seeking out emerging technologies that push the very boundaries of what’s possible, all in the service of telling incredible stories,” Cameron said. “I was at the forefront of CGI over three decades ago, and I’ve stayed on the cutting edge since. Now, the intersection of generative AI and CGI image creation is the next wave. The convergence of these two totally different engines of creation will unlock new ways for artists to tell stories in ways we could never have imagined.”
Internet has its say
Of course, the internet has had its say on this move. One user posted: “Welp, here comes Skynet!”
Another posted: “…or did it ever occur to us that Skynet actually wrote the script and sent James Cameron to be on the AI board. To save itself.”
Others were more prosaic, noting that Cameron’s stance on AI is in contrast to Michael Bay, who has spoken out against the use of AI saying “it doesn’t create it just imitates.”
Earlier this year, a former OpenAI employee claimed that there is a 70% chance that AI could end humanity, and that companies developing AI are not adequately mitigating against the risks.
