Artificial Intelligence In The Film 'Ex Machina'

Language and syntax alone are enough to define something as being a person. Testing a machine’s ability to exhibit standard intelligent behavior is not a sufficient enough test of personhood. An AI that can understand input and project output is not adequate for humans to declare something a “person.” Ex Machina is a film that explores the philosophical questions of artificial intelligence, and what it means to have consciousness and a mind. Through examining this film and its titular character Ava, I will argue for why emotional intelligence should be a major determining factor in testing for personhood. Using philosophical works, I look to show the shortcomings of the Turing Test and the importance of emotional intelligence through self-motivation, self-awareness and intentionality. In Ex Machina, Nathan, the creator of Ava, used a modified Turing Test to evaluate her capabilities. As Nathan put it, “Ava was a mouse in a mousetrap. And I

Searle, for instance, argues strong intentionality is impossible when he states, “Any attempt literally to create intentionality artificially (strong AI) could not succeed just by designing programs but would have to duplicate the causal powers of the human brain” (Searle). Yet, Ex Machina circumvents this problem in a when Nathan talks about the brain he created for Ava. Since it is malleable, it can store new thoughts and redesign old ones. It is filled with human like synaptic gaps and nerves that can communicate with one another. The brain that Nathan built for Ava is able to mimic the human brain seemingly perfectly and because of this, Searle’s argument loses its merit. Nathan was able to create strong AI specifically by duplicating the casual powers of the human mind. Because of this, Ava’s mind is capable of intentionality, which acts to further highlight her emotional intelligence and prove her