How scared of AI should we be? A new documentary film from an Oscar winner seeks answer

As filmmaker Daniel Roher and his wife prepared for the arrival of their first child, they found themselves grappling with profound questions about the future. With growing discussions surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential effects on society, Roher questioned whether it was wise to bring a child into a world increasingly influenced by technology. His curiosity led to the creation of "The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist," co-directed with Charlie Tyrell, which premiered in theaters on March 27. In the days leading up to the film's release, producers Diane Becker and Ted Tremper shared insights during a dinner event for CNBC's Technology Executive Council. They reflected on the challenges of producing the documentary, which included reaching out to some of the biggest names in AI for interviews. Tremper admitted that he and many others involved had limited knowledge of AI prior to the project, stating, "I had to listen to hundreds of hours of podcasts just to begin to figure it out." Tremper's efforts to secure interviews with key figures in AI initially yielded disappointing results; out of 90 emails sent, only six responses were received. Ultimately, however, Roher managed to interview 40 individuals on camera, including notable CEOs like Sam Altman from OpenAI, Dario Amodei from Anthropic, and Demis Hassabis from Google DeepMind, despite some high-profile figures like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk opting out. Throughout the documentary, Roher's anxious and skeptical demeanor shines through as he poses fundamental questions to the experts. "That’s not an act; that’s who Daniel is," noted Becker. The film's exploration of AI begins with a simple, yet challenging inquiry: What exactly is AI? Tremper mentioned that even Nobel Prize-winning scientists struggled to provide straightforward explanations, reflecting the complexity and ambiguity surrounding the topic. The film serves as a commentary on the polarized perceptions of AI, which often swing between utopian and dystopian extremes. Tremper pointed out this duality, emphasizing the importance of guiding viewers through the nuances rather than adhering strictly to sensational headlines. The filmmakers learned early on that chasing current events could jeopardize their narrative, especially when unexpected developments like Altman's brief ousting from OpenAI occurred. In the lead-up to the film's release, the positive reception at festivals, including Sundance, was heartening for Becker and Tremper. They noted that audiences often expressed surprise at how a documentary about AI could evoke both laughter and tears. Reflecting on a recent screening for students in Copenhagen, Becker observed the varied perspectives shared among viewers, highlighting the film's ability to spark meaningful discussions. When asked about their perspectives on AI post-filming, both Becker and Tremper acknowledged a shift in their views. Tremper expressed a newfound apprehension, stating, "I used to think there were adults in the room who would take care of this... I don't feel like that anymore." Becker emphasized the importance of public awareness regarding AI technologies like ChatGPT and Claude, urging everyone to engage in the conversation and remain critical of how these tools are integrated into our lives. She remarked, "We all have a seat at the table, and we cannot let the tech companies dictate how we use AI. We must be part of the solution and continue to question its implications."