Cinematic Science at Rafael | Pacific Sun
Everything I know about life, I learned in movies. This includes my poor understanding of the natural world. Fortunately, a new series called “Science on Screen” has been released to fill in the big gaps.
Connecting film screenings with scientific discussions, the series hosts local media personality and playwright David Templeton in conversation with a variety of notable figures in the science field — including award-winning novelist Nina Schuyler, whose 2023 science fiction book, Conclusionwas selected as one of the top 100 notable books by The shelf is not bound.
Their conversation is part of ‘Aging, Artificial Intelligence and Connectedness in a Technological World’, and is followed by a screening of the film ‘Aging, Artificial Intelligence and Connectedness in a Technological World’. Robot and Franka 2012 film that finds an irascible old man (Frank Langella) paired with a caring robot that he despises.
Daedalus Howell: As a writer, and sometimes of science fiction, why do you think AI has such a hold on the public imagination, and why is it so dark?
Nina Schuyler: In many ways, artificial intelligence is a better human. Like the speed of light, it can traverse vast data sets and find patterns that point to potential solutions… It’s like a new god, and technologists promise that the future is not just bright, but radiant. But then, where do humans fit in?
Dirham: It feels like we’re in a science fiction story now – are we finally in a ‘life imitating art’ moment?
N.SIn my novel ConclusionShe wrote about a mathematician who uses artificial intelligence to restore her dead lover’s voice. She started writing in 2019, and was published shortly after. What you imagined is now possible. You can talk to the dead.
Every time I discuss AI, I start with, “This could all be outdated in a couple of months.” …So you’re right. We are in an artistic moment that imitates life. Be careful what you imagine.
Dirham: What is the best scenario for our current path with artificial intelligence?
N.S: The best scenario is for AI to collaborate with humans, working with us to solve important issues: political, medical, climate, and social. The efficiencies created by AI are passed on to consumers in the form of cheaper goods.
Adequate laws and guardrails are in place to prevent harm, and humans are compensated fairly for their data, which is used to build artificial intelligence. To help sort misinformation from information, AI-generated content is labeled.
“Science on Screen” will be released at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 1, at the Christopher P. Smith Raphael Film Center, 1118 4th St., San Rafael. Tickets are $8.50 for CalFilm members, $10.25 for youth and seniors, and $14 for general admission.
