This edition of Foreshadowing TechΒ considers how so many AI speculations from Colossus: The Forbin ProjectΒ have come true in both surprising and subtle ways. Regular panelists Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, are joined by guest AI enthusiast Jill McKinley to look at how the film predicted things like machine autonomy, surveillance, privacy and self-improving systems. Wrapped in a thriller that is as much political as it is tech, there are questions about freedom and security that we have yet to address today. The panel mixes film trivia, tech analysis, and unsettling parallels to todayβs AI debates in a thoughtful discussion.Β
The debut of a new MacVoicesβ series, Foreshadowing Tech,Β examines how science fiction has influenced real-world technology using 2001: A Space Odyssey and 2010: The Year We Made Contact as the first case study. Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, and Marty Jencius discuss the depictions of various technologies, and how they measure up to the current state of things, including space travel, tablets, biometrics, HAL, AI, cryosleep, movie aesthetics, and the lasting cultural impact of both films.Β