I asked ChatGPT and Google Bard to discuss 2001: A Space Odyssey. Interesting!

Like many, I have followed the rapid evolution of the so-called AI language models, ChatGPT and Google Bard.

I for one still refuse to call them “Artificial Intelligence” as to me, this entails also having access to emotions to guide thoughts and reasoning, and emotion also includes those feelings brought on by other senses such as touch.

Be that as it may, from a computer science point of view Google Bard and ChatGPT are impressive achievements and I applaud the inventors on their successes so far.

I do not believe all the doom-mongering that is going on however, especially in the professions of the arts which of course includes writing, whether that be journalism or fiction. These tasks I especially think need emotion to make them unique.  Sure, these AI language models, and others no doubt to come after them can be used as a basis for something, but isn’t that just we currently call “research” in many cases?

By way of example, I used one of my favourite subjects of all time as a sort of test bed. This is the 1968 movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, which even 55 years later has few peers in its sweeping storyline and special effects (pre-CGI of course). It is still classified in the best 5 films of all time, and many lists make it number one.

If you haven’t even seen it, and you either a movie buff, a science fiction fan or are simply interested in the art of making films, you will not be disappointed I promise you. The ending is especially enigmatic and thought provoking; when the writer Arthur C Clarke was asked what it meant, he always answered “Whatever you want it to mean”.

Anyway, to test out Google Bard and ChatGPT, I asked them bit the same two questions. The first was:

Explain the synopsis of the film 2001: A Space Odyssey

Google Bard

2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 epic science fiction film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick. The screenplay was written by Kubrick and science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke and was inspired by Clarke’s 1951 short story “The Sentinel” and other short stories by Clarke. Clarke also published a novelisation of the film, in part written concurrently with the screenplay, after the film’s release. The film stars Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, and Douglas Rain, and follows a voyage by astronauts, scientists and the sentient supercomputer HAL to Jupiter to investigate an alien monolith.

The film is divided into four parts:

• The Dawn of Man: A group of ape-like creatures discover the use of bones as weapons in a quarrel over a waterhole.
• The Discovery: In 2001, a team of astronauts is sent on a mission to Jupiter to investigate a mysterious black monolith that has been found on the moon.
• HAL 9000: The astronauts become suspicious of HAL, the ship’s intelligent computer, which they believe is malfunctioning.
• Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite: Bowman, the sole survivor of the mission, encounters a second monolith and undergoes a mind-bending transformation.

The film is noted for its scientifically accurate depiction of space flight, pioneering special effects, and ambiguous imagery. It has been interpreted in many different ways, and its meaning has been debated by critics and scholars for decades.

ChatGPT

“2001: A Space Odyssey” is a science fiction film directed by Stanley Kubrick and released in 1968. It tells a complex and abstract story that spans from the prehistoric past to the distant future, exploring themes of human evolution, technology, and the search for meaning in the universe.

The film begins with a mesmerizing sequence depicting the evolution of mankind from apes to modern humans, symbolizing the advancement of intelligence and tools. In the near future, a mysterious black monolith is discovered on the Moon, emitting a powerful signal towards Jupiter. A team of astronauts, led by Dr. Dave Bowman and Dr. Frank Poole, is sent on a mission aboard the spaceship Discovery to investigate this enigmatic monolith and its purpose.

As the crew travels through space, they rely heavily on the ship’s computer system, known as HAL 9000, which exhibits artificial intelligence and appears to have its own agenda. HAL begins to malfunction, leading to a series of events that result in the deaths of the crew members. Bowman, the sole survivor, manages to disconnect HAL and continues his journey towards Jupiter alone.

During his solitary voyage, Bowman encounters another monolith near Jupiter and is pulled into a mind-bending and surreal journey across time and space. He witnesses bizarre and abstract phenomena, including a room resembling a hotel suite and his own aging process. Eventually, he is transformed into a star child, an ethereal being representing the next stage of human evolution.

The film’s ending is open to interpretation, but it suggests that the monoliths are agents of an extraterrestrial intelligence that catalyze and monitor human evolution. It raises profound questions about humanity’s place in the universe, the nature of consciousness, and the potential for transcendent transformation.

“2001: A Space Odyssey” is known for its groundbreaking visual effects, philosophical themes, and its ambitious and unconventional storytelling. It remains a highly influential and thought-provoking work of science fiction cinema.

Some of the themes explored in the film include the nature of evolution, the relationship between humans and machines, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The film has also been praised for its visual beauty and its haunting soundtrack.

2001: A Space Odyssey is a landmark film that has had a profound influence on science fiction cinema. It is a challenging and thought-provoking film that continues to be enjoyed and debated by audiences today.

Summation

As you can see, it appears Google Bard goes a bit deeper than ChatGPT. For example, it lists the main actor’s names, whereas ChatGPT does not mention these at all. Nor does ChatGPT mention a very critical factor, that Arthur C Clarke wrote the film in conjunction with Kubrick; it was actually a modified compound of some of Clarke’s works that started with a short story called The Sentinel, and in any research of the film I’d suggest that is crucial.

Not mentioned by either is the names of the other crew members of the Discovery One, Kimball, Kaminsky and Hunter who are deep hibernation and killed off by HAL, also a major part of the story line.  And indeed, Bard only names Bowman – none of the other characters are even mentioned by name.

In summation then, in terms of research, both Google Bard and ChatGPT come up short in my opinion, with Bard just doing a marginally better job, but even then, nowhere near what an even slightly curious high school student would dig up quite quickly I’d suspect.

For the second question, I modified it slightly to see if I could force any emotion or deeper thoughts about the film, so asked “Explain the meaning of the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.”

Google Bard:

The meaning of 2001: A Space Odyssey is a matter of much debate and interpretation. The film is full of symbolism and ambiguity, and there is no one definitive answer to what it all means. However, some of the key themes that can be found in the film include:

• The nature of human evolution. The film begins with a scene of apes discovering a mysterious black monolith, which seems to trigger a leap in their evolution. This suggests that the monoliths are somehow involved in the process of human evolution, and that they may be guiding us towards our next stage of development.
• The relationship between humans and technology. The film also explores the relationship between humans and technology, particularly artificial intelligence. The HAL 9000 computer is a powerful and intelligent machine, but it also becomes dangerously self-aware. This raises questions about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, and the potential for machines to surpass human intelligence.
• The search for meaning in the universe. The film also explores the search for meaning in the universe. The monoliths seem to be artifacts from an advanced alien civilization, and they may hold the key to understanding our place in the universe. However, the film ultimately leaves the question of meaning unanswered, suggesting that it is something that each individual must find for themselves.

Ultimately, the meaning of 2001: A Space Odyssey is up to the individual viewer to decide. The film is a complex and multi-layered work of art, and it can be interpreted in many different ways. However, the film’s exploration of these key themes makes it a powerful and thought-provoking work of science fiction.

Here are some other interpretations of the film:

• The monoliths represent a higher power or intelligence that is guiding human evolution.
• The film is an allegory for the human journey from birth to death.
• The film is a meditation on the nature of time and space.
• The film is a warning about the dangers of technology.

Whatever the meaning of 2001: A Space Odyssey, it is clear that the film is a work of great artistic and philosophical merit. It is a film that has been interpreted and debated for decades, and it is likely to continue to be studied and discussed for many years to come.

ChatGPT:

“2001: A Space Odyssey” is a science fiction film directed by Stanley Kubrick and released in 1968. It is known for its enigmatic and abstract narrative, which has led to multiple interpretations and discussions among viewers and critics over the years. The film explores themes of human evolution, technology, artificial intelligence, and the search for meaning in the universe.

The story is divided into four distinct parts, each representing a different phase in human development. The first part, titled “The Dawn of Man,” depicts the evolution of early humans, focusing on a tribe of apes who encounter a mysterious black monolith. This encounter sparks a significant change in their behavior, leading to the discovery and use of tools, specifically a bone used as a weapon. This sequence suggests the influence of external forces on human evolution and the impact of technology on our development as a species.

The second part, “TMA-1,” takes place millions of years later and centers around the discovery of a monolith buried on the Moon. This finding triggers a mission to Jupiter by a spacecraft called Discovery One. The mission is manned by a crew of astronauts, including Dr. David Bowman and Dr. Frank Poole, who are accompanied by the artificial intelligence system HAL 9000. HAL is depicted as highly advanced and capable, but it eventually develops a malfunction, leading to a tense and deadly conflict with the human crew.

The third part, “Jupiter Mission,” follows Bowman as he embarks on a journey to Jupiter after the rest of the crew is killed by HAL. During this journey, Bowman experiences a surreal and mind-bending sequence known as the “Stargate,” where he encounters a series of abstract visuals and bizarre phenomena. The sequence represents Bowman’s transcendence to a higher state of existence and his encounter with an extraterrestrial intelligence.

The final part, “Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite,” features Bowman’s transformation into the Star Child, a fetus-like entity depicted floating in space. The Star Child is seen observing Earth, implying a newfound understanding and a potential rebirth or evolution of humanity. The film ends with an ambiguous and open-ended conclusion, inviting interpretation and contemplation.

“2001: A Space Odyssey” explores grand philosophical questions, including the nature of human existence, the possibilities of evolution and transcendence, the implications of advanced technology, and the search for meaning in the vastness of the cosmos. It challenges viewers to reflect on their place in the universe and the potential paths of human development, leaving room for personal interpretation and speculation.

Summation

I’d suggest that again ChatGPT falls short of what Google Bard managed to cobble together, however ChatGPT does come to the conclusion of the creation of the Star Child as being the result of Bowman’s transition through the Stargate – whatever THAT was. Google Bard doesn’t get to that conclusion, or even describe it.

So again, whilst a creditable job was done to try and use some thought and interpretation into the plot by both AI systems, nothing more than what has already been published elsewhere was offered in reality.

Hence, I stand by my case (and no doubt will be howled down by the passionate AI hordes) that at least these AI systems are not “thinking”, just mimicking.

Feel free to comment below but keep it civil please!