Cate Blanchett, the renowned Australian actress known for her exceptional performances in films like “The Aviator” and “Blue Jasmine,” recently expressed her grave concerns regarding the burgeoning impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society. Speaking in an interview with Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC, Blanchett articulated her fears about the advancements in technology, particularly concerning robots and driverless vehicles. She stated, “I’m looking at these robots and driverless cars, and I don’t really know what that’s bringing anybody,” underlining a sense of ambiguity surrounding the benefits of such innovations.
The actress, who is currently promoting her latest film, “Rumours,” described it as an apocalyptic comedy revolving around world leaders who find themselves trapped in a forest. In her remarks, she drew a comparison between the absurdities depicted in her film and the stark realities facing the world today. She emphasized, “Our film looks like a sweet little documentary compared to what’s going on in the world,” highlighting her perception that the film’s satire serves as a mere reflection of the pressing issues plaguing modern civilization.
While Blanchett acknowledged that the rise of AI could pose a potential threat to her own profession, she indicated that her primary concern rests with the broader implications for humanity. “I’m less concerned about that and more about the impact it will have on the average person,” she stated. This widening lens of concern illustrates her apprehension regarding how AI could affect societal structures and everyday life, transcending individual job security.
The actress made a stark observation about the nature of AI, noting that the technology presents a “very real” risk due to its capacity to replicate human voices and personas with minimal effort. She explained, “If you’ve recorded yourself for three or four seconds, your voice can be replicated,” a statement that raises significant ethical questions about likeness and consent. Blanchett characterized the continuous advancements in AI as “experimentation for its own sake,” where the boundary between creativity and destruction becomes blurred.
Delving deeper into the existential ramifications of AI, Blanchett underscored the implications for humanity as a whole, expressing a sense of urgency regarding the need for thoughtful engagement with this technology. She stated, “I’m worried about us as a species; it’s a much bigger problem.” Her contemplation reflects broader societal concerns that echo in various sectors outside the confines of film and entertainment, emphasizing an urgent need for a collective discourse on the trajectory of technological advancements.
In her latest film “Rumours,” Blanchett portrays the Chancellor of Germany, who gathers other world leaders for a G7 summit. The film aims to critiqued the absurdities and inefficacies associated with political leadership, presenting characters that are intentionally not based on real figures. Blanchett remarked that she “deliberately stepped away from that” to allow audiences to project their interpretations onto the narrative. The film’s director, Guy Maddin, echoed this sentiment, explaining that he sought to create characters that provoke reflection on the real-world implications of leadership while embracing a fantastical narrative devoid of explicit political allegories.
Maddin describes the initial approach to character creation as stemming from “sheer contempt,” which evolves as the story unfolds, illustrating the characters’ descent into chaos. Blanchett posits that the disorienting experiences of the leaders serve to highlight their detachment from the realities faced by the populace. She remarked, “People talk about actors being infantilized and indulged, but there’s something about politicians being infantilized and indulged by the system,” suggesting that both realms may struggle with their identities and responsibilities in a rapidly changing world.
The conversation surrounding AI and its broader consequences, particularly those highlighted by Cate Blanchett, reflect the growing apprehensions among many regarding the intersection of technology and societal well-being. Her candid thoughts resonate across various sectors, urging a re-evaluation of how we navigate the transformative implications of AI in our lives today and in the foreseeable future.
