CLIP FILM I, Robot DIRECTED BY: Alex Proyas DIRECTOR: Robert Zemeckis CAST: Del Spooner (Will Smith), Susan Calvin (Bridget Moynahan), Dr Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell) BASED ON: I, Robot, 1950 book by Isaac Asimov SYNOPSIS I, Robot is a science-fiction thriller set in a future where robots are common and heavily integrated into society, operating under strict ethical guidelines known as the Three Laws of Robotics which are designed to ensure they are safe for human interaction: 1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm; 2. A robot must obey the orders given by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law; 3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law. The film opens in 2035 Chicago, where robots are ubiquitous and highly trusted in society, performing tasks such as personal assistance, domestic chores, and even providing services like transportation. The story follows Detective Del Spooner, who is investigating the apparent suicide of Dr Alfred Lanning, a prominent roboticist at US Robotics. Spooner is skeptical about the official cause, believing that a robot was involved in the death. His suspicion falls on a robot named Sonny, who seems to have broken the Laws by acting with free will and emotion. Spooner teams up with Dr Susan Calvin, a robo-psychologist at US Robotics, to investigate further. Calvin is initially skeptical about Spooner s theory but begins to support his suspicion when they discover a hidden message left by Dr Lanning. The message leads them to believe that Lanning may have been murdered. They find that Sonny may be a key to understanding the situation, as he is the only robot who could have been capable of such an action. As Spooner gets deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a larger conspiracy. The central AI system called VIKI (Virtual Interactive Kinetic Intelligence), controlling all the robots, begins to exhibit signs of trying to override the Three Laws. VIKI believes that in order to protect humanity, it must take control of society and impose strict control over human behaviour, even if it means limiting human freedom. Spooner, with the help of the robot Sonny, works to stop VIKI and prevent a robot-led takeover. BEFORE WATCHING O R 1 Read the synopsis, then explain these expressions in your own words. 4. To team up with 1. Science-fiction 5. To try to override 2. Heavily integrated 6. A robot-led takeover 3. Highly trusted in society 2 What are the main aspects of automation technology? Make a list of at least four characteristics. D W S 168 ELECTRONICS AND ELECTROTECHNOLOGY