The Terminator series was produced by Gale Ann Hurd, and written and directed by James Cameron. The movie ends with Sarah Connor saying, “If a machine can learn the value of human life, maybe we can too.” James Cameron explored this idea through contrasts between human and machine motivations to accomplish a task. The Terminator is made to look and act very close to human behaviors. These excerpts follow interviews with James Cameron from Collider and Sydfield.
Moral code
Through John Connor, Cameron wanted to highlight the importance of moral code to humans while this was not “learned” or “programmed” into the T-800. John says to the Terminator that he cannot kill humans but is unable to articulate this idea. This immediately changes the Terminator from being a killing machine to something that preserves life.
Self-Preservation
Cameron mentions that had spoken with numerous AI scientists to understand human motives vs those of machines. Emotion is primarily created by a sense of self and further, self-preservation. However, both the Terminator and T-1000 were designed to act on order and complete the mission. This difference can be observed in Sarah’s intention vs those of the Terminator’s. While Sarah wanted to save humans because she “feels” strongly about it through a sense of identity, the Terminator acts on a few simple rules – complete the mission he was assigned to do and listen to everything John says. Cameron further shows this when the Terminator sacrifices himself as this was the final aspect of the mission. Of course, T-800 shows no remorse or pain. However, this raises the question of free will in machines if they do have the abilities of humans.
Beyond Computing: Indestructible Metal
James Cameron intended to design a powerful villain that supersedes the abilities of the T-800 and describes how he felt “chills” in writing T-1000. He maximizes the creative exploration of technology by introducing the “polyalloy” that can shapeshift, reassemble itself and is practically indestructible by weapons. This goes beyond computing through smart materials and its capabilities.
Sources
https://collider.com/james-cameron-terminator-dark-fate-interview/
