this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2026
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I will try to avoid spoilers

It's quite interesting how many of the dangers of AI were predicted in these movies (which debuted in the ~~late~~ mid 80s to early 00s). In the first film, the Terminator changes their voice to sound like the protagonist's mother, convincing her to reveal the address of the hotel she was staying in. This is scarily similar to how deepfake voices in the modern era have been used to trick people into believing they are family. Then, in the sequel, it goes on step further where the more advanced Terminator is able to change its appearance to look like another person. Again, this is like how deepfake photos and videos have been used for malicious purposes. In the third movie, the Terminator is able to access and manipulate different computer systems.

You also see how the Terminator becomes more human-like as you go through the movies. The original is systematic and isn't very sneaky, speaking in a monotone voice. The second iteration we see has a more natural voice and can mimic the appearance of others, and the last iteration has the most human-sounding voice of the three. In one scene, we also see them attempting to seduce a police officer by enlarging their breasts, and although it cuts to the next scene, it is presumed that it worked and that the officer may be dead.

But I believe that the most chilling prediction of the Terminator movies is how SkyNet will destroy most of humanity once given control of the military equipment (and therefore the missiles).

spoilers for the ending of the third movieIn the third movie, we see that the higher executives were pushing the military officer to give control of the network to SkyNet, claiming that it will solve all their problems (sound familiar?)

The officer is pressured to do this and follows through with the orders, and SkyNet launches the nuclear arsenal against humanity, causing billions of people to die and starting the war between man and machine.

The third movie emphasises the danger of integrating AI into everything, particularly military equipment, and we see, in multiple instances, how pressure from big execs that go against rational judgement can lead to a disastrous chain of events.

But what are we (or, more accurately, megacorps, the government, business execs, and others with significant power) doing with AI? Putting it in everything, all the services we rely on, in all sorts of gadgets (computers, smartphones, smart home bits, glasses...), and most notably, in the military of various different countries, many of whom nuclear-armed!

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[–] sbeak@sopuli.xyz 1 points 11 hours ago

The first three movies then! Did not know about the newer movies, they weren't there when I was searching for movies in the plane