iWonder July highlights: AI Incursions

Like it or not, artificial intelligence is here to stay; the question is, how will humanity shape its development and adapt to its advances?

In recognition of Artificial Intelligence Appreciation Day this July 16^th, iWonder introduces a collection of documentaries looking at everything from the impact of AI on the labour market, to tech implants, warring algorithms, tech renegades, state-sponsored hackers, and more.

The future is coming faster than we might have thought. But are we ready for it?

Will a Robot Steal My Job?

#AI #Dystopian #Investigation

Artificial intelligence is developing at breakneck speed, but what does this mean for the job market? Anne-Marie Tomchak, science journalist and Editor of Mashable, investigates how robots could be on course to render the skills of much of the world’s population obsolete, and asks the question - are any of our jobs safe?

We think of robots as primarily being in factories; but the reality is that lawyers, accountants and even artists, are facing a future in which their livelihoods are threatened by artificial intelligence.

In a series of exclusive interviews, Anne-Marie speaks to tech gurus, futurologists - including best-selling author of Rise of the Robots Martin Ford - and some of the world's most advanced roboticists to find out how the rise of the machine in an age of increasing automation, is already invisibly shaping all of our lives.

Cyborgs Among Us

#BioHacking #Technology #Controversial

In just a few years, technology will merge with our bodies in unimaginable ways and push the boundaries of what it is to be human. While medical technology still aims at remediating disabilities, cyborgs strive to something else - a merging of man and machine with the goal of enhancing human capabilities.

The first cyborgs are already crossing the boundaries of their human limits just for the sake of it; at home, in basement workshops and tattoo parlours, using low-tech equipment and a do-it-yourself attitude. They are a tiny minority, seen by many as weird or crazy experimenters, but in the near future we may call them pioneers.

In this film, we meet some of these explorers. We also look at research in medical technology to assess how close science is to creating cyborgs, and ponder the social and ethical dilemmas of a cyborg society.

Money Bots

#Computers #Money #Trading

Time is Money. In high frequency trading the fastest data network makes the deal. Computers trade against computers solely committed to the logic of their algorithms. Essentially, they are warring bots – money bots.

In the beginning, the intention was to use greater predictability and faster infrastructure to increase the stability of financial markets. In fact, the opposite has occurred: automation has made them more vulnerable. Moneybots love instability, where the greatest profits are to be made, and high-frequency trading is damaging the real economy. When trades take place in milliseconds, traders in the real economy are kept out of the loop. The system often relies on the discovery and exploitation of ‘cheats’ to get around restrictions.

And, as with all electronic systems, the moneybots can be hacked. Already there have been cases of flash crashes that destabilised the world’s markets. How did it come to this? We go back to their roots in the casinos of Las Vegas, where young mathematicians and physicists created algorithms and the first wearable computer to outsmart the roulette….

iWonder when

July 16th

While the world grapples with fears over the potentially damaging impact of the unchecked development of artificial intelligence, on July 16^th people around the world will celebrate the annual AI Appreciation Day, a special occasion dedicated to recognising and acknowledging the advancements, impact, and potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Setting fears and concerns to one side, AI Appreciation Day, sees individuals and organisations come together to celebrate the incredible strides made in the field of AI, in everything from healthcare and finance to transportation and entertainment.

Marked by events, conferences, and gatherings that bring together AI enthusiasts, researchers, professionals, and the general public, AI Appreciation Day also aims to raise awareness and understanding about the ethical implications and responsible use of AI, stimulating discussions, inspiring future developments, and encouraging responsible AI practices.

iWonder who

Kim Dotcom

The subject of ‘Kim Dotcom: Caught in the Web ‘ streaming now on iWonder, Kim Dotcom is a prominent figure in the world of technology and internet entrepreneurship. Originally named Kim Schmitz, he later adopted the surname Dotcom, which would become synonymous with his controversial exploits.

Dotcom's most notable venture, Megaupload, launched in 2005 and revolutionised online file sharing. The platform garnered millions of users but faced accusations of enabling copyright infringement. In 2012, the United States Department of Justice shut down Megaupload and arrested Dotcom in New Zealand. The subsequent legal battle over his extradition to the United States unfolded over several years.

Throughout his career, Dotcom has been vocal about issues such as online privacy, government surveillance, and copyright laws. He has advocated for digital rights and criticised perceived infringements on individual freedoms by governments and corporations. His life and career exemplify the intricate complexities surrounding technology, intellectual property, and individual rights in the digital age.

iWonder what:

Digital dilemmas

From coding to hacking, cryptocurrencies to digital theft, this July’s iWonder What Top Five delves into the complex world of tech heroes and villains, raising questions about how to tell the difference between the two as societies and governments continue to get to grips with uncharted digital territory.

1) Deep Web

#Crime #Business #Technology

Narrated by Keanu Reeves, the film explores how the brightest minds and thought leaders behind the Deep Web are now caught in the crosshairs of the battle for control of a future inextricably linked to technology, with our digital rights hanging in the balance.

2) Kim Dotcom: Caught in the Web

In January 2012, 70 heavily armed officers stormed the mansion of Kim Dotcom, tech entrepreneur and owner of the now-defunct popular file-sharing site MegaUpload, arresting him and his coders on a range of charges relating to alleged copyright infringement.

Kim Dotcom polarises opinion: is he a bit-stream pirate or a folk hero? An underdog taking on the US superpower or simply a thief? A wealthy businessman or a freedom-loving anarchist? This documentary asks those questions.

3) Code: Debugging the Gender Gap

#Women #Jobs #Technology

At a time when jobs in the tech sector are outpacing growth in all other sectors, where are all the women? Some of the most important pioneer coders were female but today, only 15% of software engineers in Silicon Valley are. Selected for Tribeca, this film goes behind the glib statistics to find out why so few women work in computer sciences.

4) Inside the Crypto-Kingdom

#Crypto #Blockchain #Innovation

The current hype about bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, as millions are made and lost, makes for great headlines but misses the far more interesting story about the technology that allows them to exist. This series dives into the crypto-kingdom to understand blockchain technology and explore its potential for the future.

5) Russia’s Cyber Army

#Putin #Cybersecurity #Hackers

For years now, the Kremlin has been systematically trying to use well-trained hackers for its own benefit. In exchange for freedom and protection, they do the dirty work of the state, interfering in other countries’ elections and penetrating government networks. Just how dangerous is Russia’s cyber army?

All films based on availability in Australia. Content may vary in other countries.