Eagle Eye: AI and Its Ethical Concerns

Eagle Eye 

Eagle Eye, released in 2008, is an action-packed techno-thriller that left audiences clutching their popcorn with anticipation- not because the film was mysterious or nuanced, but because the action was relentless. It features a seemingly never-ending stream of car chases, fiery explosions, and dramatic moments. The film plunges viewers into a world where advanced technology becomes a tool of manipulation and control. While in 2008, AI wasn’t as readily available to the public as it is today, the fear of out-of-control artificial intelligence was just as great. The supercomputer in Eagle Eye, known as ARIIA, is so devoted to upholding the constitution that she is willing to bring down the most powerful government leaders to do it. So how realistic is this depiction of sentient AI, and could it be closer to us than we think?  

AI Being Melodramatic  

The short answer is no; AI as sentient (and passionate about the U.S. moral code) as depicted in Eagle Eye is not realistic. This film hinges on the idea of a sentient supercomputer that not only collects massive amounts of data but can also perform tasks by overtaking anything from cameras to traffic lights to construction cranes. Thats right- one of the first action sequences we get involves ARIIA knocking down half a building by remotely controlling a crane. Not only can ARIIA do all of this, but she also has the ability to make extremely complex decisions involving the value of human life. But like any computer, most of her decisions are based on numbers. Sacrificing one person to save two, is basically as far as she can compute. Right now, we are nowhere near this. Today’s AI is still classified as ‘narrow AI’ or AI that primarily works with specific requests and language processing. This is made possible by large inputs of data, preprogrammed instructions, and machine learning. Some of the most advanced AI right now can even perform image recognition. But it definitely can’t play claw machine with giant cranes. AI acting autonomously for its own agenda is still a theoretical concept confined to Hollywood movies and sci-fi novels. It is heavily debated whether AI will ever be able to jump off the screen and into our real lives. Despite the rigorous discussion, we still don’t have a clear answer. 

The Tech Tactics 

While Eagle Eye’s depiction of AI is still far off-base, it does incorporate several elements of existing technology constructed in a way that is almost plausible. 

Throughout the film ARIIA contacts the two leads by constantly tapping phones, sending mysterious text messages, and manipulating communications networks. These tactics are seamless and performed in seconds, which is fairly unrealistic, but they are rooted in some realities. The government has developed sophisticated methods for intercepting network communications, but to what extent, we aren’t sure. We know that phones can be tapped, with regulations of course, and we know that messages can be intercepted from cell towers as well. Doing this at the speed this film portrays is probably still far from possible. AIIRA somehow has the ability to access any device regardless of encryption or security measures. 

Another prominent hack that AIIRA accomplishes is the manipulation of traffic lights. This could be possible. Some traffic lights are susceptible to hacking because they are connected to control centers where unauthorized access could theoretically allow someone to alter the light patterns. However, this isn’t a common occurrence because fail-safe technology would take over in a situation that involves this kind of infrastructure. 

AIIRA also tracks the characters using security cameras. She hacks into them at a rapid pace to follow the characters around. While it is possible to hack into network connected security cameras, it's highly unlikely that someone, even a computer, could do it at this speed. However, facial recognition technology has made it possible to detect certain people in camera footage and follow them through a connected feed. This would require the facial recognition technology to be hooked up to the entire set of cameras if you wanted to identify someone throughout a whole sequence of footage.  

There are a few main reasons why this movie is completely unrealistic. For one thing, the sentient AI supercomputer is far beyond our current technological abilities. Secondly, the computers' access to infrastructure to the point of manipulation is also highly improbable. Achieving such centralized access is nearly impossible. This would also require a lot of cooperation between public and private entities that wouldn’t be easy in the real world. Thirdly, there are huge ethical and legal concerns that liter this film. Would the U.S. government build such a high-power computer? Could they? Even if they could, do we want to hand over the ability to make these decisions to a computer? There would be major concerns about privacy, the possibility of abuse, and a laundry list of other ethical considerations. 

Eagle Eye presents a compelling narrative by pushing the boundaries of current technological capabilities and playing on the fears associated with an increasingly interconnected world. Its depiction of AI is still just a conspiracy rooted in science fiction. While it might not be a realistic depiction of our current world, it does pose some interesting questions about where we could be headed with the constant advancement of artificial intelligence.