These days, AI is everywhere. It’s being used to create images, write our text, do research, make movies and more. It’s so good at what it does, that in some cases it’s hard to determine what’s real anymore. According to Ghost in the Machine, the question we should be asking is should we be afraid?
For some, Hot Docs 2026 selection Ghost in the Machine may seen to be a little disjointed. After all it jumps from giving a history lesson in eugenics, to the development of Silicon Valley and the creation of AI. It’s rather shocking to see how they connect the dots and draw the lines between racism and the future of AI. What’s even more shocking is discovering the etymological origin of the term ‘artificial intelligence’. It was a term coined by researchers looking to explain the work they were doing to potential investors.
The documentary goes on to explain that AI really is still only theoretical, and a way for businesses to get more money from investors and governments looking to stay ahead in the game. What’s more, in order to make advances, AI companies exploit third world countries to help them clean up the digital messes they are making and pollute our world, all while plagiarizing other people’s work.
Like with all documentaries it’s important to keep an open mind and do your own research on the topic of AI. Things are not as all doom and gloom as they appear in the film, but Ghost in the Machine does give food for thought. It would be interesting to see a sequel to this documentary a few years down the road, to see where things end up as more progress is made.
- Genre: Documentary
- Directed by: Valerie Veatch
- Produced by: Valerie Veatch
- Written by: Valerie Veatch
