Ghost in the Machine (2026) , by PBS and Independent Lens, takes a hard look at artificial intelligence. The documentary looks at what the term means, how it originates, and where it may be leading.
The documentary suggests that AI developed from the Eugenics movement in the late 19th century. The founder, Francis Galton, and his protégé, Karl Pearson, were each obsessed with measuring intelligence.
Charles Spearman, an eugenicist, tried to justify that some races are less intelligent. His theories led to race sterilization laws in Indiana and California at the turn of the century.
The documentary takes a hard look at the Silicon Valley, especially the role of William Shockley, a eugenicist, in building it.
Ai hype is leading more companies to create what they call AGI (artificial general intelligence) and ASI (artificial superintelligence). More and more people, such as tech workers in 3rd world countries, are being used to train AI models.
Construction of Ai data centers are causing havoc in communities. Worse, some want federal lands opened up for data centers.
More dangerous still is possible use of Ai by the military.
If nothing else changes the public's mind about the dangers of Ai, this documentary will.