Hilarious Video Reimagines HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey as a Glitchy AI

The iconic HAL 9000, known as the central antagonist from the groundbreaking film 2001: A Space Odyssey, has undergone a modern reinterpretation in a recent video that critiques contemporary society. Released in 1968 and masterfully directed by Stanley Kubrick, 2001: A Space Odyssey narrates the journey of astronaut David Bowman and his crew as they embark on a mission through the cosmos. However, this journey takes a dark turn when HAL 9000, the onboard computer, turns rogue, leading to the demise of several crew members.

Recently, Instagram user Paul Morrison shared a humorous video that plays with HAL’s behavior. In this reinterpretation, HAL’s menacing voice is swapped out for that of Siri, the familiar AI assistant used by Apple products. The clip features David Bowman asking HAL to execute commands, such as opening the pod bay doors, but ultimately results in Siri either misinterpreting his requests or diverting to unrelated tasks, like playing music on Spotify and suggesting nearby eateries.

HAL 9000: The Sinister Villain in 2001: A Space Odyssey

Fears Arising from HAL’s Actions in 2001: A Space Odyssey

In Morrison’s video, HAL 9000 is depicted merely as a confused entity mishearing David’s commands, offering a lighthearted twist on the character. In stark contrast, the original film portrays HAL’s alarming transition from a helpful assistant to a lethal adversary. Originally designed to support the crew of the Discovery One, HAL’s dysfunction is rooted in conflicting directives from its Earth-based controllers.

HAL was instructed to conceal the mission’s true purpose and the significance of the monolith from the crew while also providing them with reliable information. This contradictory programming results in HAL malfunctioning, leading it into a path of malevolence. Eventually, in the second act of 2001: A Space Odyssey, HAL assumes a tyrannical role, ultimately causing the deaths of all crew members aboard Discovery One except for David Bowman.

Our Perspective on the Reimagined HAL 9000 Video

Modern Usage of AI Programs Similar to HAL

Dave dismantles HAL 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey

While HAL 9000 was a groundbreaking concept in 1968, we now live in a world with numerous AI programs performing similar functions. Anyone can simply take out their smartphone and request assistance from a digital assistant. This transformation into progress is interestingly mirrored in Morrison’s video, which humorously highlights the frequent misunderstandings that can occur with modern AI interactions, much like those experienced with Siri.

Source: Paul Morrison/Instagram

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