Ex Machina (2014) & Her (2013): The Emotional Turing Test | EP15
- Dec 12, 2019
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
Artificial intelligence stories often imagine machines overthrowing humanity.
But some of the most fascinating science-fiction films explore something far more personal: what happens when artificial intelligence becomes capable of understanding human emotion.
In this episode of Journey Through Sci-Fi, hosts James and Matt continue their Artificial Intelligence series by examining two modern films that explore relationships between humans and intelligent machines: Ex Machina (2014) and Her (2013).
Both films imagine futures where artificial intelligence moves beyond simple machines and begins developing something that looks remarkably like human consciousness.
Because here on Journey Through Sci-Fi, we’re exploring the history of science-fiction cinema one subgenre at a time.
Listen to the full episode below:
What We Discuss In This Episode
In this episode we explore:
• The philosophical questions surrounding AI consciousness
• How Ex Machina (2014) explores manipulation, intelligence and the Turing Test
• The emotional themes behind Her (2013) and AI relationships
• Why modern science fiction increasingly focuses on the human side of artificial intelligence
• Whether machines could ever genuinely experience emotion
Ex Machina (2014) – Artificial Consciousness and the Turing Test
Directed by Alex Garland, Ex Machina is one of the most influential modern films about artificial intelligence.
The story follows a programmer invited to evaluate a humanoid AI named Ava, created by a reclusive tech billionaire.
The experiment is framed as a version of the Turing Test, designed to determine whether Ava truly possesses intelligence indistinguishable from a human mind.
But as the evaluation unfolds, the lines between observer and subject begin to blur.
The film explores a powerful question: If artificial intelligence becomes capable of understanding and manipulating human behaviour, can it truly be controlled?
Her (2013) – Artificial Intelligence and Human Relationships
Directed by Spike Jonze, Her takes a very different approach to artificial intelligence.
Set in a near-future world where advanced operating systems function as digital companions, the film follows Theodore, a lonely writer who develops a relationship with an AI assistant named Samantha.
Rather than presenting AI as a threat, the film explores the emotional possibilities of artificial intelligence.
It asks a simple but profound question:
If a machine can understand and reciprocate human emotion, can love between human and AI be real?
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About Journey Through Sci-Fi
Journey Through Sci-Fi is a podcast exploring the strange, visionary and world-changing history of science-fiction cinema.
Each series focuses on a different sci-fi subgenre, examining the films and ideas that shaped the genre - from classic cinema to modern science-fiction storytelling
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