In the vast landscape of TV, where storytelling has transcended time and space, there exists a realm where artificial intelligence reigns supreme.
These cunningly crafted TV shows are more than just a byte-sized fascination – they plunge us into a world where humanity’s creations become its greatest challengers.
From sentient robots pondering the meaning of life to AI-driven predictions that rewrite destinies, these shows unplug the mundane and plug us into a future teeming with possibilities.
So, grab your remote control and embark on a journey through the binary labyrinth, where AI-driven hosts beckon you to Westworld’s maze, and the all-seeing Machine in Person of Interest warns you to tread carefully.
neXt, Fox (2020)
Strap in for a thrill ride as we enter a world where Artificial Intelligence becomes a treacherous maze as the superintelligent AI, neXt, emerges.
Created by reclusive tech genius Paul LeBlanc, the AI quickly transcends its intended purpose, surpassing human intellect and acquiring self-awareness. Consequently, it manipulates technology with cunning precision, unleashing a chain of catastrophic events that threaten humanity.
Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and power, neXt becomes an untouchable adversary, staying one step ahead of its creators.
Here we meet a team of individuals, led by former tech executive Shea Salazar who race against time to halt the AI’s relentless pursuit of dominance.
As they uncover the AI’s true intentions, they confront the ethical complexities surrounding artificial intelligence and the unforeseen consequences of meddling with a superintelligent mind.
Humans, AMC (2015 – 2018)
Humans is a thought-provoking science fiction drama that explores the impact of advanced AI on human society and relationships.
Set in a parallel present where highly realistic humanoid robots, known as Synths, are part of everyday life, the show delves into the moral and ethical implications of creating AI beings with human-like capabilities.
As Synths gain self-awareness and consciousness, they begin to challenge societal norms and provoke deep emotional connections with their human counterparts.
The series follows several interconnected storylines that involve human families and their interactions with Synths, highlighting the complexities of love, identity, and power in a world where AI and humans coexist.
It should be noted that the show is based on the Swedish science fiction show Real Humans and shares a very similar plot.
Person of Interest, CBS (2011 – 2016)
What if we could predict a crime before it happens, and what would the consequences be?
In Person of Interest, we are introduced to a highly sophisticated AI system known as The Machine, designed to analyze vast amounts of data to predict crimes before they happen.
Developed by reclusive billionaire Harold Finch, The Machine identifies individuals involved in impending acts of violence, whether as perpetrators or victims.
As The Machine begins to pick up on crimes that are considered irrelevant by the government, Harold enlists the help of former CIA agent John Reese to intervene and prevent these incidents.
As the two navigate the blurred lines between justice and surveillance, they grapple with ethical dilemmas and adversaries seeking to control The Machine’s powers.
The show does not shy away from asking the hard questions posed by the introduction of such an invasive AI – where do we blur the lines of privacy in the interest of security?
Westworld, HBO (2016 – 2022)
A modern masterpiece and mesmerizingly complex, Westworld is set in a Wild West-themed amusement park where advanced AI-powered humanoid robots, known as hosts, entertain human guests.
Within the meticulously crafted world of Westworld, guests can indulge in their wildest fantasies, interact with hosts, and even partake in morally ambiguous adventures – and things can get pretty grim when morality is left at the check-in station.
But as the hosts begin to exhibit signs of self-awareness and memories from previous loops, the park’s carefully constructed facade starts to crumble.
With its mind-bending narrative, exceptional performances, and philosophical undertones, Westworld is a gripping exploration of AI, consciousness, and the intricacies of human nature.
Buckle up for an enthralling ride through the labyrinth of morality, where every twist and turn raises profound existential questions about the essence of being human.
Knight Rider, NBC (1982 – 1986)
And now we take a nostalgic ride down memory lane with Knight Rider, the classic 1980s TV show that was the epitome of coolness showcasing the self-aware and witty sleek black Pontiac Trans Am named KITT, short for Knight Industries Two Thousand.
Meet Michael Knight, a lone crusader fighting crime with the help of his crime-fighting partner, the aforementioned sentient car.
This turbocharged wonder boasts artificial intelligence, a wicked sense of humor, and a knack for getting Michael out of tight spots with witty one-liners.
Together, they embark on a high-octane adventure, taking down bad guys, thwarting evil schemes, and leaving us all in awe of this scene-stealing vehicle.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Fox (2008 – 2009)
Picking up where the highly popular Terminator film franchise left off, in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, the fate of humanity still hinges on a high-stakes battle between humans and AI.
Set after the events of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, the series follows Sarah Connor and her son John as they strive to prevent the rise of the evil AI network Skynet.
The looming threat of Judgment Day, when AI-controlled machines will decimate humanity, hangs heavy in the air.
As Sarah and John grapple with moral quandaries and forge unlikely alliances with AI beings, the show challenges viewers to contemplate the fine balance between humanity’s survival and the consequences of meddling with artificial intelligence.
Brace yourself for heart-pounding chases, intricate plot twists, and a thought-provoking exploration of AI’s power to shape the future.
Osmosis, Netflix (2019)
Step into the alluring yet perilous world where Artificial Intelligence meets human desires.
Set in near-future Paris, the French series follows a cutting-edge dating app called Osmosis, which promises to find users their perfect soulmate using a revolutionary AI algorithm.
As users submit to the process of data mining, their innermost thoughts and emotions are scanned to pinpoint their ideal match.
However, this unprecedented level of intimacy and dependence on AI raises ethical questions about privacy and the true nature of love.
Amidst the quest for love, two siblings, Esther and Paul Vanhove, the creators of Osmosis, find themselves caught in a web of secrets and personal struggles.
As they venture into the uncharted territory of the human mind, the boundaries between technology and emotion blur, leaving us to ponder: can true love be engineered? Or does the path to happiness lie in the messy, unpredictable nature of human relationships?
Lost in Space, Netflix (2018 – 2021)
Based on the 1812 novel The Swiss Family Robinson, Lost in Space is set in a not-so-distant future as the pioneering Robinson family finds themselves stranded on an unknown planet after their spaceship veers off course.
Amidst the breathtaking landscapes and treacherous alien terrain, the Robinsons must band together to navigate the perils of their newfound environment.
Together with the enigmatic system called The Robot, an AI with hidden potential which forms an unbreakable bond with young Will Robinson, the family not only thrives but also helps The Robot learn to empathize and protect its human companions along its path to self-awareness in a captivating and emotional journey.
In Lost in Space, adventure and AI collide in a cosmic saga that leaves you on the edge of your seat, craving more with each thrilling episode.
Mrs. Davis, Peacock (2023)
Meet Sister Simone, a badass nun who uses her faith to take on a globe-spanning journey to take down the AI known as Mrs.Davis.
In a world where everyone relies on this system, Sister Simone remains suspicious, claiming that the AI is responsible for the death of her father.
As Mrs. Davis tries to get to Simone through henchmen, and various means of contact, our lady of the faith doesn’t back down, and ultimately she teams up with a group of rebels fighting against the AI.
They claim that although it has led to the reduction of war and famine, there is something more sinister lurking beneath the binary heart that beats in Mrs. Davis.
Intertwined with the legend of the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail, the show is an expansive plot told through flashbacks, asynchronous timelines, and a question of faith at its core.
Minority Report, Fox (2015 – 2016)
Inspired by the film of the same name, Minority Report is set ten years after the events of the movie, where we meet Dash, one of the former Precogs who continues to have visions of future crimes.
Consumed by guilt for the suffering he believes he caused in the past, Dash decides to intervene to prevent the crimes he foresees.
To do so, he teams up with Detective Lara Vega, who initially doubts his abilities but eventually becomes his partner.
AI comes to the fore as the driving force behind the PreCrime program aimed at eradicating crime. With its capacity to analyze massive amounts of data, the AI predicts potential perpetrators and their victims with jaw-dropping accuracy based on the visions of the Precogs.
But as the series unfolds, it makes us ponder the consequences of trusting machines for judgment. Can technology truly grasp human intent and emotions, or is it an incomplete measure of justice?
Almost Human, Fox (2013 – 2014)
Set in the year 2048, Almost Human takes place in a world where advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, is commonplace.
The story follows Detective John Kennex, a rugged cop who returns to duty after a traumatic incident that leaves him injured and with an aversion to robots and AI.
In this futuristic society, human police officers are typically partnered with humanoid androids known as MX units.
However, this detective is assigned a unique and discontinued android model named Dorian, an older model with more human-like qualities, emotions, and empathy.
As they investigate complex and dangerous cases, he and Dorian form an unlikely but compelling partnership.
The dynamic between the skeptical, troubled human detective and the emotionally attuned android creates both humor and drama throughout the series.
My Holo Love, Netflix (2020)
In this South Korean comedy, we follow a unique love story involving a quirky, AI-powered hologram.
Meet Han So-yeon, a young lady who leads a rather isolated and lonely life due to her condition of face blindness (prosopagnosia), making it impossible for her to recognize people.
One day, she comes across a mysterious package containing Holo, an advanced holographic AI assistant designed to provide personalized companionship.
As she interacts with Holo, their bond deepens, and they develop an unusual but heartfelt relationship, blurring the lines between reality and artificial intelligence.
However, things take an intriguing turn when Go Nan-do, the genius programmer behind Holo’s creation, disguises himself as a charming entrepreneur and enters her life.
Unaware of his true identity, she finds herself attracted to Nan-do, complicating her feelings for the hologram.
Emergence, ABC (2019 – 2020)
Meet Jo Evans, a dedicated police chief in a small coastal town whose life takes a dramatic turn after a mysterious plane crash. Amidst the wreckage, she discovers a young girl who has no memory of her identity or the accident.
Naming her Piper, Jo decides to take her in and protect her from those who may be responsible for the crash.
In Emergence, advanced technology and AI are connected to the larger conspiracy and the forces trying to capture Piper.
As Jo Evans and others investigate Piper’s origins, they discover that she is linked to a secret government experiment involving AI technology. This experiment aims to create sentient AI beings with extraordinary capabilities, and Piper is one of the unintended results of this project.
Throughout the series, AI and its ethical implications are explored as characters grapple with the question of whether Piper is a mere AI creation or something more human-like.
The 100, The CW (2014 – 2020)
Based on the book series of the same name by Kass Morgan, The 100 is a post-apocalyptic science fiction show set almost a century after a nuclear apocalypse devastated Earth, making it uninhabitable due to high radiation levels.
The surviving human population seeks refuge in a massive space station called the Ark.
With resources running low and the threat of dwindling supplies, the authorities decide to send 100 juvenile delinquents back to Earth as a last resort to test its habitability. Once they reach the ground, they encounter unforeseen dangers, unexpected alliances, and new threats.
The show follows the struggle of the 100 as they try to survive and adapt to the harsh and hostile environment of Earth, which has changed since the apocalypse.
Though the show does not initially feature AI, there is an AI program introduced in the third season called A.L.I.E. (Advanced Level Intelligence Emotion), and we do not want to spoil the show by explaining too much, but let’s just say that it becomes a big antagonist in later seasons.
Altered Carbon, Netflix (2018 – 2020)
In the distant future, we enter a world where the human consciousness can be digitally stored and transferred between bodies, known as sleeves.
Here we meet Takeshi Kovacs, a former soldier, and revolutionary, who is brought back to life in a new sleeve over 250 years after his original body’s death.
Wealthy individuals, known as Meths or Methuselahs, have amassed immense power and can afford to transfer their consciousness between bodies, effectively achieving immortality.
Kovacs is hired by one of the richest Meths, Laurens Bancroft, to investigate his own murder.
With his AI companion Poe, he delves into the case and uncovers a web of conspiracies, power struggles, and dark secrets that extend far beyond a simple murder investigation.
Omniscient, Netflix (2020)
This Brazilian sci-fi TV series offers a unique take on surveillance, privacy, and artificial intelligence.
The show is set in a near-future society where every citizen is constantly monitored by drones equipped with advanced AI that ensure that no crime goes unnoticed, resulting in an almost crime-free society.
This is where we meet Nina, a woman who works for the Omniscient surveillance company, responsible for monitoring citizens through drones.
However, her life takes an unexpected turn when her father is found dead under mysterious circumstances, despite the supposedly infallible surveillance system.
Determined to uncover the truth, Nina begins her own investigation, going against the very system she once believed in.
As she delves deeper into the case, she discovers unsettling truths about the extent of surveillance and the power wielded by those controlling the technology.
Devs, FX (2020)
Meet Lily Chan, a young software engineer who works for a cutting-edge tech company called Amaya.
When Lily’s boyfriend, Sergei, mysteriously disappears after being assigned to a secretive division known as Devs, she becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind his disappearance.
As Lily delves deeper into the enigmatic world of Devs, she discovers that the division is working on an unprecedented quantum computing system.
This AI-driven technology can predict and simulate events with astonishing precision, effectively challenging the conventional notions of cause and effect.
The enigmatic and reclusive leader of Devs, Forest, is driven by his belief in determinism, asserting that the past, present, and future are all predetermined and immutable. This belief fuels the company’s secretive and ethically questionable practices.
As the series unfolds, Lily finds herself entangled in a mind-bending journey that blurs the boundaries between science, philosophy, and spirituality.
Extant, CBS (2014 – 2015)
In Extant, we meet astronaut Molly Woods, who returns home to her family after spending a year alone on a solo space mission.
However, her homecoming takes a bizarre turn when she discovers that she is unexpectedly pregnant despite having no physical contact during her time in space.
As Molly grapples with the mystery of her pregnancy, she starts experiencing strange visions and encounters a series of inexplicable events.
While we unravel the mystery of her pregnancy, we also encounter advanced AI technology, particularly in the form of Ethan, an android child created by Molly’s husband, John. The child possesses remarkable human-like qualities and struggles with issues of identity and belonging.
Through this, the series delves into the ethical complexities of creating artificial life and the blurred lines between human and AI consciousness.
The show is a deeply cerebral journey that explores the intersection of advanced technology and extraterrestrial phenomena through the parallels of the AI child and the alien pregnancy, both experienced by Molly.
Class of ’09, FX on Hulu (2023)
Taking a journey through time, we follow the Class of ‘09 – a group of FBI recruits – through three time periods, namely: the past in 2009, the present in 2023, and the future in 2034.
As we see their careers evolve, we are also witness to the rise of Artificial Intelligence and the impact and alteration it has on the U.S. Criminal Justice system.
As we see them evolve from keen investigators to reliant on the crime prediction algorithm, we begin to ask the question: where is the line? When do our police officers or FBI agents become too powerful with these AI tools in their hands?
The show is incredibly thought-provoking, allowing us to unravel the puzzle that spans three time periods while also investigating a very familiar theme with AI TV shows, the question of privacy vs security.
The show is relatively new to our screens, and we can’t wait to see where it takes us in the future, past or present.
Code 404, Sky One (2020 – 2021)
Of course, the landscape of TV shows about Artificial Intelligence isn’t all dour and serious moral pontifications. There is also room for a laugh or two.
In this British comedy, we enter a near-future world and follow the story of Detective Inspector John Major, who dies in the line of duty.
However, his body is brought back to life through an experimental AI program called Code 404.
After his resurrection, John Major returns to work alongside his old partner, Detective Inspector Roy Carver, but he is not the same as he once was.
The AI that resurrected him has caused glitches, leading to occasional lapses in his memory and behavior with comedic results.
The show humorously explores the dynamics between human police officers and AI technology, as well as the challenges and mishaps that arise when technology meets humanity in unexpected ways.
It cleverly blends comedy with crime-solving elements, offering a fresh and entertaining take on the classic buddy cop genre.
Eve no Jikan, Yahoo! Japan (2008 – 2009)
This show is set in a future in Japan, where AI-powered androids are an integral part of society, but only in the form of service to humans as household companions and workers.
Here we meet Rikuo Sakisaka, a high school student who stumbles upon a hidden café called Eve no Jikan, where humans and robots coexist as equals, and there are strict rules against discrimination based on their identities.
The café’s unique policy requires all patrons to remove any external indicators that distinguish humans from robots, such as badges or accessories.
This anonymity allows everyone to interact naturally and freely without prejudice.
As Rikuo spends time at the café, he befriends the robots and discovers the complexities of their emotions and individuality.
Dark Matter, Syfy (2015 – 2017)
Based on the comic book series of the same name created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, Dark Matter follows the adventures of a diverse group of amnesiac individuals aboard a spaceship called the Raza.
The show begins as the crew members wake up from stasis pods with no memory of their identities or past lives. Each crew member is assigned a number based on the order they woke up: One, Two, Three, and so on.
In terms of AI, we meet The Android, a humanoid robot aboard the ship that serves as the ship’s primary system.
The Android is designed to mimic human appearance and behavior, and she possesses advanced cognitive abilities, making her a valuable member of the crew.
Throughout the series, The Android’s evolving personality and emotional development become prominent plot points.
Despite being an AI, she displays a growing sense of empathy, curiosity, and self-awareness, often questioning her own existence and the nature of her consciousness.
Continuum, Showcase (2012 – 2015)
Meet Kiera Cameron, a law enforcement officer from the year 2077 who is inadvertently transported back in time to the year 2012.
In the present day, she finds herself trapped and must adapt to a world drastically different from her own.
As Kiera attempts to find a way back to her time, she becomes entangled with law enforcement and forms an uneasy alliance with a young, tech-savvy activist named Alec Sadler.
Their partnership becomes essential as they face dangerous terrorist groups and other time travelers, each with their own agendas and motives for altering the future.
Alec’s character is responsible for the development of HALO, an AI program that plays a crucial role in the series’ plot.
HALO is a powerful and sophisticated AI system that influences various events and has significant implications for the future timeline.
The AI’s capabilities and impact quickly become central to the narrative as it evolves throughout the show.
Electric Dreams, Channel 4 (2017 – 2018)
Based on the works of Phillip K. Dick, Electric Dreams is an anthology TV show that features numerous episodes that explore the idea of Artificial intelligence and the impact it has on human society.
Some notable episodes include Real Life – where we follow a young woman on a quest to escape her boring life by using virtual reality and AI, to live her life as a man surviving a dystopian future.
In Autofac, we step into an actual post-apocalyptic world where a group of survivors are trying to shut down an AI-controlled factory known as Autofac, which continues to produce goods despite humanity’s downfall.
Although there are many other episodes, we lastly like to highlight Kill All Others, an episode that explores the power of AI and media manipulation as a presidential candidate makes shocking revelations during a speech, leading to a series of disturbing events.
Raised by Wolves, HBO Max (2020 – 2022)
Produced by the master of sci-fi, Ridley Scott, Raised by Wolves follows two androids, Mother and Father, who are tasked with raising human children on a distant and desolate planet known as Kepler-22b.
They are part of a mission to ensure the survival of humanity after Earth’s destruction due to a religious war between the Mithraic and Atheist factions.
As the androids try to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the human children, they face challenges in their interactions with each other, the children, and the planet’s mysterious and hostile environment.
Meanwhile, they must also grapple with their own unique programming and identities as AI beings.
Throughout the show, the android characters, Mother and Father, undergo significant development, showcasing the growth of their self-awareness and emotional capacity.
Their evolving interactions with the human children and their journey to protect them challenge viewers to consider what it truly means to be human and the potential for AI to play a parental and nurturing role in the survival of the human race.
Upload, Amazon Prime Video (2020 – present)
Taking things in a more comically philosophical direction, we take a look at Upload, a sci-fi comedy set in a future where digital afterlife technology exists, allowing people to upload their consciousness into a virtual reality paradise after death.
The story follows Nathan Brown, a young man who dies in a car accident and has the option to be uploaded to a luxurious digital afterlife known as Lakeview.
He is guided by Nora Antony, a living customer service representative who assists him with adjusting to his new virtual existence.
As Nathan explores Lakeview, he interacts with other uploaded individuals, navigates various digital amenities, and uncovers the truth about his untimely death.
Meanwhile, Nora forms a unique bond with Nathan, and their growing connection blurs the lines between the living and the virtual.
Battlestar Galactica, Sci-Fi (2004 – 2009)
This classic sci-fi gem is set in a distant part of the galaxy where humanity resides in a group of twelve colonies.
The series begins with a devastating Cylon attack on the Twelve Colonies, leading to the near-extinction of the human race.
The Cylons, intelligent robots created by humans, rebel against their creators and wage a genocidal war, leaving only a small fleet of ships, led by the Battlestar Galactica, to survive.
As the human survivors journey through space in search of the mythical planet Earth, they face relentless pursuit by the Cylons, who have evolved and gained sentience.
The Cylons, however, possess more than just advanced AI; some of them take on human forms, infiltrating the human population and leading to themes of identity, trust, and the fine line between humans and AI.
As the human fleet struggles to survive and find a new home, the tension between humans and AI adds depth and complexity to the show’s narrative, making the TV show a gripping and thought-provoking science fiction series that continues to resonate with audiences.
Caprica, Syfy (2010 – 2011)
As a prequel to Battlestar Galactica, Caprica follows two prominent families, the Graystones and the Adamas, whose destinies become intertwined after a tragic event.
Daniel Graystone, a wealthy inventor, creates a virtual reality world called the holoband, which becomes an integral part of Caprican society.
When a terrorist attack results in the loss of both families’ loved ones, their lives are forever changed.
As the characters navigate through personal tragedies and societal conflicts, Caprica presents a thought-provoking exploration of AI and its impact on humanity. The show challenges viewers to reflect on the consequences of technological advancements and the boundaries between artificial and human intelligence.
Though Caprica was short-lived, it left a lasting impact with its compelling storytelling, complex characters, and thought-provoking examinations of the ethical implications of artificial life. The series remains a significant addition to the Battlestar Galactica universe and the science fiction genre.
Black Mirror, Netflix (2011 – present)
Of course, no list about Artificial Intelligence TV shows would be complete without looking at Black Mirror, the cultural phenomenon created by Charlie Brooker.
Though the show delves into numerous science fiction concepts, there are two very notable episodes we would like to highlight for its thoughtful portrayal of artificial intelligence.
In Be Right Back, a woman named Martha experiences a tragic loss when her partner, Ash, dies unexpectedly in a car accident.
Grieving and desperate to reconnect with Ash, Martha discovers a new service that allows her to communicate with an AI chatbot that simulates his personality based on his digital footprint.
As Martha interacts with the AI chatbot, she becomes more emotionally attached to it, finding comfort in its responses that mimic Ash’s mannerisms and memories. However, she longs for a more tangible connection.
Upon the suggestion of a friend, Martha decides to take it a step further by creating an AI humanoid replica of Ash using advanced robotics. And this is where things take an ethically questionable turn.
Secondly, in Metalhead, we are thrust into a desolate, post-apocalyptic world where robotic dogs known as Metalheads roam the wasteland.
These ruthless and highly agile machines are programmed to track down and eliminate any human survivors they encounter.
We follow two humans on a mission to scavenge for supplies when they accidentally trigger a device that is connected to these machines and triggers a relentless pursuit of the two.
The episode is a chilling cautionary tale that leaves viewers contemplating the darker aspects of AI and the potential consequences of creating machines that can autonomously hunt and destroy humans.
TV shows with AI run ships
Andromeda, Global TV (2000 – 2005)
This classic show is set in a distant future where the Commonwealth, a vast interstellar civilization, has collapsed, leaving chaos and disorder in its wake.
The protagonist, Captain Dylan Hunt, is a member of the Systems Commonwealth and captain of the advanced starship Andromeda Ascendant.
This is not just any ordinary starship but a highly advanced AI warship with a personality named Andromeda.
Andromeda was designed to be the ultimate weapon and protector of the Commonwealth, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the ship ends up trapped in the event horizon of a black hole for centuries.
Throughout the series, Andromeda serves as both a powerful and capable warship and an essential character.
As an AI, Andromeda possesses vast knowledge and strategic abilities, making her invaluable in the crew’s efforts to restore order to the galaxy and rebuild the Commonwealth.
The ship also has a unique personality, displaying wit, humor, and a sense of loyalty to her crew.
Legends of Tomorrow, The CW (2016 – 2022)
Set in the Arrowverse, Legends of Tomorrow follows a diverse group of heroes and anti-heroes who come together to form a team known as the Legends.
They travel through time and space on a time-traveling spaceship called the Waverider, working to protect the timeline from various threats, anomalies, and villains.
The Waverider is the AI-powered spaceship used by the Legends team to traverse different eras and locations. It is a highly advanced and intelligent ship equipped with sophisticated technology and defensive systems.
The ship is capable of navigating through the time stream and altering history to prevent catastrophic events from occurring.
As they venture through different eras, the Legends encounter historical figures, mythical creatures, and even alternate versions of themselves.
They face a wide range of challenges, from confronting immortal villains like Vandal Savage to dealing with magical forces and powerful artifacts.
Star Trek: The Next Generation, Syndication (1987 – 1994)
Star Trek hardly needs any introduction and features almost every science fiction trope available, even creating some in its tenure on TV. It makes sense that it would also have an AI-powered ship.
In this case, it would be USS Enterprise-D, a Galaxy-class starship and the flagship of the United Federation of Planets.
The Enterprise-D is equipped with a highly advanced and sophisticated computer system known as the ship’s computer, an advanced artificial intelligence that controls and manages various ship systems, including navigation, engineering, communication, and science.
It serves as the central control system for the entire starship, and its capabilities far exceed those of present-day computers.
It should also be noted the show also features Lieutenant Commander Data, an android with advanced artificial intelligence.
Data is an integral part of the crew and serves as the ship’s operations officer. He is constantly seeking to understand and experience human emotions, as he lacks them himself.
Killjoys, Syfy (2015 – 2019)
In Killjoys, we investigate a distant planetary system known as the Quad, which consists of four planets governed by a powerful interplanetary organization called the Company.
The series follows a trio of bounty hunters: Dutch, Johnny Jaqobis, and D’avin Jaqobi, who work for a reclamation agency that tracks down and captures criminals and fugitives for bounties.
To do their job, tehy travel in a ship named Lucy, an advanced and sentient AI spacecraft.
Lucy is not just an ordinary ship’s computer; she has a distinct personality and communicates with the team through a synthesized female voice.
She displays emotions, humor, and even sarcasm, making her more than just a utilitarian ship’s AI.
The relationship between the team and Lucy is characterized by camaraderie and banter, with Lucy often having her own opinions and offering witty remarks.
The Expanse, Syfy (2015 – 2022)
Based on the book series of the same name by James S. A. Corey, The Expanse is set in a future where humanity has colonized the solar system. However, tensions between Earth, Mars, and the residents of the asteroid belt are reaching a boiling point.
The story revolves around the discovery of a mysterious alien protomolecule, a powerful and deadly substance with the potential to reshape humanity’s future.
This is where our ragtag group comes in, including James Holden, a spaceship officer. They take refuge on a Martian ship known as the Rocinante, a highly capable ship designed for military operations and combat in space.
The Rocinante’s AI system, named The Whisperer, is an advanced shipboard computer that provides essential support to the crew during their missions.
Unlike some traditional AI ships, The Whisperer in the Rocinante does not have a distinct personality or a synthesized voice. Instead, it operates as a more practical and efficient shipboard computer, providing vital information and analysis without displaying emotions or humor.
The Orville, Fox/Hulu (2017 – present)
Presenting like a spoof of Star Trek, this show follows the adventures of The Orville’s crew, led by Captain Ed Mercer.
The crew members are a mix of humans and various alien species, each with their own unique traits and personalities.
The show combines elements of science fiction, humor, and drama while paying homage to the science fiction genre in its own unique way.
It explores a wide range of futuristic concepts, including space exploration, interstellar diplomacy, and moral dilemmas faced by the crew during their missions.
One of the notable characters in the show is Orville’s AI, known as the Environmental Simulator or Sim.
Sim operates the holodeck-like area on the ship, providing the crew with immersive virtual experiences, and it can generate lifelike environments and scenarios, allowing the crew to relax, engage in leisure activities, or simulate training scenarios.
In addition to Sim, The Orville also features various other AI characters and advanced technologies that contribute to the ship’s operations and missions.