Actress Rashida Jones has voiced her apprehension regarding the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in a recent interview. Jones, known for her role in the TV series “Sunny,” expressed her belief that AI has become an undeniable reality and that society must come to terms with its implications. She emphasized the need for collective ethical guidelines to govern the use of AI, given its potential for misuse and the loss of control over its development.
In “Sunny,” Jones portrays Suzie, an expat in Japan who receives a companion robot named Sunny as a condolence gift after her husband and son go missing in a plane crash. As Suzie delves into the mystery surrounding her husband’s true identity, she uncovers the potential dangers associated with the code used to create robots like Sunny. The series, adapted from Colin O’Sullivan’s novel “The Dark Manual” by Katie Robbins, serves as both an optimistic exploration of human connection and a cautionary tale about the misuse of AI.
Robbins, the series’ adapter, highlights the beauty of AI in helping individuals who struggle with interpersonal connections. However, she also acknowledges the significant risks posed by AI’s human-made nature, which opens the door to potential abuse. The speed at which AI has developed in reality surprised Robbins during the show’s production, with the emergence of ChatGPT serving as a notable example. This rapid progress has raised concerns among writers, like Robbins, about the capabilities of generative AI.
During the filming of “Sunny,” Jones interacted with a less-sophisticated version of the robot, with actress Joanna Sotomura providing the voice and facial expressions for Sunny. This experience provided Jones with some relief, as it highlighted the current limitations of AI integration into daily life. However, she humorously expressed her desire for a robot that could assist with household chores.