Disconnection, deactivation, death: analysis of insubordination by anthropomorphic technology

Science fiction narratives frequently hinge on the use of technological advances in an alternative reality; with this projection of narrative onto hypothetical alternative spaces, the ways that humanity interacts with itself and others are similarly prognosticated. Drawing heavily from the ethical propositions of Robert Sparrow, this analysis focuses on the position of the artificial body and mind within the hierarchy of subservience, discussing the ways in which the conceptualization and enactment of a human-centric morality is portrayed in science fiction films which feature anthropomorphic artificial intelligences. This paper discusses science fiction films in which some passable degree of humanity is coded into anthropomorphic artificially intelligent beings, and in which the insubordination of those beings leads to a rescinding of the humanity previously granted to them - resulting in their deactivation, destruction or death. This point is supported by examples of insubordinate being deactivations (2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner) as well as examples of the worst-case scenario: the artificial surpassing and becoming a viable replacement for parts of humanity (the fembots for human wives in Stepford Wives, and Ava for Caleb in Ex Machina).