Machine rule

See also: AI takeover and Artificial intelligence in fiction

The concept of machine rule is a common theme in science fiction stories and film, in which an artificially created lifeform takes over the naturally evolved beings that created them.

In cases where this takeover is hostile, it may be called a cybernetic revolt. On the other hand, it may occur peacefully; humans may decide that machines, such as androids, robots or sentient computers, would provide a better lifestyle for humanity. As a theme, it may reflect a fear of the autonomy of a machine that can run itself, eventually rendering its creators obsolete, or a fear of one's creations running out of control, becoming the new masters (see cybernetic revolt for a more in-depth discussion).

See also

• Dune (franchise)
• Grey goo
• Reapers (Mass Effect)
• Terminator (franchise)
• Colossus: The Forbin Project
• The Culture
• The Matrix (franchise)
• All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace (TV series)
• Robot series (Asimov) (especially Multivac/. . . That Thou Art Mindful of Him)
• Deus Ex, as the player has the option to merge with an AI to rule humanity as a benevolent dictator

References

• Chute, John (1995) Science Fiction: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc. ISBN 0-7894-0185-1
• Hawking: re-engineer humans or risk machine rule - Stephen Hawking, CNN.com, 05 September 2001