Oscar-nominated filmmaker Steve James, known for his work on Hoop Dreams, is set to direct Mind vs. Machine, a new docuseries exploring the controversial topic of artificial intelligence. The project is a collaboration between Oscar winner Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions, Closer Media, Anonymous Content, and Emmy-winning producers Alyssa Fedele & Zachary Fink of Collective Hunch (The Rescue List, The Ride of Their Lives).
Gibney, who previously worked with Closer Media and Anonymous Content on the upcoming documentary Musk, will be involved in this production. The series will delve into the evolution of AI over the past 70 years, showcasing the perspectives of leading inventors and scientists such as Geoffrey Hinton, Yann LeCun, Ray Kurzweil, Deborah Raji, and Meghan O’Gieblyn. Through a mix of interviews, archival footage, dramatic reenactments, AI visualizations, and special effects, Mind vs. Machine aims to provide a comprehensive look at the development and implications of artificial intelligence.
The team behind the docuseries has secured the rights to essential books on the subject, including Cade Metz’s Genius Makers and Meghan O’Gieblyn’s God, Human, Animal, Machine. Additionally, the show will feature excerpts from the writings of Ted Kaczynski, obtained from the University of Michigan Library, to explore diverse perspectives on AI’s future impact.
Steve James expressed his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issues surrounding AI. Alex Gibney echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of presenting the story in a visually innovative and engaging manner. The series is poised to offer a unique narrative on AI, focusing on key figures in the field and the implications of advancing technology.
The executive producers of Mind vs. Machine include Zhang Xin, William Horberg, Joey Marra from Closer Media, as well as Nick Shumaker, Jessica Grimshaw, and David Levine from Anonymous Content. The distribution rights are being handled by UTA, representing Gibney and Jigsaw.
Steve James, based in Chicago, has an impressive portfolio of documentaries, including Abacus: Small Enough to Jail, Stevie, and The Interrupters. Alex Gibney, a renowned filmmaker, has a track record that includes Taxi to the Dark Side, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, and Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief.
Both filmmakers are excited to embark on this ambitious project that aims to shed light on the past, present, and future of artificial intelligence through a compelling and thought-provoking narrative.
