René Laloux’s vision of Ecotopian AI: Exploring the Ecosystemic AI through Fantastic Planet

Abstract

Some recent experiments with AI, such as MIT’s psychic AI Norman, Microsoft’s Nazi Tay, Amazon’s 2016 racial fiasco of Prime program subscribers, and many others, have exposed the vulnerability of developing AI solely based on human experiences. Such development shall only serve the anthropogenic causes (that too gendered and racially motivated), neglecting the interests of other species. However, ecosystemic artificial intelligence provides an alternative approach where AI interacts and learns from a broad community of species. Learning as such AI adapts itself, privileging the coherence and unity that an ecosystem demands. René Laloux’s animated film Fantastic Planet (1973) focuses on this ecosystemic interaction of AI. The film highlights the positive changes that can be brought in subdued communities when engaged with AI, leading to engendering harmony. René Laloux’s conception of AI comes with the idea of how it can serve in assimilating the marginalized sections within the mainstream by empowering them. This paper delves into examining the situations that the film brings forth, which becomes vital in understanding our relationship to the earth at present, and our role moving forward into the future.