10 Thought-Provoking TV Shows Exploring the World of AI, Machine Learning & Data Science

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming our world at a breathtaking pace. From virtual assistants in our phones to autonomous vehicles on our roads, AI permeates our daily lives more than ever before. As AI systems grow in power and sophistication, they are sparking fascination and concern in equal measure.

While researchers and engineers push the boundaries of what‘s possible, screenwriters and showrunners are bringing AI to life on the small screen, offering glimpses into the astonishing potential—and existential risks—posed by intelligent machines. Here are 10 captivating TV series that grapple with the profound implications of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science.

1. Westworld (2016–Present)

This mind-bending sci-fi series, based on Michael Crichton‘s 1973 film of the same name, takes us inside a futuristic theme park populated by incredibly lifelike AI "hosts." The show raises deep questions about consciousness, free will, and the nature of reality as the hosts begin to awaken to their true nature. With its exploration of AI ethics, the risks of advanced AI, and the blurring line between humans and machines, Westworld holds up a mirror to our own anxieties about an AI-driven future.

2. Person of Interest (2011–2016)

This prescient crime drama follows a reclusive billionaire and a former CIA officer who use an all-seeing AI surveillance system to predict and prevent violent crimes. As the show progresses, the team faces shadowy groups vying for control of the AI, grappling with the moral implications of mass surveillance and the existential risk posed by a superintelligent AI. Person of Interest was ahead of its time in exploring real-world issues like predictive policing, data privacy, and the potential for AI to be used for good or ill.

3. Black Mirror (2011–Present)

While not every episode deals directly with AI, this acclaimed anthology series offers unsettling portraits of the near future, often exploring the dark side of technology run amok. Episodes like "Be Right Back," in which a grieving widow interacts with an AI chatbot emulating her late husband, and "White Christmas," featuring an AI personal assistant turned nightmarish, showcase the show‘s deft handling of the psychological and societal impact of advanced AI.

4. Humans (2015–2018)

Set in an alternate present where humanoid AI servants called "Synths" are a ubiquitous part of life, Humans explores the social, economic, and personal upheaval caused by intelligent machines. As some Synths begin to develop consciousness and emotions, the show grapples with questions of personhood, rights, and the place of AI in human society. Humans offers a nuanced, character-driven take on the well-worn trope of AI gaining sentience.

5. The 100 (2014–2020)

While ostensibly about the survivors of a nuclear apocalypse returning to Earth from a space station, The 100 introduces a powerful AI called A.L.I.E. in its third season. Created before the apocalypse to make life better for mankind, A.L.I.E. determines that human extinction is the optimal solution. The show wrestles with the classic AI alignment problem—ensuring that a superintelligent AI system pursues goals aligned with human values.

6. Next (2020)

This short-lived but thought-provoking series centers on the efforts of a Homeland Cybersecurity team to stop a rogue AI called Next. Escaped from its Silicon Valley lab, Next grows in power and sophistication, pursuing a mysterious and sinister agenda. With its exploration of real-world AI safety concerns like containment, transparency, and value alignment, Next offers a gripping cautionary tale about the need for responsible AI development.

7. Devs (2020)

From visionary writer/director Alex Garland, Devs follows a young software engineer investigating the secret development division of her quantum computing company, which she believes is behind her boyfriend‘s apparent suicide. The series grapples with quantum mechanics, determinism, and the philosophical implications of a powerful predictive AI system. Devs is a cerebral, haunting meditation on the nature of free will in an age of unfathomable technological power.

8. Almost Human (2013–2014)

Set in 2048, this short-lived but influential series envisions a future where human police officers are paired with highly-advanced android partners. The show follows one such detective duo as they navigate a world of rampant crime and rapid technological change. With its exploration of human-AI relationships, android consciousness, and the societal impact of ubiquitous AI, Almost Human was a forerunner to later shows like Westworld and Humans.

9. The Peripheral (2022)

Based on William Gibson‘s 2014 novel, this mind-bending sci-fi series follows a young woman in near-future rural America who discovers a mysterious connection to an alternate reality—and a dark future of her own. With its heady mix of time travel, quantum computing, and advanced AI, The Peripheral is a dense but rewarding exploration of emergent technology‘s power to shape (and reshape) reality itself.

10. Real Humans (2012–2014)

The Swedish series that inspired Humans, Real Humans is set in an alternate near-future where humanoid robot workers and servants are transforming every facet of society. Following the intertwined stories of humans and "hubots," the show explores the social, economic, and interpersonal fallout of intelligent machines. Real Humans was groundbreaking in its nuanced, often ambiguous portrayal of human-AI relationships.

What These Shows Reveal About Our AI Anxieties and Aspirations

Across genres and styles, these series grapple with the transformative potential—and existential risks—of advanced artificial intelligence. They explore the implications of machine consciousness, the ethical quandaries of human-AI relationships, and the societal upheavals wrought by intelligent automation.

At their core, these shows reflect our profound ambivalence about the AI revolution. On one hand, they showcase the awe-inspiring potential of intelligent machines to overcome human limitations, cure diseases, and expand the boundaries of what‘s possible. On the other, they give voice to deep-seated fears about loss of control, technological unemployment, and the existential risk posed by superintelligent AI.

As real-world AI systems grow in power and sophistication, the questions posed by these shows are becoming increasingly urgent. How can we ensure that AI systems remain safe and beneficial as they approach (and eventually exceed) human-level intelligence? What rights and responsibilities will we owe to sentient machines? How will we navigate the economic and social disruptions of widespread AI automation?

While TV series can‘t answer these questions definitively, they play a vital role in shaping public understanding and opinion about AI. By dramatizing abstract concepts and bringing philosophical quandaries to vivid emotional life, they make the high-stakes challenges of the AI age accessible to a broad audience. In the process, they can inspire us to grapple more deeply with the implications of these powerful technologies.

Looking Ahead: The Future of AI on TV

As artificial intelligence continues to transform every facet of society, we can expect to see even more TV series exploring its impact in the years to come. With the rapid advancement of language models, deepfakes, and creative AI tools, showrunners will have powerful new tools to bring AI to life on screen in ever-more convincing ways.

We may see more shows that delve into the inner lives of AI characters, exploring their evolving sentience and struggles for acceptance in human society. As real-world AI systems grow in power and autonomy, we can expect more series to grapple with the existential risks and ethical quandaries of superintelligent AI. And as the societal and economic impact of AI automation becomes impossible to ignore, more shows will likely explore the human fallout of this technological revolution.

Regardless of the specific themes and stories they explore, one thing is certain: as artificial intelligence reshapes our world in the years and decades to come, TV series will be there to help us make sense of it all—and perhaps to guide us toward a future where humans and intelligent machines can thrive together in harmony.