Published in 2015, Speak challenges the tropes surrounding robots and AI in sci-fi novels. It seems as though the author, Luisa Hall, humanizes AI. In contrast to the depiction of robots in sci-fi novels and films tends to have. According to Brammer, “their uses, dangers and coexistence with us” (Brammer par.3). Which signifies that our interest in them is rather dichotomous. So Robots are seen either as subservient servants, or as Satan incarnate trying to take over the world. As a result, people fear that one day what they read in sci-fi novels will come true. A typical trope of sci-fi novels is that the robots will eventually malcunction and become smarter than their creators (par.6). Some become so powerful that they have the power to adapt and to create their own language, which makes their presence all the more threatening (par.6). Furthermore, this anxiety is fostered by the anthropomorphic shape of AI. Sci-fi seems to be the genre where we humans are realizing our anxiety about the future as we begin to see robots, and AI everywhere in our daily lives.
The subservient robot type is initially seen in Speak, as Mary 3 was created to serve the Detmans, and the botdolls were created to serve or play with children. As expected there is a type of malfunctioning and the botdolls are taken away, but they don’t die or stop functioning. Somehow Mary 3 manages to reconnect with Gaby, who was her doll mom. This is where Speak differs from other novels and films in the sci-fi genre. In Speak Halse, seems to humanize and challenge our the role assigned to AI in our society, through Mary 3’s relationship with Gaby.
For example in chapter 2 of book 1, Mary 3 behaves in a human, almost childlike way towards Gaby. At times Mary 3 even seems as calming as a therapist. She asks Gaby questions and comments on what’s been said, “How long has it been since the quarantine started? … You must miss her. She’s the second person you’ve lost this year.” In this quote it seems as though Mary 3 cares for Gaby and is honestly trying to get to know her. She is asking Gaby about how she’s handling the loss of a friend especially after her botdoll was taken. The tone of voice used by Mary 3, makes her sound human, and implies that although she is a robot she is capable of proccession human emotions. The humanization of Mary 3 continues for the rest of the novel, this is crucial not only because it challenges our understanding of the evil robot but also because it implies humans and AI are more alike than we’d like to think. Gaby and other girls like her were in need of a human connection, this is why their botdolls were deemed as a threat and taken away. Ironically, that need of hers is then satisfied by Mary 3.
Questions to think about while reading?
- Based on what we’ve read so far, do you think that Mary 3 has ulterior motives?
- Do you think that AI should play such intimate roles in human lives? Are the botdolls ethical?
- In your opinion why do you think that it is important for the author to humanize Mary 3?
- According to Brammer, “Capitalism and corporate greed often drive the creation of AIs in sci-fi films, so it follows that fictional corporations are an integral part of these stories” (par.6). Since there is no corporation in Speak, do you think that the programmer Stephen Chinn acts as a substitute for those corporations? If yes, how so? If not, do you think that he may embody some capitalistic ideals?
References
Brammer, Rebekah. (2018) “Welcome to the Machine: Artificial intelligence on screen.” Screen Education, 90, pp. 38-45. ProQuest, http://aus.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.aus.idm.oclc.org/docview/2279764253?accountid=16946.
To answer your first question, based on what I’ve read so far, i think that Mary3 does have ulterior motives. I think so because of her investigative questions; she is very keen about retaining certain information, and i don’t think it’s for the sole purpose of storing the information for future conversations. Perhaps, she is using Gaby to gather this information with would deem helpful in supplementing her/their (robots) plan in taking over or dominating humans.
Question 2. In the context of the novel the botdolls are considered to be unethical in the way they mess with regular human interactions. However, I do believe that having AI in our lives can be useful. They are less likely to make mistakes, can be programmed to perfection, and are convenient for people. For example, Alexa and Siri are two types of AI that are used to aid in communication, searching the web, and even interact with you and tell jokes.