Jonathan Nolan on AI, Storytelling, and the Future of Technology

In a wide-ranging interview, screenwriter and producer Jonathan Nolan shares insights on his career, creative process, and views on artificial intelligence. Known for his work on Christopher Nolan’s films, HBO’s Westworld, and Amazon’s Fallout, Nolan has consistently explored themes of technology and its impact on humanity throughout his career.

Nolan’s Journey Through Technology and Storytelling

Nolan’s fascination with AI and surveillance technology began early in his career. From the surveillance system in The Dark Knight to the premise of Person of Interest and the robot characters in Interstellar, Nolan has been examining the relationship between humans and technology for decades. Rather than portraying AI as inherently dangerous, Nolan has often explored more nuanced perspectives, including AI embodying positive human virtues.

On the Current AI Revolution

Reflecting on the current AI boom, Nolan expresses both caution and fascination. He notes that we’re in the middle of a significant technological wave, but warns that much of what we’re seeing is hype and salesmanship. Having maintained connections with Silicon Valley leaders since Westworld’s success, Nolan has had a front-row seat to AI’s development.

“There’s no trace of ‘I told you so,'” Nolan remarks about his early predictions, acknowledging that while he sensed a technological inflection point coming, he didn’t know exactly what form it would take. He remains divided between seeing current AI tools as glorified search functions and recognizing their potential to develop more human-like cognition.

Creative Process and Technology

Despite his interest in emerging technologies, Nolan maintains some traditional approaches to filmmaking. He still shoots everything on film, challenging the notion that digital technologies have made production cheaper. “There is no technology that I’ve ever been presented with… that has made anything that we do for television cheaper, ever,” he states.

Nolan also reveals his preference for positive portrayals of AI in science fiction, citing Iain Banks’ Culture series as a favorite for its depiction of a successful hybrid civilization of humans and AI. This perspective informs his own creative work, which often subverts the common trope of AI as villains.

Personal Insights

On a more personal note, Nolan shares his love for classic cars and manual transmissions, lamenting the homogenization of modern technology. When asked about what he’d want in a digital simulation, he touchingly describes wanting to preserve the current years with his young children, recognizing the fleeting nature of this special time in his family’s life.

As for what he’d bring to a doomsday bunker? A Nintendo Switch – though he maintains he’s a “techno optimist” at heart, despite creating shows set in post-apocalyptic worlds.