Why Doctor Who’s latest robot threat is a dangerous AI: ‘this is what’s happening’

The new season of Doctor Who introduces an army of killer machines from another planet, highlighting the dangers of artificial intelligence.
The show’s creator, Russell T. Davies, believes that AI-powered robots like these are a threat to humanity and should be tackled by the Doctor.
Davies sees Doctor Who as a platform for commenting on current issues, including the increasing prevalence of AI in our world.
The premiere episode, “The Robot Revolution,” explores the twisted ideology behind these machines and their connection to human society.
By depicting an army of killer robots, the show is warning viewers about the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement and the need for responsible AI development.

The newest season of Doctor Who opens as the series often does – with an unsuspecting human stumbling into some alien strangeness that doesn’t make any sense until an odd yet charming Time Lord shows up in a police box ready to save the day. The premiere episode, “The Robot Revolution,” feels like classic Doctor Who as it pits the Doctor and his new companion against an army of killer machines from another planet.

Of course, the Doctor has fought squads of goofy-looking automatons countless times during Doctor Who‘s 61-yearlong run. But what makes “The Robot Revolution” feel somewhat distinct is what it has to say about where these particular robots and their twisted ideology come from. When I recently sat down with showrunner Russell T. Davies, he told me that, in 2025, machines powered by artificial intelligence are exactly the kind of villains the Doctor should be tackling because Doctor Who has always been a show that uses fiction to say things about the state of our reality.

“Doctor Who always speaks of the modern world, and if I simply look out of my window at the city below me, this is what’s happening,” Davies says of AI’s increasing prevalence. “T …

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Q. What is the theme of Doctor Who’s latest season?

A. The show explores the dangers of artificial intelligence and its increasing prevalence in our modern world.

Q. How does the new season differ from previous episodes?

A. While classic Doctor Who elements are present, this season delves deeper into the origins and ideology of the killer machines, making it somewhat distinct from previous episodes.

Q. What is the showrunner’s perspective on AI-powered villains?

A. Russell T. Davies believes that Doctor Who should tackle AI-powered threats because they reflect the state of our reality, as seen in the increasing presence of artificial intelligence in modern society.

Q. Why does the show use fiction to comment on current issues?

A. According to Davies, Doctor Who uses fiction to say things about the world we live in, making it a relevant and thought-provoking commentary on contemporary topics.

Q. What is the significance of the premiere episode “The Robot Revolution”?

A. The episode marks a new direction for the show, exploring the dangers of AI-powered machines and their twisted ideology, while still maintaining classic Doctor Who elements.

Q. How does the show’s use of fiction relate to its 61-year-long run?

A. By using fiction to comment on current issues, Doctor Who has been able to stay relevant and continue to explore new themes and ideas over its long history.

Q. What is the connection between Doctor Who and the real world, according to Davies?

A. According to Davies, looking out of his window at the city below him, he sees what’s happening with AI in our modern world, making it a reflection of reality.

Q. Why should we care about the show’s take on AI-powered villains?

A. Because Doctor Who uses fiction to comment on the state of our reality, making it a thought-provoking and relevant exploration of the dangers of artificial intelligence.