In 1965 I played Julia in George Orwell’s ‘1984’ – here with David Buck as Winston for the BBC TV. It was a wonderful part in a brilliant story. I urge you to read the book.
Although we are living in an apparently free society, unlike some other countries, I do wonder how free we actually are? Are we becoming slaves to our own material success and to the dumbing down of our culture . Slaves to the dictates of money and the big corporations and perhaps the most serious of all to technology. There is no escape now from technology, it is here to stay. Our lives increasingly dominated by the big four: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and now a fifth one – NIVIDIA
Currently I am in the process of making a film, which I developed and wrote a few years ago about Artificial Intelligence. AI is a subject now in the minds of many. I developed the story, as I believed that this was a coming reality and our story tells how AI robots may combat the dangers of loneliness and help with this dangerous issue. Former British Prime Minister Theresa May called loneliness one of the greatest health challenges of our time. And this is a quote from Harvard University-
“Harvard University researchers have made a startling discovery: loneliness can be just as deadly as smoking.
Both loneliness and smoking impact levels of a blood-clotting protein, which could lead to severe health risks.
Feeling isolated doesn’t just affect mental well-being; it has profound physical consequences too. The study highlights the importance of maintaining social connections for overall health.”
I agree and it isn’t just old people who feel isolated and lonely. Many young people are suffering from it too. So the argument is double edged…will technology – AI make it worse, as we become increasingly captive to our computers and phones, or will the interaction make us feel less alone? Will it be the best or the worst thing to happen to humanity as predicted by Professor Stephen Hawking?
AI robots will undoubtedly be used more and more in the overburdened, short staffed care industry. They are already in use in the medical world. And we all know that the first voice we hear when we call a help line is no longer human.
Our film is a somewhat serious look at the potential of AI and robots as carers, a story of a woman, incapacitated in need of help and along comes Andy, her automated care worker.
Challenging though it is to make an independent film I am excited and proud of what we are achieving. It is a long process, the financing as always is the big issue and a second crowd funding effort is in the works. I will keep you posted.
Till next time friends.
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