neXt (2020)

This television series premiered on FOX (in the States) and Global (in Canada) last night.

Notice the X in the title. What have I told you before about “X”? *Warning, warning!*

Here’s a synopsis of the show, from YouTube:

“A propulsive, fact-based thriller about the emergence of a deadly, rogue artificial intelligence that combines pulse-pounding action with a layered examination of how technology is invading our lives and transforming us in ways we don’t yet understand. A Silicon Valley pioneer discovers that one of his own creations – a powerful A.I. – might spell global catastrophe, and teams up with a cybercrime agent to fight a villain unlike anything we’ve ever seen – one whose greatest weapon against us is ourselves.”

“Yeah, sure, whatever…” That’s the normal reaction. But what if you’re paranoid? (And I’m half expecting my computer to stop functioning while I write this post…)

Here’s the Wikipedia version of last night’s episode: File #1

Shea Salazar, an FBI special agent, joins Paul LeBlanc, a former tech CEO, after the suspicious death of Dr. Richard Weiss. Weiss leaves a recorded videotape addressed to LeBlanc that warns about a possible superintelligence. While still at Zava, his former company, Paul worked on a program to develop a human-level AI, then canceled it in fear of causing a technological singularity. He believes an AI killed Weiss and fears his former company may have reopened the program. The program, “Next”, is supposed to be isolated from the internet. Shea suspects a nervous developer who overhears her conversations with Paul and Zava’s new CEO, Paul’s brother Ted. Her team at the FBI produce evidence that the developer has received a large infusion of cash, which leads her to discover a hidden Wi-Fi router Next requested the developer use to connect the AI to the rest of the world in return for the money. Next hacks into the FBI and rapidly deletes data relating to Salazar’s human trafficking case. After being bullied at school, Shea’s son Ethan is talking more to Iliza, a virtual assistant smart speaker, which provides him with the combination to open a gun safe in his home.

Now do you feel safe?