Robots on Screen

Artificial intelligence in a century of cinema

Robots on Screen charts a century of artificial intelligence in film, from early automata to modern AI, as we face questions about their impact on society and on screen. 

Discover how a century of cinema has imagined robots and artificial intelligence. 

From the groundbreaking Maschinenmensch of Metropolis to the iconic droids of Star Wars, Robots on Screen explores how film has shaped our relationship with intelligent machines. As AI and robotics move from fiction into everyday life, these cinematic visions feel more urgent than ever. 

Across more than 250 images and film stills, this illustrated history reveals: 

• The origins of screen robots, from early automata and silent cinema to sci-fi classics. 
• Iconic films and characters, including Metropolis, Blade Runner and The Terminator.  
• A truly global perspectives, from Hollywood to Japanese anime and Soviet films.  
• The real-world parallels between cinematic AI and today’s rapidly advancing technology. 

As we stand on the brink of an AI-driven future, the questions posed by these films have never been more relevant: Will robots help us or threaten us? Will machine intelligences deserve rights? Will electronic minds become smarter than our own? Will AI take our jobs? 

Perfect for film lovers, sci-fi fans and anyone fascinated by the future, Robots on Screen is an essential guide to the machines we’ve imagined.

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