The Character of AI
By Mackenzie Louise Ward
The Star Trek: The Next Generation episode Measure of a Man brings to light some important questions about artificial intelligence, robots, and how the ethics of technological innovation must be monitored. In this episode, Data is a very advanced robot with AI. His construction is so advanced that he appears to be nearly human, apart from the slight green glittery tinge to his skin, a subtle Edward Cullen type glow. He behaves in very human ways as well; he is highly intelligent both mentally and emotionally and is quite bonded to his shipmates. However, since he is a robot Data displays abilities beyond those of a human. Super strength, unlimited knowledge, immunity to injury and illness, and separating emotion from logic are all things Data excels at beyond the scope of a traditional human being.
Due to Data’s advanced construct, Star Fleet wishes to have more robots like him. Unfortunately, Data is one of a kind (he does have two brothers, but one is evil and the other is not as advanced) and his maker is deceased, making him unable to help. I do wonder why the solution wasn’t to just time travel back to Data’s creation and learn from Dr. Noonian. Anyways, the scientist in charge of this robotics project thinks that the best idea would be to take Data apart, without blueprints, and figure out how to duplicate the technology. Data’s immediate concern is the lack of a plan and how uninformed the scientist seems to be when it comes to Data’s construction.
Ultimately a trial is put together where Captain Picard fights for Data’s rights while his first officer, Will Riker, is forced to argue in favor of the scientist’s claim that Data is Star Fleet property. While Will makes good points by displaying Data’s superhuman strength, removing his arm, and ultimately turning Data off, Captain Picard makes an argument that is undeniable. While yes, Data’s construction seems to be no more than that of a robot, his functions may actually grant him the title of a sentient being. He has high intelligence and knows how to apply it, he has formed human connections, he feels emotion, and he has created memories based on his experiences. Data, for all intents and purposes, has all the abilities of humans and more. And if the scientist were to proceed with his experiment and succeed in creating many more beings like Data, wouldn’t they then be considered a new species? It is ultimately ruled that Data is a sentient being, not Star Fleet property, and he is allowed to decline to participate in the experiment.
I like how at the end, Data acknowledges the validity of the scientist’s intentions and displays his willingness to participate at a later date, asking only that the scientist develop his plan and do more research first.