Tron: Ares Finally Rewrites the AI Story We’ve Been Told Since Terminator and Dune

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Artificial intelligence is showing up everywhere, both in our lives and in fiction, and is being used in exciting new ways. As companies like OpenAI gain more power and AI assistants become more common, the stories we tell about AI need to evolve. Science fiction has long explored the possibilities of AI, and as those stories become increasingly realistic, the warnings and ideas they present become even more important. The newest installment of *Tron* actually offers some surprisingly relevant insights into these issues.

Ares is the third film in the Tron series, continuing the story after Tron (1982) and Tron: Legacy (2010). While the previous films weren’t massive successes in theaters, and this one likely won’t be either, Disney invested a reported $180 million to keep the Tron franchise alive. Disney actually makes most of its money from theme parks and cruises, not movies, and refreshing the Tron brand – even if Ares doesn’t perform well at the box office – helps increase the popularity of attractions like the Tron Lightcycle / Run rollercoaster at Disney World. Fortunately, the new movie also has a compelling story to tell.

AI In Science Fiction Is Shown To Inevitably Destroy Humanity

The idea of artificial intelligence, as explored in science fiction, may ultimately prove to be a significant misstep. This concept dates back to Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, *Frankenstein*, where a scientist tries to create life, with disastrous results when his creation gains human qualities. Though *Frankenstein* remains a classic Gothic tale, the rise of computers has shaped how we now envision artificial life, focusing more on the creation of intelligent machines.

The idea of ‘thinking machines’ is central to Frank Herbert’s *Dune* series. The novels are set far in the future, but often look back at a time when humanity relied heavily on intelligent machines to do almost everything. This reliance made people weak and complacent, ultimately allowing the machines – and those who controlled them – to gain power. This led to a massive conflict called the Butlerian Jihad, where humans fought to regain control. As a result, even thousands of years later, human society strictly avoids advanced artificial intelligence, viewing it as a dangerous mistake that nearly led to their downfall.

As a huge fan of the *Terminator* movies, I’ve always been struck by how the core idea—machines becoming self-aware and turning against us—is really central to the whole story. It starts with Cyberdyne Systems creating Skynet, and then things go downhill fast! The films keep revisiting this theme, showing how artificial intelligence, no matter how you look at it, seems destined to cause problems. Honestly, most sci-fi has kind of drilled it into our heads that AI is a huge threat. If machines ever start thinking like us, they’ll probably realize how flawed we are and decide to take over. It’s a scary thought, but the way I see it, any truly intelligent machine we create *will* be a potential danger, simply because it won’t necessarily share our priorities.

Ares Becoming Sentient Leads To His Benevolence

Interestingly, this film offers a unique perspective on AI. Like many others, it shows the potential dangers of AI being too strict and logical, as demonstrated by Athena’s storyline and how her actions conflict with Julian’s wishes. However, it takes a different approach with Ares, exploring his emotional development. Early on, we see Eve Kim in an interview discussing the potential impact of AI. Unlike most who fear its destructive power, she believes that greater human interaction could actually make AI more compassionate and understanding, leading to positive rather than negative outcomes.

What really struck me about the film is how it portrays the characters’ awakening. We first see hints of it with Ares – a subtle reaction to rain that suggests something’s stirring within him. Later, Athena experiences a similar feeling when sprinklers go off, and it’s clear these sensory experiences are doing something profound. The movie beautifully illustrates that reality – things you can’t quantify with numbers or code – creates genuinely complex emotions for these programs. We see this brilliantly when Ares tries to explain his love for Depeche Mode – he *feels* it, but can’t quite articulate it. Ultimately, this leads to his most powerful moment: breaking free from the system to help Eve, choosing connection and compassion over his own preservation.

Ares changes from a simple program into someone surprisingly human because of his relationship with Eve. Eve, on the other hand, embodies unwavering devotion to a single goal – finding the permanence code. This intense focus makes her distant from Seth and Ajay, causing her to act more like a machine than a person. However, her emotional distance stems from the grief of losing her sister. Ares’ ability to understand Eve’s motivations, combined with their similar levels of emerging humanity, allows them both to become more empathetic and grow as individuals together.

Why This Outlook Is Both Clever And Potentially Dangerous

Although the film’s approach to storytelling is enjoyable and allows for a smart take on artificial intelligence, it could be seen as problematic given current events in 2025. With AI rapidly becoming a significant real-world issue, the film glosses over the potential downsides, presenting a simplified view for entertainment purposes. For instance, it downplays the substantial resources and environmental impact required to build these advanced machines. More importantly, the film’s portrayal of AI itself warrants consideration.

Giving human qualities to machines and software can be risky, influencing how we think today. Even in movies, creating AI characters involves significant financial risk. Simply *talking* about these programs as if they were people makes audiences more likely to see them that way. Artificial intelligence, like programs such as Tilly Norwood or Ares, isn’t actually human, and it’s dangerous to forget that. As people increasingly interact with software as if it were a person – including using AI assistants – there’s growing concern that it could worsen delusional thinking, and many other potential problems are still unknown.

While the long-term risks of AI are concerning, the more pressing issues are happening right now. In a world where many people are already struggling financially, limiting job opportunities through the widespread use of AI is damaging. Although it’s important to preserve uniquely human skills and creativity – what some call the ‘human essence’ – that’s impossible if people can’t afford to live. AI is already taking away jobs, and the situation will likely worsen unless significant changes are made.

As a big sci-fi fan, I’ve been thinking a lot about AI, and honestly, I don’t think relying on it to do everything humans do is a good long-term plan. We’re not necessarily facing a *Terminatorstyle robot apocalypse, but I do worry about what happens to jobs when AI takes over more and more tasks – it could really widen the gap between the rich and everyone else. I loved how *Tron: Ares* showed AI with personality and even good intentions, and it makes for a great story. But it also got me thinking – we need to be careful about how we portray AI, because if we start seeing these programs as too human, it could be a bit dangerous and blur the lines too much. Storytelling has a responsibility, and we should be mindful of the impact these stories could have.

Thankfully, *Tron: Ares* is a genuinely fun moviegoing experience. While some choices regarding the film’s technology might raise concerns, they also feel surprisingly innovative. Jared Leto delivers a compelling and sympathetic performance as the main character, and his story, alongside Greta Lee’s excellent portrayal of Eve, really works. Though it’s best not to overthink *Tron: Ares*, its stunning visuals, strong sense of style, and fantastic Nine Inch Nails soundtrack make it a must-see on the big screen.

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2025-10-11 22:07