Justin Krook, director of the documentary Machine, set out to make a film that examines the pros and cons of the development development of artificial intelligence. Reports of humanity's demise are greatly exaggerated (despite what you might have heard about Boston Dynamics developing the first robot dog of the apocalypse). Nonetheless,Terminator 2: Judgement Day is a ways off yet, but that's no reason to become complacent, says Krook, who warns that we're destined for a series of calamities of our own making, if we don't consider the ethics behind the application of this new technology. Krook spent a year talking to experts in the field of AI and machine learning, who have first-hand experience of developing, analysing and managing this new technology. It's a lot to take in: everything from AI companions to the quandaries of driverless cars, autonomous warfare (!), and the use of AI to create human super-intelligence. On the eve of the film's premiere on SBS VICELAND and On Demand, I spoke to Krook via video. "The first thing that comes out of people's mouths when I say, 'I made a documentary on AI', is, 'Are we screwed?'"