hal in modern day

HAL epitomizes the idea of an artificial intelligence taking control of our lives in ways that we are unable to fight back against. To me, that might include the modern Tell Me phone system, where the computer tries to understand your commands and provide you with information, but you cannot get a live person to pick up even when you demand one. (Think almost every credit card call center!). Another aspect might be in our use of navigation systems in our cars, which we ultimately rely on as we become more helpless.

It is sad to note the passing of Arthur C . Clarke this week.