Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly, raising fundamental questions about technology, society and the future of humanity. In The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist, filmmaker Daniel Roher sets out to understand what this development could mean for the world his child will grow up in.

As he prepares to become a father, Roher begins speaking with researchers, technology leaders, critics and some of the people directly involved in developing AI. His conversations include influential figures from the technology industry and people who have raised concerns about the possible consequences of increasingly powerful AI systems.

Rather than approaching the subject from a single perspective, the documentary explores the tension between optimism and concern. Some contributors focus on the potential benefits of AI, including advances that could help address complex challenges in areas such as science and healthcare. Others raise questions about risks such as the loss of human control, the concentration of power, economic disruption and the wider implications of increasingly capable systems.

The film also makes the debate more personal. By connecting the technological developments to the future of his own family, Roher brings a human perspective to a subject that can otherwise feel abstract or difficult to grasp.

Directed by Daniel Roher and Charlie Tyrell, the documentary combines interviews with animation, illustration and stop-motion elements to explore a complex topic in an accessible format.

Its subtitle, “Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist”, reflects the tension at the heart of the film: recognising the serious risks associated with AI while remaining open to the possibilities it could offer.

For anyone interested in technology, innovation and the impact of AI on society, the documentary provides different perspectives and raises questions worth discussing beyond the screen.