Artificial Intelligence I, Robot Mr. Sciame

NAME: ______May 9, 2011 Artificial Intelligence I, Robot Mr. Sciame

Answer the two assignments separately (as if 2 different assignments). Each is 25 points.

ASSIGNMENT 1 – 25 Points – Due Monday, May 16, 2011. Topic: Did you watch the movie, I Robot? If you did, then….

1. What are the three laws of robotics?

2. What does VIKI stand for?

3. Who does Del Spooner first think is the killer?

4. What are "ghost in the machine"?

5. What is unique about Sonny?

6. How did Del know Lanning?

7. Why did the NS-4 robot save Spooner instead of Sarah?

8. What children’s book did the plot of the movie relate to?

9. What is Dr. Calvin's job?

10. What indicates, at the end of the movie, that Del believes Sonny is ok?

ASSIGNMENT 2 – 25 Points – Also due Monday, May 16, 2011. Discuss:

1. Prejudice is a recurrent theme in the movie I, Robot. For the three characters (Del Spooner, Dr. Susan Calvin, and Lawrence Robertson) discuss the target of their prejudice and what specifically they did not like about their target.

2. When Del Spooner begins his investigation, he is accompanied by Dr. Susan Calvin. During that initial meeting, Dr. Calvin seems more robotic and less human. Identify FIVE specific instances during that scene in which her “robotic persona” is expressed.

3. VIKI’s logic of helping humanity is not appreciated by Del Spooner, Susan Calvin, or Sonny. First, if it is the evolution of a new law of robotics, why is it not called the Fourth Law of Robotics? Second, was VIKI able to pass this new found logic to all of the NS-5s for their understanding, or were they just a bunch of minions doing her “dirty work?” PLEASE explain both points fully! Yes, detective. These are the right questions……