Ex Machina is full of interesting discussion points and debates - for example Nathan reveals that he harvested personal information from billions of Bluebook users, using their search queries as indicators of human thought. In this clip we see Caleb meet Ava for the first time. What follows is an intriguing conversation as both characters attempt to suss each other out. But when the power cuts out Caleb discovers that Ava and indeed Nathan are hiding more than they are prepared to let on.
A reminder: Ex Machina is a 15 rated film for good reason, and although this clip doesn’t contain anything too alarming, it should only be used with older groups. After showing the clip as a stimulus, break into small discussion groups and discuss the following questions:
• How would you feel if you were Caleb, meeting Ava for the first time?
• What separates humans from machines and animals?
• What technology couldn’t you live without?
• Would the creation of artificial intelligence and the ‘singularity’ lead to proof that God doesn’t exist?
After discussing the first set of questions, read through Genesis 11:1-9 together and return to your groups to discuss the next set of questions:
• Why did God decide to confuse the people by introducing different languages?
• Does this passage imply that God does not want us to progress too far in our knowledge and skills?
• Is it wrong for God to intervene in this situation?
• Would a ‘singularity’ mean that we are now gods?
Ex Machina is a mature sci-fi film that asks a lot of questions and leaves your mind spinning at the end. If you have a mature enough group, why not watch the whole film together and make a night of it?
