The Thinking Game 2024 Movie Review

Overview

• Title: The Thinking Game
• Director: Greg Co
• Subject: Documentary on scientist Demis Hassabis and his journey to perfect Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) through DeepMind.

Key Themes

• Demis Hassabis’ Journey
  • From child chess prodigy to co-founder and CEO of DeepMind.
  • His vision and impact on technology and humanity.
• DeepMind’s Achievements
  • Significant strides in AI development.
  • Notable achievements include defeating human champions in chess, Go, and Starcraft.

Film Craftsmanship

• Visuals and Cinematography
  • Mix of interviews, archival footage, and animated sequences.
  • Cinematography by Yanni enhances the film's atmosphere.
• Emotional Impact
  • Strong performances, particularly from Hassabis himself.
  • Hassabis’ passion and drive for advancing AI are evident.

Balance and Critique

• Ambition vs. Practicality
  • Presents both the benefits and the ethical/societal challenges of AGI.
• Pacing and Genre
  • Some critics note slow pacing and reliance on genre conventions.

Conclusion

• The documentary offers a comprehensive look at the potential and challenges of AGI through the lens of Hassabis and DeepMind.