The iconic 80s series, Knight Rider, starring David Hasselhoff and his legendary car KITT, left an indelible mark on popular culture. KITT, a vehicle with artificial intelligence capable of speaking and making decisions, represented an optimistic future regarding technology and safety. However, viewed from the current perspective, this retro narrative becomes unsettling, especially in a context where the advancement of automation and surveillance raises serious ethical concerns.
Science fiction always tries to warn us
The premises of the series, which revolved around the protection of citizens through a secret organization called FLAG, now raise doubts about democratic control and the opacity of private corporations in managing security. The implementation of surveillance technologies, such as police robots in Dubai or drones in military contexts, reflects a tangible trend towards automation, which may lack empathy and dialogue, unlike KITT.
Currently, systems like Dubai’s REEM or armed robots in San Francisco are at the center of a debate about the use of automatic force without human intervention. While KITT helped its driver in extreme situations with humor and reasoning, current systems do not offer that same interaction, highlighting the difference between fiction and reality.
The nostalgia generated by Knight Rider contrasts with the fear of artificial intelligence that is being implemented today. With the advancement of technology and its impact on the regulation of urban life, the question arises: what would viewers from the 80s think about a future where surveillance and control are managed by machines without the capacity for negotiation? Modernity seems to resemble more the warnings of science fiction than the dreams of friendly technology.
