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Journals / Erciyes İletişim Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 13 Sayı: 1

The Evolution of the Representations of Artificial Intelligence in Cinema: An Analysis of the Last 10 Years Based on the IMDb Dataset

Yapay Zekâ Temsillerinin Sinemadaki Evrimi: IMDb Veri Seti Üzerinden Son 10 Yılın Analizi

Seda Aktaş(ISTANBUL ESENYURT UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-1735-699X
Pages
227–248
Publication Date
2026-01-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In recent years, narratives emphasizing the manipulative power of AI through algorithmic systems have become more prominent.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Films are an important source of data for understanding the socio-cultural and ideological dynamics of different periods.
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Key Findings & Data:Using qualitative content analysis with a descriptive approach, a document search was conducted via the IMDb database, identifying 186 feature-length films released between 2014 and 2024 and tagged with “artificial intelligence.” Based on IMDb’s popularity metric, 11 films were selected as a sample, and AI-related themes were coded and analysed.
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Conclusion & Impact:In recent years, narratives emphasizing the manipulative power of AI through algorithmic systems have become more prominent.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:2014 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Yapay zeka · Temsil · Bilim kurgu

Abstract

Films are an important source of data for understanding the socio-cultural and ideological dynamics of different periods. In particular, science fiction and horror films are strongly shaped by the political and social climate of their time. These films reflect social anxieties, expectations and dominant ideologies. This study aims to identify changes in the depiction of artificial intelligence (AI) in cinema and to interpret these changes within the context of broader social trends. Using qualitative content analysis with a descriptive approach, a document search was conducted via the IMDb database, identifying 186 feature-length films released between 2014 and 2024 and tagged with “artificial intelligence.” Based on IMDb’s popularity metric, 11 films were selected as a sample, and AI-related themes were coded and analysed. Between 2014 and 2019, AI was predominantly portrayed through more optimistic and supportive narratives. After 2020, however, increasingly anxious representations emerged, shaped by concerns such as unemployment, technological determinism and ethical dilemmas related to AI. In recent years, narratives emphasizing the manipulative power of AI through algorithmic systems have become more prominent.

Özet

Filmler, dönemlerin sosyo-kültürel ve ideolojik dinamiklerini anlamada önemli bir veri kaynağıdır. Özellikle bilim kurgu ve korku türleri, dönemin siyasal ve toplumsal konjonktüründen yoğun biçimde etkilenmektedir. Bu tür filmler, toplumsal kaygı ve beklentileri ya da hâkim ideolojinin görüşlerini yansıtabilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, filmlerdeki yapay zekâ temsillerinin değişimini saptamak ve bu değişimi toplumsal yönelimler bağlamında yorumlamaktır. Çalışmada, nitel analiz yöntemlerinden içerik analizi kullanılarak filmler betimsel bir yöntemle incelenmiş ve filmlerde yer alan temalar saptanmıştır. Araştırma kapsamında IMDb veri tabanı üzerinden doküman taraması yapılarak, 2014–2024 yılları arasında çekilen ve “yapay zekâ” etiketiyle listelenen 186 uzun metrajlı film çalışma evrenine dâhil edilmiştir. Sitede yer alan “popülerlik” (popularity) kriterine göre belirlenen 11 film örneklem olarak seçilmiş ve bu filmlerdeki yapay zekâ temsiline ilişkin temalar kodlanmıştır. Çalışma kapsamında belirlenen dönemin ilk yıllarında (2014–2019) yapay zekâya dair daha olumlu bir yaklaşım öne çıkarken, 2020 sonrasında işsizlik, teknolojik determinizm ve etik ikilemler gibi konuların gündeme gelmesiyle birlikte daha kaygı temelli temsillerin arttığı görülmektedir. Son dönemde ise algoritmaların belirleyiciliği üzerinden yapay zekânın manipülatif gücüne odaklanan anlatıların çoğaldığı dikkat çekmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Aktaş, S. (2026). The Evolution of the Representations of Artificial Intelligence in Cinema: An Analysis of the Last 10 Years Based on the IMDb Dataset. Erciyes İletişim Dergisi, Cilt: 13 Sayı: 1, 227–248. https://doi.org/10.17680/erciyesiletisim.1756059

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