Arnold Schwarzenegger Says ‘Terminator’ Movies Predicted Future of AI: ‘It Became a Reality’

Arnold Schwarzenegger says The Terminator franchise, which launched its career in 1984, predicted the future of artificial intelligence.

While speaking to An Evening with Arnold Schwarzenegger Wednesday in Los Angeles, People reported that the actor spoke about how writer-director James Cameron’s theories about artificial intelligence in movies have “come true.”

“Today, everyone’s afraid of where it’s going to go,” he said of the controversial technology. “And in this film, in terminator, we talk about the machines becoming self-aware and taking over.

Artificial intelligence is currently the focus of a huge debate in Hollywood and other industries surrounding the use of technology. It also comes as programs like ChatGPT became popular on social media.

Schwarzenegger, who plays a killer cyborg known as the Terminator in the films, added that “at that time we[had]scratched the surface of artificial intelligence, artificial intelligence. Think about it.”

“Now, over decades, it has become a reality,” he continued. “So it’s no longer fantasy or futuristic. He’s here today. And so this is Jim Cameron’s amazing writing.

The actor then praised Cameron for his work and the franchise he has created, calling him “an amazing writer” and “an incredible director.”

“That’s also one of those things that I wish I could take credit for on this film,” Schwarzenegger explained. “I can only take credit for the character I played and the way I played him. But I mean, he created this character. He wrote it so well, he wrote the movie so well, and that’s why he’s, you know, the number one director in the world.

Last month, during her cover story interview with The Hollywood ReporterSchwarzenegger also spoke about collaborating with Cameron on the films and how the director actually got him to say his now iconic line, “I’ll be back.”

“Cameron and I were arguing about how to pronounce the line because I didn’t feel comfortable saying ‘I will.’ I said, ‘I think it’s stronger to say, ‘I’ll be back,’” the actor recalled. He said the director then replied: “Are you the writer now? It’s just a word. Don’t tell me how to spell it. I don’t tell you how to act.”… “I said, ‘You tell me how to act every fucking minute! What are you talking about?!'”

It was then that Cameron explained to the actor that only he thought the joke sounded strange. Schwarzenegger added that the director told him, “’It’s not like that. What makes it great is that he looks different than me or Charlie over there. This is what makes it work. So just say it 10 times. Say it in different ways. I will continue to roll the camera. Then we will choose one.’ So they set it up and I say, ‘(Dish) I will be back … (cheerful) I will be back! … (guttural) I’ll beeee baaaack…’ It sounded silly.

But once the blockbuster came out and the line became a flashpoint with fans, the rest is history.

As for the future of The Terminatorthe actor also revealed DAY, “The franchise is not over. I finished. I got the message loud and clear that the world wants to move forward with a different theme when it comes to The Terminator.”