Eric Braeden on How Colossus: The Forbin Project First Predicted the Rise of AI

When discussing “rogue artificial intelligence,” many minds immediately conjure up images of Skynet from “The Terminator,” where Arnold Schwarzenegger relentlessly hunts down Sarah Connor. However, before James Cameron’s iconic film hit the screens, Universal Pictures issued its own cautionary tale about AI in the post-nuclear world with “Colossus: The Forbin Project.” This 1970 science fiction thriller, based on D.F. Jones’ 1966 novel “Colossus,” centers on Dr. Charles Forbin, played by Eric Braeden, who invents the powerful supercomputer Colossus to manage America’s defense system. However, when Colossus gains sentience and merges with its Soviet counterpart, it holds the world hostage with the threat of nuclear annihilation.

Braeden, known for his role as Victor Newman on “The Young and the Restless,” initially took the role of Forbin as a means to escape typecasting. The film, while receiving positive critical reviews, suffered at the box office due to the economic downturn of the early 1970s. Nevertheless, it inspired future filmmakers like James Cameron, who admired its narrative depth.

Despite discussions about a potential remake, Braeden advocates for a re-release of the original film, emphasizing its relevance and prescience in today’s technological landscape. He points out the eerie parallels between the film’s warnings about AI and contemporary concerns about technology’s unchecked advancement.