Class of ‘09 Explores Artificial Intelligence As The Future of The FBI
Ever wondered what would happen if the FBI trusted artificial intelligence to solve crimes more than their own trained agents? FX’s Class of ‘09 explores just what could happen in a future with AI serving as the ultimate justice system.
The limited series follows a class of FBI agents through three points in their careers: past training, present careers, and future technologies. Spanning multiple decades and triple timelines, the series examines the nature of justice and humanity. We follow Tayo (Brian Tyree Henry) who becomes the director of the FBI during the rise of artificial intelligence, while Poet (Kate Mara) investigates the system’s accuracy and power.
Class of ‘09 is an accurate and terrifying exploration of the power of artificial intelligence. It depicts the FBI training process, the subjective nature of police investigations, and personal relationships in such difficult careers. AI is integrated into the FBI utilizing data from all aspects of life including phones, cameras, facial recognition, and more.
The series makes you question what is more important: national security or personal privacy? Data can inform a person about a lot of things, but is that data more impartial than a person? Is personal judgment integral in solving crime in a fair and accurate way? What happens if artificial intelligence surpasses human power?
Triple timelines can be confusing, but with clear visual filtering, title cards with the year, and distinct costumes, it is easy to follow the complex storyline. This show depicts a realistic escalation of power and use of AI. Viewers get to see how something so powerful once began as an innocent way to better solve crimes. The acting performances by Kate Mara and Brian Tyree Henry were career bests. With such an emergence of artificial intelligence, this show came at a time before the trope has been overdone and exaggerated. It is extremely timely and accurately futuristic. A great watch for anyone interested in criminal justice, artificial intelligence, or futuristic hypotheses.
Class of ‘09 is streaming now on Hulu.
