Sundance 2026: The Masculinist and Eugenicist Origins of AI Are Writ Large in Documentary ‘Ghost in the Machine’

Sundance's screening of the documentary 'Ghost in the Machine' at the 2026 Sundance festival, which explores the eugenicist and sexist roots of modern AI, marks a significant moment in the ongoing conversation about AI ethics and accountability. This documentary's examination of how AI's obsession with "intelligence" is rooted in problematic hierarchies has significant implications for website owners, particularly those who rely on AI-powered tools and algorithms to manage their online presence. As the documentary highlights the potential biases and discriminatory tendencies inherent in AI systems, website owners must consider the potential risks of perpetuating these biases on their own platforms. In light of this, website owners can take several steps to mitigate these risks: firstly, they should regularly review and update their AI-powered content moderation tools to ensure they are not inadvertently perpetuating discriminatory biases. Secondly, they should consider implementing diverse and inclusive AI training data to minimize the risk of AI systems reinforcing existing social hierarchies. Lastly, website owners should prioritize transparency in their AI usage, clearly disclosing to users when and how AI is being used on their platforms, and providing avenues for users to report potential biases or discriminatory content.