It’s tough to picture it now, but AI used to be the stuff of science fiction. Ever since the ‘60s, the topic has been fertile ground for inspiration, resulting in memorable creations, from the evil HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey to the pity-inducing replicants ofBlade Runner. While these movies remain classics, we’re in an era of AI that might reshape the way the technology is depicted in fiction. Instead of visualizing it as something far off and ripe for exploring, we’re encountering it in our daily lives. Your opinions on AI may vary, but one thing is clear: It’s a far less sexy topic than what was promised.