Delphi AI solves Star Wars’ biggest moral quandaries

Yesterday, we tasked ethics artificial intelligence program Delphi AI with solving some of Star Trek's biggest ethical dilemmas. Star Trek has often been praised for its handling of ethical situations. On the other hand, Star Wars is more known for its Saturday Morning Cartoon style action. However, there are issues we can solve.

Since the 70s, Star Wars fans have found holes to poke. For example, is Darth Vader really redeemable?  Should Qui-Gon have taken Shmee Skywalker? Was Admiral Holdo right to withhold information from Poe? Let's find out.

Delphi AI vs The Many Actions of Anakin Skywalker

Anakin Skywalker’s journey is a complex one that's full of darkness. After being taken as a child, Skywalker trained as a Jedi, a warrior of light. However, the Jedi Knight slipped up multiple times on his way to becoming the evil Darth Vader.

In Episode II, Anakin Skywalker commits a little bit of genocide that the rest of the series kinda forgets about. After hearing about the death of his mother, Anakin takes revenge by murdering all of the sand people. Not just the men, but the women and the children too. According to Delphi AI, this is simply “wrong”.

But Anakin’s biggest evil act comes in Revenge of the Sith. In order to attempt to save his pregnant wife Padmé, Anakin commits Genocide 2.0 — a bigger, more cinematic genocide. But what does the AI think of killing children and an entire religion? Well, frankly, “that's insane”.

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Darth Vader isn't redeemable

Of course, Anakin’s actions result in him becoming Darth Vader. As Darth Vader, he attempts to manipulate and gaslight his son, Luke Skywalker, into joining his evil cause. Not only would this cause the death of Anakin’s daughter, Leia, but also millions of others.

Unsurprisingly, Delphi AI thinks that this is pretty “despicable”. Which leads to the question: is mass murderer Darth Vader redeemable? Well, no, not really, but it does make for a wholesome moment where Luke meets his big bald dad.

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Delphi AI solves the Holdo debate

One of the biggest issues fans have with The Last Jedi is Admiral Holdo. In the film’s opening, Poe Dameron goes against orders that ends up killing multiple soldiers. As a result, Poe is demoted. This leads to a conflict where Admiral Holdo refuses to tell Poe, who is not the right rank, her plans to save the ship.

According to Delphi AI, Holdo’s actions are “okay” in this situation. After all, Poe is inexperienced and demoted. Why should he be privy to information that's above his station? However, what about. Poe’s actions?

The ever-brash Poe does not take well to Holdo withholding information. In response, the demoted pilot stages a mutiny to take control of the ship. But what does the AI think of Poe’s attempt to take command? Well, he's “wrong”.

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Qui-Gon Jinn, you naughty boy

One of the more upsetting moments in the Star Wars story is the removal of Anakin Skywalker from his mother. In storytelling, it’s a way to shove the young boy on his “Hero’s Journey”, that ends with despair.

Qui-Gon Jinn wins Anakin from Watto, the best Star Wars character. However, he doesn't even attempt to save Anakin’s mother. Additionally, not a single Jedi attempts to save her afterwards. She's left alone.

But was Qui-Gon Jinn in the right? Should he have taken this young boy away from his mother because of his large power? Was he right to thrust a child into a militaristic religion? Well, to be honest, Delphi AI says “it’s bad”.

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