DESTRUCTION AND RENEWAL: REIMAGINING TECHNOLOGY THROUGH ECOCRITICAL CINEMA

Abstract

Technology has long been depicted in science fiction as both a force for destruction and a tool for restoration. This study examines the paradoxical role of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technology in environmental degradation and reforestation through the films Avatar  and Wall-E . Both films explore how AI-driven industrialization leads to ecological destruction but also holds the potential for environmental recovery. Avatar critiques corporate greed and mechanized exploitation of natural resources while presenting biotechnology as a means of ecological balance. Wall-E portrays a dystopian Earth devastated by consumerism, where AI automation initially contributes to environmental collapse but later facilitates reforestation. By analyzing these narratives, this research highlights the dual nature of AI, emphasizing that its impact on the environment depends on human intent and ethical responsibility. The findings suggest that while AI and technology can accelerate ecological destruction, they can also be harnessed for environmental restoration, making them a double-edged sword in the fight for planetary sustainability.