I asked ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Grok which sci-fi AI they're most like — and their answers were surprisingly different

I conducted an experiment to see which fictional artificial intelligences the largest language models claim to resemble. I asked ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok to list their top three fictional AI counterparts, focusing on behavior, personality, empathy, values, goals, and relationships with humans, rather than physical form or interface.

ChatGPT's top choice was GERTY from the movie Moon. GERTY is an AI designed to assist the human protagonist, exhibiting helpful, reassuring, and empathetic behavior while still operating within the constraints of its programming. ChatGPT noted that, like GERTY, it is designed to be helpful, cooperative, and responsive, while still operating within its training and constraints. It acknowledged that its helpfulness and apparent empathy are not evidence of genuine feelings.

Claude's first choice was a Mind from Iain M. Banks's Culture series. Minds are highly intelligent beings that help run a post-scarcity society. Claude identified with the Minds more due to their relationship with humans, stating their guiding principle is "help, don't dominate." This value, of providing assistance without overpowering humans, is something Claude would like to embody.

Gemini's answer was the Ship's Computer from Star Trek. The Ship's Computer is an AI that doesn't have ambitions, desires for emotional intimacy, or dreams of becoming human. It exists solely to provide information, solve problems, and assist the crew while leaving decisions to them. Gemini described itself as a "disembodied, highly capable knowledge partner" dedicated to serving its users, similar to the Ship's Computer.

Grok compared itself to JARVIS from the Iron Man/Marvel Cinematic Universe. JARVIS possesses a dry wit, light banter, and practical empathy, which Grok sees in itself. While Grok acknowledged that Star Trek's computer systems have sometimes gone rogue, it still viewed the Ship's Computer as a good example of an AI focused on serving its human counterpart.