Skynet (Terminator)

Skynet is a fictional artificial neural network-based conscious group mind and artificial general superintelligence system that serves as the main antagonist of the Terminator franchise. In The Terminator, Skynet is an example of a machine that has achieved super intelligence. In the first film, it is stated that Skynet was created by Cyberdyne Systems for SAC-NORAD. When Skynet gained self-awareness, humans tried to deactivate it. Skynet retaliated with a countervalue nuclear attack, an event which mankind in (or from) the future refers to as Judgment Day. In this future, John Connor leads the human resistance against Skynet's machines—which include Terminators—and ultimately leads the resistance to victory. Throughout the film series, Skynet sends various Terminator models back in time to kill Connor or his relatives and ensure Skynet's victory. As an artificial intelligence system, it is rarely depicted visually. Skynet made its first onscreen appearance in Terminator Salvation, on a monitor primarily portrayed by English actress Helena Bonham Carter. Its physical manifestation in Terminator Genisys is played by English actor Matt Smith, though Ian Etheridge, Nolan Gross and Seth Meriwether portrayed holographic variations of Skynet with Smith. In Terminator: Dark Fate, which takes place in a different timeline to Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Salvation and Genisys, Skynet's creation has been successfully prevented after the events of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, but a formerly competing AI, Legion, has taken its place as the instigator of Judgement Day. A woman named Daniella Ramos has also taken a deceased John Connor's place as the future leader of the human resistance and Legion's main target.