Ranking All The AIs In The Marvel Cinematic Universe

Marvel Cinematic Universe has featured a number of Artificial Intelligence (AIs) so far in its movies and tv shows. Some are good, some not so

By Mohit Srivastava
February 6,2023
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From JARVIS to GRIOT, Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has always had Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the center of its many storylines. Some turned out to be good, some turned out to be bad for our superheroes. Most of these originate as digital assistants to either heroes or villains. Sometimes, however, they develop beyond their intended purpose and become heroes or villains in their own right.

Here is our list of the top 5 such AIs from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) from Iron Man (2008) to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).

6. GRIOT

Shuri with GRIOT

Voiced By: Trevor Noah

First Appearance in MCU: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Probably, the latest AI to feature in the MCU, GRIOT is the AI guide to T’Challa’s sister – Shuri. The name “Griot” is a West African term for a historian or storyteller. It was shown assisting Shuri in rendering a 3D prototype of the artificial herb in order to save her brother’s life. It responds to commands and can create objects using Vibranium such as the remote piloting system, which can take the form of different vehicles it controls from Shuri’s lab. Throughout the movie, it was shown assisting Shuri and her friends (Riri and Okoye) in combats and technical skills. Although, not much was revealed about this AI, given the technological process of Shuri, it surely must possess several advanced technical abilities. It later controls and guides Shuri’s vehicles and Riri and Okoye’s and respective Ironheart and Midnight Angel armors in the movie.

5. KAREN

Spiderman (Peter Parker) and KAREN

Voiced By: Jennifer Connely

First Appearance in MCU: Spiderman: Homecoming (2016)

Another AI created by the genius Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) after JARVIS, KAREN was a natural-language user interface. It was designed to aid Peter Parker with help of a new advanced suit gifted to him by Tony. Tony believed that once Peter completes his ‘Training Wheels Protocol’ (a set of protocols that once done shall establish Peter as a responsible superhero), KAREN would help him to make the most of his suit’s abilities. However, Peter had the protocols disabled with the help of his friend, Ned Leeds. 

4. E.D.I.T.H.

EDITH with Peter Parker

Voiced By: Jennifer Connely

First Appearance in MCU: Spiderman: Far From Home (2019)

Tony Stark, after his death, passes on to Peter Parker an advanced augmented reality artificial intelligence program – EDITH (short for ‘Even Dead, I’m The Hero’). It is capable of accessing Stark Industries’ global satellite network and could hack into nearly any computerized device. Stark uploaded it in a pair of his glasses, to be given to Nick Fury in the event that he died, intending for Fury to pass it down to Peter Parker, whom he had programmed to be the only authorized user of E.D.I.T.H. However, Peter passes it on to Quentin Beck (aka Mysterio) thinking that he is more deserving of its possession than him. However, he betrays him and EDITH finally went back to Peter.

3. ULTRON

Ultron

Voiced By: James Spader

First Appearance in MCU: Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

After the attack of Loki and the Chittauri army on New York City in Avengers, Tony Stark started getting nightmarish visions (due to Wanda Maximoff) of the death of his fellow Avengers. Foreseeing future threats on Earth from aliens, Tony Stark and Bruce Banner devised the idea for the ULTRON Program as an extension of the Iron Legion to operate independently as an A.I. peacekeeping program as “a suit of armor around the world.” However, soon the A.I. became sentient and concluded that the biggest threat to humanity was humanity and the Avengers themselves. He then creates a Doomsday Trigger, composed of both Vibranium and Chitauri technology, to use it as a meteor to wipe out all of humanity. While Sokovia couldn’t be saved, the Avengers were able to rescue the civilians and Wanda ripped Ultron’s heart out as revenge for him killing her brother.

2. J.A.R.V.I.S.

Tony Stark with JARVIS guiding his Iron man suit

Voiced By: Paul Bettany

First Appearance in MCU: Ironman (2008)

MCU’s first AI guide, J.A.R.V.I.S., was created by Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) to assist in his technological skills. He is modeled after H.O.ME.R. from the comics. It goes on to later control Stark’s Iron Man and Hulkbuster suits for him. In MCU, J.A.R.V.I.S. is said to be an acronym for “Just A Rather Very Intelligent System”. In addition to his technologies, JARVIS also assists Stark in his personal and financial matters. However when Ultron attempts to destroy it, it goes into hiding and later assumes the physical form of Vision, a vibranium-based male android (or “Synthezoid”). After gaining a physical body, J.A.R.V.I.S. (as Vision) considers himself to not be J.A.R.V.I.S. anymore, but to simply be Vision. Vision is portrayed by Paul Bettany himself in the subsequent films. Thereafter, Stark develops himself a new assistant – F.R.I.D.A.Y (voiced by Kerry Condon).

Before we unveil our top pic, here are some Honorable Mentions –

  • Arnim Zola (portrayed by Toby Jones, Captain America: the Winter Soldier, 2014 ),
  • Miss Minutes (voiced by Tara Strong, Loki season 1, 2021), and
  • Supreme Intelligence (portrayed by Annette Bening, Captain Marvel, 2019).

1. K.E.V.I.N.

KEVIN in She-Hulk

Voiced By: Brian T. Delaney (uncredited)

First Appearance in MCU: She Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)

It stands for ‘Knowledge Enhanced Visual Interconnectivity Nexus’ and is an AI which at the climax of She-Hulk is revealed to be the in-universe mastermind behind all Marvel Cinematic Universe storyline decisions. K.E.V.I.N. is depicted as operating through a robot in a secure room inside Marvel Studios where the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe can be surveyed simultaneously. It was the MCU answer to meta-humor and the fourth-wall breaks of the character, which she was most known for in the comics. Its name is a callback to Marvel Studios President – Kevin Feige. Although it seemingly is not as powerful as other AIs are, presenting itself as the ‘one’ behind the whole of MCU decisions, makes it kind of an Omniscient being in the MCU, which is why it takes our top spot.