23 Best Technology Documentaries

Technology has changed the world we live in and continues to evolve at an incredibly fast pace. As a result, documentaries exploring technological advancements have become increasingly popular.

These documentaries are not only educational but also engaging and fascinating. With so many documentaries available, it can be difficult to know where to start. To help you out, we have compiled a list of the best documentaries 2023 that are still current and reflect technological advance.

1. The Great Hack (2019)

The Great Hack is a powerful documentary that explores the Cambridge Analytica scandal, one of the most significant data breaches in history.

The film dives deep into the controversial use of data by companies for political advertising and target marketing. The Great Hack reveals how social media companies like Facebook are used to manipulate people's thoughts and opinions, making it one of the most thought-provoking technology documentaries of our time.

The Great Hack on Factual America

2. Elon Musk's Crash Course (2022)

Elon Musk's Crash Course (2022) is a must-watch documentary that follows the life and work of the tech icon that is Elon Musk, including his early beginnings with PayPal and his current mission with SpaceX, exploring Mars.

The documentary provides audiences with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to his companies and projects, including the Falcon Heavy rocket's launch, considered one of the most powerful rockets ever created. This documentary is perfect for anyone interested in technology and the ever-growing desire to explore the unknown. Musk's innovative mindset and bold ambitions are sure to inspire and captivate viewers.

Elon Musk's Crash Course on Factual America

3. Koyaanisqatsi (1982)

Koyaanisqatsi (1982) is a visually stunning film, created by Godfrey Reggio, that explores the relationship between nature and technology.

The documentary features breathtaking cinematic footage that juxtaposes the beauty of nature with the chaos and destruction of technology. It presents a fascinating and powerful message of the effects of humanity's reliance on technology and our impact on the environment. Koyaanisqatsi is a unique and must-watch film for anyone interested in environmentalism and the importance of preserving our planet.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Koyaanisqatsi on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy Koyaanisqatsi as DVD on Amazon

4. Echoes of the Invisible (2020)

Echoes of the Invisible (2020) is a lesser-known yet incredibly thought-provoking documentary that showcases the intersection between art and technology. The film explores the creation, impact, and emotional resonance of scientific images, such as the Hubble Space Telescope's images.

The documentary showcases how the artistic and scientific communities have worked together to create a shared visual language, making complex scientific data more accessible and conveying the beauty of the world around us. Echoes of the Invisible is perfect for those interested in modern art and how technology's influence can create beauty and inspiration.

Echoes of the Invisible on Factual America

5. Insert Coin (2020)

Insert Coin (2020) is a riveting documentary for those interested in the history of video games and their lasting impact on modern technology.

The film dives into the creation of legendary video game manufacturer, Midway, and showcases their iconic games such as Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam. It provides an excellent examination of the company's creation and how the values and culture of the company helped to shape the industry as we know it today. For anyone who grew up playing video games or has an interest in their history, Insert Coin is a fantastic watch.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Insert Coin on Amazon Prime

6. Deep Web (2015)

If you are interested in the dark side of the internet, Deep Web is a documentary that will blow your mind. It exposes the underground world of the internet, where illegal activities like drug trafficking, weapons dealing, and cybercrime are rampant. You'll learn about the infamous Silk Road website, which was shut down by the FBI, and how the government attempted to control the online world.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Deep Web on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy Deep Web as DVD on Amazon

7. Silicon Cowboys (2016)

Silicon Cowboys is an inspiring documentary that tells the story of Compaq Computer, a company that competed with IBM in the early days of computer technology. The film explores how Compaq found creative ways to beat IBM and how their innovations helped to shape the future of personal computing. If you're interested in technology entrepreneurship and innovation, this documentary is a must-watch.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Silicon Cowboys on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy Silicon Cowboys as DVD on Amazon

8. The Social Dilemma (2020)

The Social Dilemma is a compelling documentary that investigates the dark side of social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It examines how these platforms use data to manipulate users and keep them hooked on their platforms. The film features interviews with former tech insiders who reveal the shocking truths about social media technology.

The Social Dilemma on IMDb

9. Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (2015)

Steve Jobs is a technology icon who revolutionized personal computing, smartphones, music players, and animation. Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine is a documentary that provides a glimpse into the visionary's life and career.

The film examines how Jobs' strong personality and creativity helped him to build a company that revolutionized technology. If you're interested in the history of technology and want to learn more about the world's most famous tech mogul, this documentary is a must-watch.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine as DVD on Amazon

10. American Factory (2019)

This documentary dives into the relationship between Chinese and American workers in a former General Motors factory in Ohio, which was bought by Chinese company Fuyao Glass. Explore the cultural differences and challenges of implementing technology into a new workplace setting. The documentary explores the effect of automation and technological advancements on the global workforce. It's a must-see for anyone interested in how technology is changing industries and cross-cultural relations.

American Factory on IMDb

11. Do You Trust This Computer? (2018)

This documentary focuses on the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) technology and its impact on our society. It examines the role of AI in areas such as healthcare, finance, education, and national security. The documentary provides insight into the implications of AI on privacy, economy, and democracy. It's a perfect documentary to understand the potential and the danger of future technologies.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Do You Trust This Computer? on Amazon Prime

12. Google and the World Brain (2013)

The documentary reveals the efforts of Google to create the largest digital library in the world by scanning millions of books. The focus is on the dilemma of intellectual property rights and the digital monopoly of one company. The documentary beautifully captures the potential of technology in providing access to information worldwide, while also highlighting the dangers of corporate control.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Google and the World Brain on Amazon Prime

13. Citizenfour (2014)

Directed by Laura Poitras, this documentary follows Edward Snowden and his decision to leak highly classified information related to the National Security Agency's (NSA) global surveillance program. The documentary examines the role of technology in government surveillance and the violation of privacy. It's essential for understanding the massive impact of technology on civil liberties and sensitive information.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Citizenfour on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy Citizenfour as DVD on Amazon

14. Risk (2016)

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Laura Poitras, this documentary explores the role of technology in politics and the global political climate. The focus is on the controversial figure, Julian Assange, and his role in Wikileaks. The documentary explores the ethics of whistleblowers and the power of technology in exposing national secrets. It's a fascinating insight into how technology can change the political landscape.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Risk on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy Risk as DVD on Amazon

15. We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists (2012)

This documentary follows Anonymous, an online community of anonymous activists, as they tackle various issues and bring light to the injustices brought on by governments and corporations.

The film reveals the group's operations' inner workings, ranging from collective actions, protests, and social media campaigns. As you watch the documentary, you will realize how significant the role of online communities can be in today's world.

πŸ‘‰ Watch We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists as DVD on Amazon

16. The Hacker Wars (2014)

This documentary explores the statements of some of the world's most notorious hackers, including Jeremy Hammond, Barrett Brown, and Hector Xavier Monsegur (Sabu). The movie offers insight into their ideologies, backgrounds, and unlawful exploits. The Hacker Wars is an excellent watch as it provides a balanced perspective on hackers' work and the legal consequences of their actions.

πŸ‘‰ Watch The Hacker Wars on Amazon Prime

17. Kill Chain: The Cyber War on America's Elections (2020)

In the 2020 United States presidential election, the country saw the interferences caused by cyber attackers. Kill Chain explores the workings, methods, and tools used by foreign countries to penetrate American election systems. It's a thrilling documentary that shows you the real-world implications of cyber attacks and data breaches.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Kill Chain: The Cyber War on America's Elections on Amazon Prime

18. Zero Days (2016)

This documentary explores the infamous cyberattack on Iran's nuclear facilities known as Stuxnet. The film delves into the ethics of governments secretly developing cyber weapons to target other countries. The documentary features interviews with intelligence officials and cybersecurity experts who discuss the potential risks of such covert operations.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Zero Days on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy Zero Days as DVD on Amazon

19. Print the Legend (2014)

This is an exciting documentary that looks into the development and establishment of the 3D printing industry. The film sheds light on the pioneers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders who have contributed to the technology's evolution. 3D printing is a game-changer, and Print the Legend provides insight into a groundbreaking industry that is changing the world of manufacturing.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Print the Legend on Amazon Prime

20. Coded Bias (2020)

This compelling documentary film shines a spotlight on the implicit bias in algorithms and artificial intelligence technology. In an era when big data is influencing significant decisions that affect everyone's lives, the film examines the controversy of facial recognition technology and highlights the role of technology's impact on civil rights activism.

Coded Bias carefully examines the racial and gender biases in technology and the ethical implications of tech innovation. With a powerful and urgent message, this documentary is a must-watch for everyone who cares about the future of technology and human dignity.

Coded Bias on IMDb

21. I Am Human (2019)

This documentary showcases the cutting-edge research on brain-machine interfaces (BMI), which combines neuroscience, computer science, and engineering. The film highlights the remarkable stories of three individuals with neurological conditions who become "cyborgs" after receiving brain implants that enable them to interact with the world in previously impossible ways.

The documentary is an in-depth examination of the possibilities and pitfalls of the human-machine interface and the ethical dilemmas that come with the new horizon of brain enhancement.

πŸ‘‰ Watch I Am Human on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy I Am Human as DVD on Amazon

22. App: The Human Story (2017)

This documentary is about the human context behind the creation of our favorite apps. It delves into the human aspect behind the development and introduces us to the people behind the app interface.

The movie focuses on the human side not just in the product development process, but also in the business model of app development. From the creators of Instagram and the co-founder of Dropbox, the documentary showcases the bleeding-edge process for those who work in software development.

πŸ‘‰ Watch App: The Human Story on Amazon Prime

23. NOVA: Rise of the Drones (2013)

This PBS documentary examines drones' emerging world, a technological innovation that has already started revolutionizing military, agriculture, delivery systems, and how we experience the world around us. The documentary discusses drones as a game-changer in the industry, reveals new technology that is revolutionizing drone capabilities, and highlights how drones are being used for positive purposes.

πŸ‘‰ Buy NOVA: Rise of the Drones as DVD on Amazon

Conclusion

From examining artificial intelligence's fairness and bias challenges to discussing brain-machine interfaces' potential, to exploring apps creators' stories, to unveiling the future of drones technology, these top tech documentaries reveal the impact of technological innovation on society, politics, and humanity.

Streaming this series of documentaries can help you gain a greater understanding of the technology's social and political implications, while also being captivated by thrilling real-life stories. So, grab some popcorn, and settle in for a few hours of technology-infused entertainment!

 

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