In this 1997 interview conducted via video phone, film critic Roger Ebert talks to science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke about his collaboration with director Stanley Kubrick on the classic sci-fi film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Arthur C. Clarke co-wrote the screenplay with Kubrick and also wrote the novel of 2001: A Space Odyssey that was published shortly after the movie's release in 1968. They also discuss Clarke's 1997 novel that was about to be published, 3001: The Final Odyssey.
Ebert asks Clarke questions about the creation of HAL 9000, the artificial intelligence character in the film and book. Clarke admits they were off on the year that such artificial intelligence would be available, but a lot of the issues they discuss around the future of artificial intelligence are more relevant than ever. Clarke discusses the short stories he drew from for the creation of 2001, and the meaning of the mysterious ending of the movie. Ebert and Clarke share speculations about the future of science and technology, which are interesting to listen to in retrospect. It's an enjoyable conversation with one of the greatest film critics and one of the greatest science fiction writers.