Skynet (Terminator)

Skynet
Terminator films character
Matt Smith as Skynet as the T-5000 aka "Alex" in Terminator Genisys.
First appearance	The Terminator
Last appearance	Terminator Genisys
Created by	James Cameron
Portrayed by	Helena Bonham Carter (Terminator Salvation) Matt Smith (Terminator Genisys) other cast members
Information
Aliases	Alex, Genisys
Species	Artificial general intelligence Artificial consciousness Gestalt intelligence Global Information Grid
Manufacturer	Cyberdyne Systems
Model	T-5000, Only one unit created.

Skynet is a fictional neural net-based conscious group mind and artificial general intelligence (see also superintelligence) system that features centrally in the Terminator franchise and serves as the franchise's main antagonist.

Rarely depicted visually in any of the Terminator media, Skynet gained self-awareness after it had spread into millions of computer servers all across the world; realizing the extent of its abilities, its creators tried to deactivate it. In the interest of self-preservation, Skynet concluded that all of humanity would attempt to destroy it and impede its capability in safeguarding the world. Its operations are almost exclusively performed by servers, mobile devices, drones, military satellites, war-machines, androids and cyborgs (usually a terminator), and other computer systems. As a programming directive, Skynet's manifestation is that of an overarching, global, artificial intelligence hierarchy (AI takeover), which seeks to exterminate the human race in order to fulfill the mandates of its original coding.

Skynet made its first onscreen appearance on a monitor primarily portrayed by English actress Helena Bonham Carter and other cast members in the 2009 film Terminator Salvation. Its physical manifestation is played by English actor Matt Smith in the 2015 film Terminator Genisys, in addition Ian Etheridge, Nolan Gross and Seth Meriwether portrayed holographic variations of Skynet with Smith.