Why wasn’t EDITH Used in Endgame or Infinity War?
The sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) system, EDITH (Even Dead I’m The Hero), developed by Tony Stark, made its remarkable debut in Spider-Man: Far From Home. However, despite its advanced capabilities, EDITH was notably absent in both Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. This article delves into the reasons behind EDITH's absence, examining the development timeline, narrative focus, and practical limitations.
Development Timeline
EDITH was conceived post the events of Infinity War and Endgame. Tony Stark designed it as a legacy system intended for use by Peter Parker after his own death, explaining its prominent role in Far From Home. Critically, the AI was not operational at the time of the events depicted in Infinity War and Endgame. Therefore, its absence from these films can be attributed to its non-existence within the timeframes of those narratives.
Narrative Focus
Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame primarily revolve around the battle against Thanos and the emotional journeys of the characters, particularly Tony Stark and his relationships with others. Integrating EDITH might have detracted from these core elements, shifting the focus and altering the dynamics of the storytelling. The central conflict and the development of character arcs are crucial in these films, and any significant change could have diluted these important themes.
Practical Limitations
Even if EDITH could theoretically facilitate the summoning of reinforcements or provide tactical support, the practical challenges of the situation argue against its use. In the films, the Avengers operated with limited resources and were often in situations requiring immediate, direct action. The urgency and chaotic nature of the battles made it impractical to utilize an AI system that would add complexity rather than assist in the immediate threats posed by Thanos and the Infinity Stones.
Tony Stark’s State of Mind
By the time of Infinity War, Tony Stark was experiencing significant stress and anxiety over the fate of the universe. His decisions regarding technology and AI were influenced by these emotions. Stark was heavily focused on the immediate threats and outcomes related to the Infinity Stones, making the integration of a complex AI system secondary to more pressing concerns.
In summary, the decision not to use EDITH in Infinity War and Endgame stems from a combination of its non-existence in the timeline of those films, the potential narrative distractions it might have created, and the practical challenges of utilizing such a system during the critical events of the plots.