We asked AI who the best Star Trek captain is (and no, it’s not Kirk)

When it comes to Star Trek, we all have our favorite captains and the identity of our favorite captains often varies from person to person, and generation to generation.

There are so many unique arguments to be had for why the many captains in the franchise are the best and it’s hard to be objective when making your choice. This is because we all have very unique experiences with the franchise and it’s often those unique experiences that shape our opinions.

The beauty of a franchise such as Star Trek is that it’s been around for generations which means there have been many interpretations that served as the gateway to joining the Trekkie fandom. Often, it’s the first Star Trek captain that we encounter which ends up being the favorite in our eyes as they become our captain, the one that pulled us into the franchise and made us want more.

Sure, we can bring logic into the equation and discuss their decision-making and leadership skills, but it’s hard to be objective when selecting the best captain when you have years of memories connected to one specific character.

For many, their first entry into the fandom has come via the original series or the recent cinematic franchise which is why it’s Captain Kirk who is often the first to come to mind and is always in the mix when discussing the best captains of the franchise. So when we asked AI who the best captain in Star Trek was, we expected Kirk would be the clear favorite. Well, we were wrong.

AI selects the best Star Trek captain

There are many amazing captains in the Star Trek universe and Kirk is often considered the best by fans, but AI has different opinions on who is the best. That’s right, according to AI, Captain Kirk is not the best captain. That honor goes to another legendary captain.

According to ChatGPT’s AI, the best captain in the Star Trek universe is none other than Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and here’s why:

"Captain Jean-Luc Picard is widely regarded as the best Star Trek captain by many fans and critics alike. Portrayed with incredible depth and gravitas by Sir Patrick Stewart in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Picard is admired for his strong sense of ethics, diplomacy, and leadership. He consistently embodies the principles of the United Federation of Planets, striving for peaceful solutions to complex problems and emphasizing the importance of exploration and diplomacy over conflict. Picard’s intellectual prowess, calm demeanor, and unwavering commitment to his crew’s well-being make him an iconic figure in the Star Trek franchise. His character development throughout the series, including his experiences with the Borg and exploration of his personal history, adds layers of complexity to his leadership. Captain Picard’s enduring influence on Star Trek and his role in inspiring viewers with his vision of a better future make him the standout choice as the best Star Trek captain."

Honestly, we can’t argue with AI’s logic or selection as Captain Jean-Luc Picard is indeed one of the greatest captains we’ve ever seen within the entire franchise. He’s one of the most iconic characters in all of Star Trek and definitely is worthy of being deemed the best captain in the franchise.

Still, it’s interesting to see AI choose Picard over Kirk but that’s the fun of the franchise. Everyone has their favorite captain, even AI, and there are so many reasons to love the many amazing captains who have taken center stage over the years.