Fu Xiao Xiao makes a wish on her 15th birthday little knowing it would come true and how it would change her life forever. A.I. on the surface is a standard wish fulfillment story with the consequences that arise, but dig a little deeper and it might cause you to ask uncomfortable questions.

Xiao Xiao lives with her divorced father who specializes in A.I. research. She leads a lonely life and is bullied at school. After her 15th birthday a new student arrives in her class and every day he follows her. At first she finds it annoying, but the desire for companionship drives her to accept the quietly adoring Su Xing Chen. By accident she discovers his secret and despite his difference accepts the boy who promises to be with her forever.

As I said, this is wish fulfillment-a boyfriend who will never betray her, never lie, never leave, never hurt her. As he slowly learns what it means to love, their relationship evolves, but never sexually. He also never ages which causes people to question their relationship. Eventually, Xiao Xiao wants more, wants to be normal, to be happy. She finds that normal and happy don’t always coincide, especially for a woman who has never had to learn to compromise and understand the work and wisdom a romantic relationship involves. *

The actors had a nice chemistry. What I enjoyed the most about this short film was the music. I don’t normally pay attention to the background tunes, but in this short film that almost played like a music video it was hard to ignore and easy on the ears.

If you can watch this bittersweet tale of love and acceptance on a superficial level, it is touching and sorrowful. If you choose to look deeper, you may discover questions that are troubling and go unanswered.

2 April 2024

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*****************Spoilery Talk Below**************

Xiao Xiao’s emotional growth seemed stunted in regards to relationships. Her picker was definitely off as evidenced by the man she chose as a husband. With Xing Chen she could be selfish and only think of her own needs. She didn’t have to be kind because he was just a machine. And therein lies the problem I had with this short film. Xing Chen was a victim of his programming-to be with Xiao Xiao forever. He had no other purpose, no dreams, no desires of his own. Everything in his world revolved around her and her happiness, even as he began to evolve emotionally. The machine learned to love before she did and also learned a harsh lesson about heartbreak. Despite his growth, there was no freedom, no independence, which I found disturbing. This perfect boyfriend would never argue about taking out the trash or where to have dinner. Vacation in the mountains or at the beach? “Whatever you want dear.” Never even complain about being hidden away in a closet. This was tantamount to slavery more than love. Which also brings up the thorny question of the rights for sentient beings regardless of their form. I know, I know, I think too much. It’s a short film about how a human woman and an A.I. prototype develop a friendship and learn to love too late, and I should accept it at the surface value. Which I did, until I couldn’t.