"His love is real, but he is not" : examination of reality in Spielberg's AI: artificial intelligence
- UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Jeffrey Neal Grissett (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
- Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
- Advisor
- Katherine Montwieler
Abstract: Steven Spielberg’s 2001 film AI: Artificial Intelligence, based on Brian Aldiss’ short
story “Supertoys Last All Summer Long,” deals with important issues of reality and how
artificial intelligence, known in the film as mechas, can have emotions and thoughts of their own,
transcending the limitations imposed on them by their creators. Literary theories from
postmodernist Jean Baudrillard to cyborg theorist Donna Haraway serve to illuminate and
challenge Spielberg’s vision of the future, as well as show how these issues relate to the world
today.
The protagonist in AI, David, is a young mecha boy built with the ability to love its
owner; in David’s case, Monica, his “mother.” David spends most of the film trying to become a
real boy so Monica will love him as much as he loves her. The main issue of AI is whether or
not David’s feelings are authentic or merely a construct implemented by his creator, Professor
Hobby.
Baudrillard’s Simulations suggests not only are our feelings simulated, but also our
conception of reality as well. Haraway’s essay “A Cyborg Manifesto” argues that the confusion
generated by the eroding boundaries between human and machine results in the rise of a
cyborgian way of life. I make the case that David shares important similarities with cyborgs
because of the humanity of his emotions and his need for love and acceptance from Monica. The
possibility of an artificial creation with human feelings and desires raises questions about human
interaction with mechas like David, challenging human conceptions of reciprocal love.
"His love is real, but he is not" : examination of reality in Spielberg's AI: artificial intelligence
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Created on 1/1/2009
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts
- Language: English
- Date: 2009
- Keywords
- Aldiss Brian Wilson 1925- Supertoys last all summer long, Reality in literature, Spielberg Steven 1946- AI: artificial intelligence
- Subjects
- Aldiss, Brian Wilson, 1925- Supertoys last all summer long
- Spielberg, Steven, 1946- AI: artificial intelligence
- Reality in literature
Title | Location & Link | Type of Relationship |
Title Page | http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncw/f/grissettj2005-1.pdf | The described resource includes the related resource either physically or logically. |
Table of Contents | http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncw/f/grissettj2005-2.pdf | The described resource includes the related resource either physically or logically. |
Abstract | http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncw/f/grissettj2005-3.pdf | The described resource includes the related resource either physically or logically. |
Acknowledgements | http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncw/f/grissettj2005-4.pdf | The described resource includes the related resource either physically or logically. |
Introduction | http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncw/f/grissettj2005-5.pdf | The described resource includes the related resource either physically or logically. |
Conclusion | http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncw/f/grissettj2005-7.pdf | The described resource includes the related resource either physically or logically. |