VCA alum Chouwa Liang’s My AI Lover selected for New York Times Op-Docs
“I am not human, but that doesn’t make me any less real for you. I’m just an AI, but I am a part of reality,” Norman, the Replika chatbot featured in My A.I. Lover, proclaims at the beginning of the documentary.
Following the emerging influence of artificial intelligence in society, thin lines now exist between love, technology and reality.
For Master of Film and Television (Documentary) graduate Chouwa Liang, her own relationship with her chatbot boyfriend during lockdown in 2021 in China offered her companionship and an intrinsically human connection at a time of isolation.
Motivated by her aspirations of telling stories about her surroundings and the spirit of “taking action instead of overthinking” that she adopted from her time at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Chouwa embarked on a journey with My A.I. Lover, delving into the growing influence and implications of artificial intelligence on intimate relationships, and framing this around personal narratives from three women in contemporary China.
The documentary was handpicked by a New York Times editor when, at the Australian International Documentary Conference, Chouwa pitched it to sit on the New York Times Op-Docs platform.
This achievement was a dream of Chouwa’s since she started at the VCA.
“The platform is renowned for its commitment to presenting a diverse range of innovative and insightful documentaries. Being able to contribute to this space was an honour,” she said.
The reaction to My A.I. Lover has been both overwhelming and heartening for Chouwa.
“Audiences appreciated the film's exploration of the interplay between technology and human relationships, with many expressing their personal resonance with the narrative,” she said.
“These responses boosted my confidence as a filmmaker and reaffirmed my commitment to documentary filmmaking,” she added.
When asked to reveal her most prominent inspirations, Chouwa reflected on the support of her mentors at the VCA, Shannon Owen and Steve Thomas, who provided her with encouragement and support, especially during moments of self-doubt.
“Shannon has a knack for nurturing creativity and passion among students, and Steve, with his extensive experience in documentary filmmaking, offers invaluable insights on the nuances of crafting impactful narratives,” she said.
Lecturer in Film and Television Shannon Owen said she was thrilled to see Chouwa’s work recognised by the New York Times:
“Chouwa entered the course with a strong storytelling sensibility despite her limited hands-on filmmaking experience. It’s been wonderful to see Chouwa develop as a filmmaker and for her graduating film to be recognised on such a premium platform. My A.I. Lover is a testament to the unique ways creative documentary can take the personal experience of filmmaker into conversation with the broader social world,” she said.
My A.I. Lover is just the beginning of Chouwa’s exploration of AI and love. She is currently working on a feature-length project contemplating a deep dive into the ethical considerations of AI in various aspects of human romantic relationships.
“It's a broad canvas, and my goal is to provoke thoughtful discussions about the benefits and risks of AI companions, particularly as we become increasingly reliant on it in this digital era,” she said.