Ted, the learning platform famed for its Ted Talks, has released an original film uncovering what would happen if AI bots become human enough to experience mental health issues.
Set in the year 2118, the film from Mother stars The Thick of It’s Rebecca Front and W1A’s Hugh Skinner as therapist and bot respectively. Front explains to camera how the “third generation” of AI bots have taken on human form.
But despite their immense success when it comes to solving humanity's problems, the AIs are beginning to experience the human plague of “privilege”.
“They’ve grown up wealthy and educated, and without any real purpose they’ve gravitated towards fields like art and DJ-ing, and that’s just made them more miserable,” she explains.
The film’s colouring captures the bright, futuristic silks worn by the cast and the stylish interiors of the therapist’s office.
‘AI Therapy’ forms part of a series of films created to bring to life Ted’s theme of 2018: ‘The Age of Amazement’. The shorts have been produced by filmmakers around the world, and were premiered at the Ted conference in Vancouver last week (12-14 April).
Wider distribution online aims to drive traffic to Ted.com and the brand’s social pages.
Mother: Ted 'AI Therapy'