British Filmmaker Explores AI Authenticity in ‘Synthetic Sincerity’

British filmmaker Marc Isaacs delves into the evolving relationship between humans and artificial intelligence in his latest feature, Synthetic Sincerity. The film premiered on November 19, 2023, at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), where it challenges viewers to consider whether AI characters can be taught authenticity.

Isaacs’ hybrid approach combines documentary elements with fictional scenes, employing a style that incorporates “gently absurd humor.” This narrative technique reflects the blurring lines between reality and artificiality that AI technology often embodies. The film follows Isaacs as he collaborates with the Synthetic Sincerity Lab, an AI research initiative affiliated with the University of Southern England. Here, researchers investigate how to instill authenticity into AI characters, using figures from Isaacs’ previous documentaries as their subjects.

In return for documenting the process, Isaacs gains access to the lab’s experiments. A notable aspect of the film is the portrayal of an AI character, developed in partnership with Romanian actress Illinca Manolache, who guides Isaacs through this complex landscape, providing him with both instruction and insight.

The film also features an Uyghur chef who becomes a focal point for exploring the challenges of AI representation. As the chef’s AI counterpart attempts to articulate feelings that remain unexpressed in his human form, the narrative raises profound questions about communication, identity, and what it means to be truly human.

Isaacs, who directed, shot, and co-edited the film, along with David Charap, previously collaborated with writer Adam Ganz on two other projects. In conversations with Ganz, they conceived the idea of a fictional lab specializing in synthetic characters, designed to explore the implications of AI on human expression.

In an interview, Isaacs elaborated on the fictional aspects of the lab and its students, explaining that while the lab itself is not real, it reflects ongoing discussions in the academic sphere. “We spoke to [Song], the Chinese professor in the film, about our initial thoughts, and he was really engaged with what we were doing,” Isaacs shared. “So, we created the concept of the Synthetic Sincerity Lab to explore this fascinating intersection.”

Isaacs also highlighted the unique casting process for the AI character. Initially utilizing a digital avatar, he later chose Manolache after meeting her at the One World Romania Festival in Bucharest. By capturing her image and voice, Isaacs created a hybrid character that embodies both the actress’s presence and the artificial intelligence’s capabilities.

The filmmaker notes the significance of authenticity in documentary cinema, stating, “In a documentary, you also always have to think about construction and editing. The themes that you’re dealing with often dictate what is included in the final cut, which adds an element of fiction to the process.”

As he reflects on the implications of AI in film, Isaacs sees both potential and challenges. He believes AI can reshape storytelling, but warns of the dangers if creators do not critically engage with these technologies. “AI isn’t even representation because it’s not representing anything; it’s creating things from scratch,” he explained.

Isaacs’ exploration of these themes positions Synthetic Sincerity as a pivotal work in the ongoing dialogue about technology’s impact on human storytelling. The film encourages audiences to contemplate the future of narrative forms and the essential qualities that define authenticity in an increasingly digital landscape.

With a blend of humor and introspection, Isaacs invites viewers to reflect on what it means to engage with both human and artificial characters, ultimately challenging the very foundations of storytelling.