The truth this film proclaims is NOT on the surface:

Ultimately AI is NOT about:
--the future
--artificial intelligence.
--our love-hate relationship with machines
--the probability of intelligent robots, etc., etc.

Instead, the film IS about:
--real human limitations
--dehumanization
--the meaning of being human
--the power of unconditional love

H.G. Wells wrote "War of the Worlds" in 1898 to help the British understand what it is like to have your country invaded by an alien nation. The United Kingdom was invading and colonizing other countries. Through the use of Science Fiction, Wells became the moral voice of opposition to the actions of his country.

The popular Star Trek series, although set in the future and in far off galaxies, is really addressing current situations and conflicts.

Science Fiction has amazing power because it can address current realities with the necessary distance and detachment to convey its moral truth.

In the grand tradition of this genre, AI addresses current issues. The robots (Mechas) represent those we have been dehumanized for reasons of ethnicity, jealousy, and exploitation. Additionally, the robots represent the people we dispose of when they no longer have perceived usefulness and desirability. It is about the tragedy of disposable relationships, one-night stands, family breakdown, the slave trade and human exploitation. It is about the necessity of hope, faith and love, without which there is no survival.

AI is about the essence of becoming fully human.

THE DRIVING FORCE OF INNER DESIRES

The internal desire for unconditional love (presented symbolically as a longing for family) is the starting point of this film. And, it is its closing note.


TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

The desire of the mother's heart is realized. But can the child be fully accepted with unconditional love? There is no easy way this film could address the tragedies that children often face in our dehumanizing world except by making this child a robot. The film was released the very week a mother tragically killed all five of her children. Spielberg is addressing the agonizing problem of childhood trauma brought on by not being fully accepted by otherwise loving parents.

THE STRUGGLE TO LOVE THOSE WHO ARE DIFFERENT

"But, he's not real on the inside" Monica mourns. We, too, participate in the dehumanization of the child, because we don't see David as human. And yet through out the entire film we keep thinking, "This is Haley Joel Osment, a real human." Spielberg did not use a computer generated boy. He used a real human. We feel the inner conflict.


ACCEPTING

The process of accepting David into the family is intriguing to watch. Little David has our hearts despite our doubts and misgivings.



LOVE

Love finally breaks through all barriers. We want this to be a real and unending love. We want this to last. And, so does David.



IMPLANTING (BONDING)

Monica speaks the necessary words to program the implanting. And, this is what we want. We are totally with the mother in this scene. It has such a spiritual quality to it with light streaming in from above; the child is as a gift of God.

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