Marc Isaacs' latest film, 'Synthetic Sincerity', is a thought-provoking documentary that delves into the world of artificial intelligence, blurring the lines between fact and fiction in the process. By creating AI-generated human figures, the film raises crucial questions about authenticity, representation, and the ethics of using technology to manipulate our perceptions.
At the heart of 'Synthetic Sincerity' is a clever conceit: Isaacs licenses characters from his previous documentaries to a fictional research lab at the University of Southern England. The lab's goal? To create AI human figures for on-screen use – a concept that raises eyebrows and sparks debate about what it means to be authentic in the digital age.
The film features actors playing researchers, including Lynn El Safah, an independent filmmaker from Lebanon, alongside Isaacs himself engaging in scripted dialogues with an AI avatar modelled on Romanian actor Ilinca Manolache. But here's the twist: we're not told exactly how the AI figure was created – leaving viewers to ponder the technical wizardry behind such creations.
One of the most contentious elements involves the creation of an AI version of Ablikim Rahman, a real-life exiled Uyghur man who runs a restaurant in London. The film suggests that this AI figure could express sentiments that the real Rahman might not – a premise that has sparked concerns about patronising undertones and the implications for individuals' agency and voice. The image of Rahman's face speaking candidly, seemingly an AI rendition, is strikingly more authentic than the Manolache-inspired avatar.
El Safah's character encounters fictional repercussions for engaging with a Uyghur individual, highlighting complex geopolitical sensitivities – particularly concerning the university's financial ties to China and El Safah's anti-Israel views. While Isaacs' previous works have garnered acclaim, 'Synthetic Sincerity' has received mixed reactions, with some critics finding its exploration of AI lacking depth.