Can a robot have a soul? In ‘Sunny,’ Rashida Jones and Hidetoshi Nishijima ponder AI’s humanity

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As someone who has spent decades studying human behavior and artificial intelligence, I have formed a deep fascination with the intersection of the two. Having witnessed the rapid advancement of technology and its impact on our daily lives, I cannot help but ponder the implications of creating beings like Sunny from “Westworld” or the potential for AI to develop consciousness independent from its programming.

Rashida Jones had an unsettling encounter with a Furby back in the 1990s.

Her sister’s beloved, bird-like chattering gadget unexpectedly spoke lines beyond its pre-set phrases, alarming them. They discarded the vibrant, plush creature in fear. Despite this unnerving experience, Jones remains uneasy about owning a seemingly conscious machine.

As a movie critic, I’d put it this way: “I don’t own a Siri or Alexa device. Yet, I can’t help but feel they’re eavesdropping even without my invitation. I’m not quite ready to welcome a full-fledged computer into my home with all its data collection capabilities.”

In an ironic turn of events, Suzie Sakamoto’s character in the upcoming A24 production “Sunny,” which premieres on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, unwillingly follows through with this action in the dark comedy set in the future.

In “Sunny,” Suzie Sakamoto (Rashida Jones) learns that her husband, Masa, and their son were on board a plane that crashed.

(Apple TV+)

In the historic city of Kyoto, Japan, Suzie – an American expat – receives devastating news: her husband Masa (Hidetoshi Nishijima), a Japanese engineer, and their young child are believed to have perished in a plane crash. Overwhelmed by grief, Suzie is left alone to mourn. However, her solitude is interrupted when one of Masa’s colleagues pays a visit, bearing an unexpected gift: Sunny, a robot created by Masa with a playful demeanor, designed to sense and respond to Suzie’s emotional needs. Initially reluctant, Suzie grows accustomed to Sunny’s company as the robot reveals more about its origins.

I was captivated by the TV adaptation of “Sunny,” based on Colin O’Sullivan’s 2018 novel “The Dark Manual.” The show’s creator, Katie Robbins, piqued my interest with the idea that the main character, who has experienced so much pain from human connections, could find solace in an android companion.

Robbins made one of the initial adjustments to the robot’s portrayal by transforming it from a foe to a friend. Additionally, she switched the robot’s voice from having a masculine tone to a feminine one.

In an interview conducted via Zoom, Robbins shared his exploration of the human-robot interaction domain in robotics, specifically focusing on HRI and how robots can serve as emotional companions for individuals. He explained, “A robot won’t abandon you, cause heartbreak or pass away.”

Jones is concerned that while artificial intelligence offers many possibilities for human advancement, its impact on the jobs of creatives such as actors is a cause for worry due to the potential threat to their livelihoods.

As a film enthusiast, I often ponder the intriguing question: Can a person be considered intellectual property? If not, then the only way to own a version of oneself is by creating an artificial intelligence counterpart. The thought experiments I engage in are filled with complexities regarding ownership and identity. Frankly, it’s a rather terrifying prospect.

Hidetoshi Nishijima, left, with Rashida Jones, who wondered, “Can a person be an intellectual property?”
(Yosuke Demukai / Apple+)

Five years ago, when Robbins began working on “Sunny,” artificial intelligence (AI) wasn’t as common as it is now. At the start of the project, Robbins teamed up with an AI consultant and found some of the concepts she was learning to be more like something from science fiction. Later, during the filming of the series, ChatGPT was introduced to the public.

“We find ourselves at an unusual crossroads with artificial intelligence as a species. It’s not going to vanish, so the choice is ours: will we allow it to enhance our lives or risk losing control?” Robbins expressed with deep interest as a writer.

Jones expressed that the fascination with AI among humans was not only predictable but also seemingly ordained, as our innate curiosity has long driven us to explore what defines humanity. In her perspective, every creative endeavor serves to validate our existence and uniqueness on Earth.

I’m engaged in exploring my own sense of humanity through the crafting of this creation that bears resemblance to us. It’s an unnervingly vulnerable experience, akin to delving into the depths of a therapy session.

Nishijima, one of her co-stars, who gained recognition in the Western world for his leading role in the Academy Award-winning film “Drive My Car,” expressed his openness to having a robot assist with household tasks that are tedious. However, he has set boundaries: he does not approve of artificial intelligence attempting to mimic human emotions or serving as a substitute for genuine human interaction.

“Would you welcome a random stranger into your house?” Nishijima explained during a Zoom call, using an interpreter. “The meaning is similar. I’ll exercise caution since I prefer not to share deep connections with someone I’m unfamiliar with.”

Nishijima explained that he felt a connection to Masa due to their shared engineering background from college. In the 1980s, Masa’s father was engaged in investigating the beginnings of artificial intelligence as a researcher.

Nishijima shared that his father used to explain research in AI as an attempt to comprehend and explore the complexities of human beings. In essence, Masa’s work on creating a robot amounts to deepening his understanding of the intricacies of the human mind and interpersonal connections.

Nishijima explained that just as people attribute human qualities to their toys out of a deep-rooted need, creators have a strong desire to see humanity reflected in their works. “Perhaps,” he mused, “when early humans crafted the first dolls, they may not have been particularly good, but they believed those dolls possessed souls. Such is our innate tendency.”

Jones said that humans are wired to feel empathy for humanlike entities like Sunny.

I’ve found myself captivated by the idea of AI taking on a physical form. Currently, our interactions are limited to abstract ideas and online prompts. Yet, introduce something with large blinking eyes and expressive features, and it becomes effortless for us to believe that this entity is consciously thinking and feeling.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’d express it this way: To prevent my cast from acting against a tennis ball or any makeshift replacement for Sunny, our production teamed up with Weta Workshop in New Zealand. Known for their exceptional work on “Lord of the Rings” and groundbreaking visual effects in “Avatar,” Peter Jackson’s company brought Sunny to life through an animatronic puppet.

As a movie lover, I can imagine being Joanna Sotomura, the actor brought on board to bring Sunny to life. On set, I donned an advanced headpiece that granted me a unique perspective – through it, I could see my scene partner in real time thanks to a built-in camera within an animatronic. In turn, my facial expressions were instantly captured and beamed onto the helmet-like visage of Sunny for my co-actors to respond to. This innovative technology allowed us to create a more authentic and engaging performance, enhancing the overall cinematic experience.

Actor Joanna Sotomura played Sunny the robot through a piece of headgear that also captured her facial expressions.
(Apple TV+)

As a devoted cinema-goer, I can tell you that this production explores the intriguing bond between a woman and a robot. To ensure genuine connections between Rashida and her co-actors during filming, Robbins made certain we had a tangible scene partner for them. This addition brought an authenticity to each of their interactions, immersing us even deeper into their story.

As a movie buff and an observer of Sunny’s performance, when she subtly adjusted her head, it struck a chord deep within me. Her acting ability was so profound that it touched my heart personally. As an actor myself, I was moved to the core because Sunny seemed to bring genuine soul to her role.

The show alternates between English and Japanese dialogues. To remove language obstacles, Robbins introduces a new device for the characters to use – an in-ear translator, which wasn’t present in the original source. This means Suzie doesn’t need to learn Japanese, but it leaves her feeling detached from the rest of the cast despite mutual understanding.

In real life, a device like that would have come in handy, Robbins remarked. The production team, composed of Americans and Japanese, prepared the series. The majority of the actors were Japanese, thus the need for several interpreters on set. Translating the script with precision, taking into account nuances in tone, was essential.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve noticed how that small gadget we use reflects many of the ideas we explore in our stories. It brings people closer together through technology, yet at the same time, creates a barrier between us.

Although artificial intelligence offers numerous benefits, it remains uncertain if such technology can develop self-awareness separate from its coding. In other words, might Sunny behave in an unexpected or rebellious way? According to Jones, the unforeseeability of AI is similar to that of humans.

As I watched Suzie’s story unfold on the screen, I couldn’t help but feel her sense of desperation when Sunny entered her world. It was as if she had no other option but to embrace this newcomer into her life. But I couldn’t help but ponder over this idea – what kind of desperation are we collectively facing that will leave us with no choice but to welcome advanced technology like AI into our homes? Will it be a necessity, or perhaps an irresistible desire for something cute and companionable? Only time will tell.

Jones expressed her initial unwillingness to purchase a robot similar to Sunny, but acknowledged that her stance could evolve as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly commonplace in our society, just like social media.

“Jones admitted that it’s quite likely for this version of me to disappear, leaving only the need to merge the two. We’ll meet again, and I’ll share with you an unexpected development – I now own a beloved household robot.”

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2024-07-18 19:31