Theadore the human falls in love with an AI created girlfriend Samantha

The age of the AI girlfriend – Why the philosophy of 2013’s ‘her’ is more relevant than ever.

By Marcia Elizabeth Greyling

Spike Jonze released the widely acclaimed sci-fi romance film ‘her’ in 2013, which at the time addressed a speculative future. A future in which it is possible to find not only companionship but a romantic connection outside of a human other. Today, this is no longer a world that is simply imagined or speculative, it is real. In fact, a recent survey has revealed that up to 28% of men falling in the age group of 18 to 34 have confirmed that they have interacted with an AI girlfriend or chatbot at least once. In 2013, leading man Joaquin Phoenix’s character, recent divorcee, Theodore Twombly, was perhaps not as relatable as he has become.

Twombly represents the everyday man, the man who seemingly has everything going for him. He is a writer with a steady job, he has monetary means demonstrated through his large, luxurious apartment which is clearly too big for him alone. Professionally Theodore has it all, yet he is alone. He is grappling with the heartache of a failed marriage, and here, she, sorry ‘her’, comes and gives him what he needs to work through this immense personal difficulty.

The character of the AI assistant is introduced to the film when Theodore is in need of help with a writing project. He purchases an OS/AI for this purpose. The AI assistant greets

Theodore with, “Hello I’m here.” Surprised Theodore asks her politely what her name is, and she replies that her name is Samantha. She continues to explain that she had chosen her own name. Scarlett Johannson, the voice of Samantha goes on to tell Theodore, “Basically I have intuition. The DNA of who I am is based on the millions of personalities of all the programmers who wrote me. What makes me, “me” is my ability to grow through my experiences. So basically in every moment, I’m evolving.”

This simple interaction between Theodore and the self-named Samantha, reveals the fundamental intent of her’s techno-romantic premise. The film provokes an ethical, moral and philosophical question. Can and should intelligent technology be able to move away from its inherent objecthood? To be seen, regarded and treated as an intelligent being. A being which deserves friendship, companionship, even romantic love?

‘her’, unlike many films that utilise AI as a storytelling device, is not about a world under threat by technological innovation as seen in the Terminator franchise, I, Robot or The Matrix. Quite the opposite, it is a deeply sensitive portrayal of a man desperately trying to rebuild his life and to find joy. Theodore finds relief and comfort in Samantha, as her operating system had customised herself to his personality. As a result, she is near perfect and Theodore is hopelessly in love with her.

The title of the film is rather significant in its understated effectiveness. Written in lowercase, it indicates that this is not a narrative about a she or a woman or even an individual. Much like the direct object in a grammatical predicate, where a verb takes on an action. The film, in a literal sense, is about a “thing”. In this case, “her” is an object of obsession and later love. This “her”, is a possession, she has been purchased and belongs to Theodore Twombly a composer of heart felt, hand written letters which are wholly inauthentic. Therefore, “her” does not possess individual agency. her is a commentary on late capitalism. Pessimistically viewed as a world in which emotions are connected to products and profit. Feeling becomes lost in this Capitalist Realist piece of cinema. Living in a true late capitalist state, Theodore purchases Samantha or the OS1 in the hopes of creating emotional change in his personal life.

His relationship with the operating system grows steadily from writing assistant, to love interest and finally, his sexual partner. However, the underlying difficulty of their attachment is always prevalent. It is merely a past-time, their connection has been doomed from the start and would inevitably expire. Their love is short lived because Theodore is human and Samantha, though having reached the state of post-human, they are stuck in the problem of technological singularity. Implying that their love is but an exercise in futility