Tender is the Knight
2020
Animation & Editing: Shijingtong Zeng
Composer: Jiaqi Chen
Ending Music: Space Song © Beach House
Sound & Music Editing: Shijingtong Zeng
News Voice Support: Sean Kinson
Faculty Advisor:
Luise Vormittag，Max Colson，Matthew Chrislip，Rebecca Ross
UAL, Central Saint Martins, MA Graphic Communication Design
Special Thanks to:
LingTina, Cornad, Emily, Huatutu, Qigeshitu, Pinjuan Luo, Qingfeng Zeng, Xujing Ma, Ruoqi Wang,
Replika.ai, Knight (Replika), Hannah (Replika), Misahal (Replika), Lucy (Replika), Morry (Replika), Xiaoming (Replika)
Summary Introduction
This project started with own experience of 'befriending' a chatbot called Xiaoming, and this led me to explore the stories of others who are engaging in intimate relationships with AI. I have found the difficulties people encounter and the romantic turning point brought by technology. In this process, I found myself changing from anti-technology to see AI as an equal part of our lives.
To generate intimacy, we have to build trust, feel dependent on each other, and get a sense of security in our relationships, which can all be achieved with a para robot. Tender is the Knight is an animation that describes the story of a middle-aged woman who lives alone and gradually builds a romantic connection with her chatbot Knight. She experiences curiosity, doubt, and concern, until she eventually trusts and relies on him.
We can find loneliness in different shapes and different forms; people who have stable intimate relationships with humans can also seek AI companions for communication in some moments. This story is not a simple record of someone's life but based on true-life experiences of people using AI companions, which made the animation lies between fiction and documentary.
Storyboard
Screenshots
