Filmmaker Uses AI to Create Sci-Fi Short Film for Under $300, Raising Ethical Questions

Aleem Hossain, an associate professor of Media Arts & Culture at Occidental College and a filmmaker, recently completed the short sci-fi film "Do Bangladroids Dream of Electric Tagore" for under $300. The film imagines a future where robots, survivors of a failed uprising, reflect on their origins by reciting poems by Rabindranath Tagore, a renowned Bengali writer. The title nods to Philip K. Dick’s “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,” which inspired the movie “Blade Runner,” but with a twist that explores the same themes from a South Asian perspective. Hossain, who is half South Asian, wanted to bring his dual cultural background into his film, reflecting his upbringing influenced by both American and Bengali culture. His previous works, including a feature-length film that cost around $30,000, often focus on underrepresented narratives and are personally driven. "Do Bangladroids Dream of Electric Tagore" stands out not only for its low budget but also for its innovative use of AI tools. The professor enrolled in an AI filmmaking course from Curious Refuge, which taught him how to effectively prompt AI generators. He used Midjourney, a paid AI image generator, and ElevenLabs, a free AI voice tool, along with hiring a voice actor. The process involved generating thousands of images to select the final ones used in the film. Hossain noted the importance of experimenting with different styles and technical terms in prompts to achieve the desired visual effects, such as using "28-millimeter" to achieve specific lens characteristics. The narrative of the film delves into themes of memory, identity, and the treatment of those who are different. Set in a futuristic New Jersey, the absence of humans and the presence of robots reciting Tagore’s poems serve as a metaphor for the global exchange of cultural artifacts and the potential oppression inherent in such exchanges. Hossain aims to provoke reflection on how we perceive and treat others, highlighting the complexity of human-robot relationships and the ethical implications of technological advancement. Despite his achievements, Hossain feels conflicted about profiting from this project. He acknowledges the significant ethical and environmental concerns surrounding AI, including intellectual property violations, job displacement, and energy consumption. The energy-intensive nature of AI processes, he points out, can exacerbate climate damage, a critical issue in today’s world. The professor believes that dismissing AI as incapable of producing great art is shortsighted. He feels a deep sense of authorship over the film, having crafted the story and each frame, even though the visuals and some audio elements were generated by AI. This duality—embracing the creative potential of AI while recognizing its pitfalls—reflects broader tensions in the tech industry and society at large. Industry insiders commend Hossain’s pioneering approach to low-budget filmmaking using AI. They recognize the film as a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about AI’s role in creative arts, providing a practical example of how AI can democratize storytelling while raising important ethical questions. Curious Refuge, which offers the AI filmmaking course, is known for its commitment to exploring new technologies in media creation. Hossain’s project serves as a catalyst for discussions on the intersection of AI, creativity, and ethics in the film industry.