Synthetic Reflections is a short film created by and about artificial intelligence. In a reflective discourse on AI’s impact on society, the film unfolds in five distinct chapters, each set in a uniquely imagined, generative environment. Entirely composed of AI-generated content—including visuals, sound, text, and narration—the film blurs the line between human and machine creativity. Every element was meticulously curated and assembled by human hands, shaping a cohesive cinematic experience from fragmented, algorithmically produced materials.

 

Through its narrative, Synthetic Reflections explores a range of pressing themes: the rapid surge of AI innovation and the fascination surrounding it, the profound transformations AI has triggered across various fields, the evolving role of personal creativity in an AI-driven world, the ethical challenges of unregulated technology and legal ambiguity, and the shifting boundaries between the artificial and the real. Each chapter offers a distinct perspective, inviting the audience to critically engage with the promises and uncertainties of artificial intelligence.

 

The film was created in January 2025 by Marie Backhaus, Henrike Hof, Levon Javaheri, Eva Matzerath and Phillip Schulz at Köln International School of Design, Germany. Through this project, they examine not only AI’s capabilities but also its implications for the future of artistic expression and human identity.