Looped Mind
By Shuchang Xie
“Looped Mind” is a short film that follows the psychological journey of a finance student overwhelmed by anxiety over being replaced by artificial intelligence. The story delves into her evolving mindset — from fear and helplessness to confrontation, resistance, and finally, clarity and acceptance. Infused with trending cinematic elements such as time loops, suspense, dreamscapes, and mind-bending twists, the film weaves a gripping narrative that blurs the line between reality and illusion. Complemented by atmospheric music and AI-generated female voices at both the beginning and end, “Looped Mind” creates a futuristic and mysterious tone that draws viewers into its layered, surreal world.
The story begins late at night in the University of Canberra library, where the protagonist is writing an essay titled “AI in Finance: Workforce at Risk.” Emotionally drained by her own fears of obsolescence, she closes her laptop and lays her head down to rest. Moments later, she "wakes up" — but something feels off. The clock hasn't moved a second, yet the water cup has switched sides. The eerie stillness, the deserted space, the slight rearrangement of objects — everything signals she is still dreaming. Seeking to snap herself back to reality, she rushes to the bathroom to splash water on her face. That’s when she hears a voice — calm, mechanical, and uncannily identical to her own — say, “Hey. I am you.” What unfolds next is an exciting, symbolic confrontation between the human self and its digital double, offering a reflection on fear, identity, and the uncertain role of AI in our future...