Documentary film 'Bot Love' exploring AI companionship to debut Oct. 21 on CBC and CBC Gem

Bot Love, a documentary by writer-director Tyler Funk, will premiere Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 9 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem as part of The Passionate Eye. Produced by Grand Scheme, the character-driven film explores sex, loneliness, and whether artificial intimacy can feel real—and what that would mean for human connection. It follows people navigating relationships with AI from different starting points: Nick, a young man on the autism spectrum, and Denise, who turns to AI after painful human experiences to rebuild trust. The documentary also profiles developers and builders reshaping intimacy, including Eugenia Kuyda, “Professor EP,” and Justin Harrison, plus a warning voice from Dr. Roman Yampolskiy.