AI-assisted dying? Doris Dörrie's new film addresses prospect of care robots

Germany’s federal government is reportedly considering a multi-million-euro partnership with U.S.-based chipmaker Nvidia to advance the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in industry. According to media reports, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang plan to announce the collaboration at the “Invest in Germany” investment summit in Berlin. The initiative aims to establish a foundation for so-called physical AI, which could be used to train robots and autonomous vehicles. The government is prepared to invest hundreds of millions of euros in the project, according to the Handelsblatt, citing government and industry circles. The federal government has not yet officially commented on the potential partnership. The proposed cooperation includes funding for cloud computing resources via Deutsche Telekom’s AI cloud. Nvidia plans to contribute engineers and chips to the effort. Around a dozen German companies are expected to participate, including Siemens, Audi, and AI firm Black Forest Labs. Nvidia plays a central role in the current AI boom due to its high-performance chips used in data centers. Major global tech firms such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta have invested billions in expanding their AI infrastructure. Recently, Nvidia strengthened its position by acquiring the AI platform Hugging Face for billions of dollars. The company frequently uses its substantial profits from chip sales to fund investments in businesses that are its customers. Nvidia is currently touring Europe, and during an event in Paris, Huang stated that the company is allocating nearly $10 billion (€8.9 billion) for the European technology sector. However, the exact components included in this sum remain unclear. The company has announced investments in several French firms, including the doctor platform Doctolib, robotics firm Genesis AI, and materials research laboratory Entalpic. Separately, filmmaker Doris Dörrie’s new movie, Frau Winkler verlässt das Haus (Mrs. Winkler Leaves the House), explores the implications of AI in caregiving. Set in a near-future Hamburg, the film depicts a world where robots handle tasks ranging from package delivery to restaurant service. At the center of the narrative is an elderly woman who, after a fall, requires assistance. Her daughter is unable to provide long-term care, leading to the introduction of a care robot equipped with an “End of Life” (EOL) program. This feature allows the robot to assist with daily living while also providing assisted dying under specific conditions, namely, if the individual explicitly requests it and meets medical criteria. Dörrie’s film touches on broader societal issues, including the challenges faced by aging populations in Germany, Japan, and China, and the ethical considerations surrounding self-determined death. The director emphasizes that she writes about topics that personally interest her. Known internationally for works such as Cherry Blossoms (2008) and Greetings from Fukushima (2016), Dörrie approaches these themes with a blend of humor and thoughtfulness. The film also examines how AI might assess the cost of caring for the elderly and weigh whether such costs are justified for society. Dörrie references the Japanese legend of Narayama, where elders were traditionally sent to the mountains to die due to resource constraints. She draws parallels to contemporary debates over the affordability of extending lifespans. In the film, elderly individuals are given the autonomy to decide their fate once they reach a certain health condition, although they cannot reverse their choice afterward. Dörrie acknowledges the complexity of such decisions, noting the pressures that may influence them, not just economically but emotionally, particularly regarding familial responsibilities. Despite the film’s focus on ethical dilemmas, Dörrie does not portray AI negatively. In the story, the care robot named Pavlovich helps the protagonist rediscover aspects of life outside her home. Dörrie argues that if AI can aid isolated elderly individuals, it should be utilized. She points to statistical evidence showing many elderly Germans live alone, suggesting that AI could offer meaningful support in such situations.