I don't believe in strong AI, so watching AI the movie was more like watching a machine break down, and find an unexpected halting state, rather than am emotional journey of any sort. The best thing about it was seeing the tension between Stanley Kubrick actually getting that these are machines deisgned to manipulate emotions, and Spielberg trying to be Spielberg and directing a sentimental movie about a little kid.

Likewise, that makes it difficult for me to watch/read anything about little robotic kids, because authors don't always see that tension. Like, within whichever fictional universe, robot children are always art about children, rather than actual children. (making the art itself, art about art about children) I'm sure Charles Mudede could write some sort of signifier/signified rant that'd explain it much better than I am.