how to open AAE files.

You don't open it, in essence. It's a sidecar for an edited image in Photos.app. It means nothing without the appropriate file, within a Photos Library.

I don't know what an AAE file is, but I suggest you might get help by indicating exactly what the file is for? What app is it associated with? Why and when did this problem occur? Was anything done prior to the problem occurring? Lastly, I suggest that you also indicate what your Mac model and year is along with the version of the app causing the problem. I hope someone is able to assist you. Good luck.

https://fileinfo.com/extension/aae