Artificial Intelligence Meets Drama: Matt Bond’s PlayAI Project Chronicles the Journey
Date 14 February 2024
14.02.2024Working alongside theatre director Matt Bond, four BA acting students share their perspectives on how they have embraced AI technology as a powerful catalyst for innovation and exploration.
In this short film theatre director Matt Bond delves into the intricacies of his pioneering theatre experiment, “PlayAI,” a collaborative venture with the AI tool ChatGPT.
Building on the success of Matt’s groundbreaking work at Riverside Studios in London in April 2023, this project challenges the traditional boundaries of playwriting by immersing itself in the realms of exploration and experimentation with Artificial Intelligence.
Over a transformative four-week period, Bond collaboratively engaged with UON BA Acting students to craft a new play that delves into profound themes. These themes encompass the nuanced emotions surrounding redundancy and belonging in the age of Artificial Intelligence, the complexities of forging relationships with digital avatars, and the conflicting dynamics between idealism and capitalism within a futuristic digital ‘metaverse’ society.
The film provides valuable insights as four BA acting students share their perspectives on how they have embraced AI technology as a powerful catalyst for innovation and exploration.
Moreover, the impact of the project transcends the realm of performance. It becomes evident that the students, in their exploration of key AI concepts, have not only expanded their digital literacies but have also delved into the ethical boundaries of AI. Their involvement reflects a meticulous and comprehensive approach to working with AI, showcasing a profound commitment to understanding and navigating the intricate facets of this transformative technology.
Richard Byles is a Learning Technologist at the University of Northampton