In recent years, the intersection of technology and art has become an increasing point of discussion and exploration, especially within the realm of theater. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) is perhaps one of the most significant cultural phenomena shaping this dialogue. A perfect embodiment of this intersection is Ayad Akhtar’s new production, *McNeal*, which marks a bold foray into the complex relationship between writers, technology, and creativity. Scheduled to take the stage at Lincoln Center, this play features renowned actor Robert Downey Jr. as Jacob McNeal—a narcissistic novelist grappling with the seductive allure of AI, particularly a large language model (LLM).
Playwrights have been wrestling with the ramifications of artificial intelligence for over a century, tracing back to when Karel Čapek introduced the term “robot” in his landmark play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) in 1920. This work presented a bleak perspective on AI, portraying a future wherein androids revolt against their human creators—in essence, a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of technology. Moving forward to the contemporary landscape, we find that similar threads of paranoia and philosophical inquiry continue to surface in theatrical productions.
Today, these themes manifest uniquely, as evidenced in *Doomers*, a smaller black-box production that navigates the complex moral terrain surrounding AI and its consequences. Written by Matthew Gasda, *Doomers* dramatizes a fictionalized version of Sam Altman’s controversial departure and return to OpenAI. It uses a two-cast format to present differing perspectives on the ethical dilemmas posed by AI—an element crucial to the narrative. The play epitomizes how the current zeitgeist is consumed by questions about the future of technology and its impact on human agency.
Gasda’s choice to craft a narrative where characters indulge in absences of responsibility serves to amplify the gravity of the topics at hand. His exploration of AI reveals deep anxieties—the characters reflect the struggles faced by figures in Silicon Valley negotiating the often-blurred lines of innovation and morality. In one act, they drown their worries in liquor, while the next finds them uncomfortably clutching hallucinogenic mushrooms. This thematic structure raises important questions about the responsibilities of creators in the age of AI. Are artists more accountable for the technologies they propagate, notably when the tools in question can produce significant and often unpredictable outputs?
In a fascinating inversion of responsibility, Gasda suggests that the AI at the center of the narrative may not be a mere bystander; rather, it could possess autonomous agency that continues to manipulate the unfolding story. By leaving this interpretation open-ended for the audience, the script forces viewers to confront the genuine ethical dilemmas posed by contemporary advancements in artificial intelligence.
*McNeal*, by contrast, is a grander, more ambitious work that integrates technology more dynamically within its narrative architecture. Akhtar employs visually stunning projections that simulate the presence of AI as a character, symbolically intertwining the protagonist’s journey with the allure of instant creativity offered by LLMs. Here, Downey’s portrayal of McNeal emphasizes the seductive nature of AI, illustrating how it is not merely a tool but a potential addiction that writers may succumb to in pursuit of success or recognition.
In an engaging interview, Akhtar reveals how his own experimentation with LLMs influenced the writing of this very play. This notion of artists engaging with AI as a collaborative partner is both groundbreaking and fraught with complexities. Will this serve as a bridge toward deeper creativity, or could it lead to a loss of individual voice in the artistic process?
The variability of these two plays encapsulates a larger narrative thread prevalent in current discourse surrounding technology and creativity. both *Doomers* and *McNeal* engage with the dilemmas faced at the intersection of human artistry and artificial capability. As artists and audiences begin to navigate these uncharted waters, questions about authenticity, authorship, and the very nature of creativity will continue to emerge.
Navigating the profound implications of AI in the arts offers a rich and challenging landscape for playwrights. Whether through grand productions like *McNeal* or smaller, contemplative works like *Doomers*, theater is poised to explore the balance of human integrity against the backdrop of rapid technological progress. The future of storytelling will undoubtedly be shaped by these explorations, and as the curtain rises, audiences and artists alike must engage with these critical dialogues.