By Daphne Wong-A-Foe
What happens when the line between creation and creator begins to blur? “AIsyah” delves into this poignant question with a live theater performance that explores the existential crisis of artificial intelligence, human relationships, and the limits of technology. Originally performed live at the Padepokan Seni Mayang Sunda in Bandung, Indonesia, this one-time production was filmed by studentclub LFM-ITB (Liga Film Mahasiswa ITB), and is now available to watch in its full glory on YouTube—runtime: 2 hours of captivating drama.
The play is the result of a unique collaboration between STEMA-ITB (Studi Teater Mahasiswa – Institut Teknologi Bandung) and our PhD Candidate Daphne Gummels~Wong-A-Foe (Project 0100 – Leiden University). With a mission to spread AI literacy through performance, “AIsyah” brings technology to life in a way no textbook or lecture ever could.
The setting of the play revolves around a father obsessed with creating the perfect AI. However, “AIsyah,” his creation, finds herself entangled in the household’s personal conflicts, causing her to grapple with an existential crisis that challenges everything she was designed for. The play asks: how does an AI, built to serve and assist, face the void of her own existence within an Islamic household?
This powerful production is part of STEMA-ITB’s first Pentas Besar since the pandemic, marking a milestone for the student theater group. It was made possible through the generous support of Padepokan Seni Mayang Sunda, which provided the venue for rehearsals and the performance itself. The event began with community roadshows and exhibitions in early 2024, and culminated in the grand theater performance on Sunday, November 24th, 2024.
Watch now:
Make sure to turn on the closed captions (CC) for English subtitles!
Leave a Reply