Artificial

It's a few years into the future, and there are only weeks left before AI units are deployed in law enforcement roles for the first time. Speculation is high as Athena is put through "her" final diagnostics and assessments, and Athena's creator faces intense scrutiny from all sides. Most pressing is the project's funding company probing for any opportunity - questionable or not - for...
It's a few years into the future, and there are only weeks left before AI units are deployed in law enforcement roles for the first time. Speculation is high as Athena is put through "her" final diagnostics and assessments, and Athena's creator faces intense scrutiny from all sides. Most pressing is the project's funding company probing for any opportunity - questionable or not - for the project to finally turn a profit.

With the project's future on the line, Athena is asked directly about her applications and capabilities. And Athena lies.
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Artificial

Recommended by

  • Aly Kantor:
    2 Feb. 2024
    An altruistic engineer is aiming to create an autonomous robotic police officer incapble of human error. Naturally, capitalism is the villain, requiring the project to shift in a more violent (and lucrative) direction. I love that the characters never feel like "stock scientists," and each has a strong, specific personality and plenty of quirks. The story itself presents a fascinating ethical quandary that kept my interest from beginning to end. Is there a point at which a neural network becomes advanced enough that it can't help but act human... and what if acting human is the issue? Fantastic play!

Character Information

  • Vanessa
    30-55,
    African American / Black
    ,
    Presents Female
  • Athena
    20-40,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    Artificially intelligent robot build to replace human law enforcement officers.
  • Richard
    30-55,
    Any
    ,
    Presents Male
  • Mary
    20-35,
    Any
    ,
    Presents Female
  • Chris
    20-35,
    Any
    ,
    Presents Male
  • Bill
    25-45,
    Any
    ,
    Any

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Hercules Theatre Company
    ,
    2019

Production History

  • Fringe
    ,
    Hercules Theatre Company
    ,
    2019