Artificial Intelligence (AI) and contemporary performance: Developing an arts & humanities approach to AI

Interest in AI is being brought to bear on the world of the arts and humanities. In this issue, we examine and think about the implications of this for Performance. When we think about the humanities we often think about understandings that relate to the way that we experience the world and the way we think about culture. Questions arise not only about technological integration but also about how these systems mediate human expression, embodiment, creativity and human-machine interaction. These questions have guided our own work and provided the impetus for this special issue. Inspired by our earlier project, the AHRC-funded research network Theatre, A.I. and Ludic Technologies (nTA.I.L.), we set out to investigate the intersection between contemporary performance and artificial intelligence, through the lens of human-AI interaction and artistic practice. We also felt that in our current post-digital age, there is scope, novelty and timeliness in taking this interdisciplinary research approach; in particular when considering how contemporary artistic practices can question our relationship with these newly emerging AI technologies.