Artificial Intelligence Discussion to Follow 'Smart Love' Performance

From the Purple Rose Theatre Company: A panel of experts will discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI) following The Purple Rose Theatre’s performance of “Smart Love” on Thursday, Feb. 16. Audience members are invited to participate in this enhanced talk-back.

“Smart Love,” a world premiere by Michigan playwright Brian Letscher, is the darkly comedic story of a brilliant young man struggling with his father’s sudden death and the revelation that his parents’ marriage wasn’t everything he was led to believe. The play explores the implications and possible ramifications of AI and science in general with humor, heartache and potentially devastating consequences. It probes the age-old question: just because we can do a thing, should we?

The discussion, which begins immediately after the 8 p.m. performance, will feature a host of leading experts from the AI community, as well as business and education fields, including:

• Randolph M. Jones, PhD, co-founder of Soar Technology, Inc.
• Dr. Robert Pasick, author, organizational psychologist and lecturer, University of Michigan Ross School of Business and Center for Entrepreneurship; founder and president, LeadersConnect
• Dr. Satinder Singh Baveja, professor of computer science & engineering; director, UM Artificial Intelligence Lab hosting the U-M/IBM Project Sapphire
• Michael Kizer, advisor, Chelsea High School FIRST Robotics teams
• Marka Eberle, Chelsea Middle School Robotics
• Josh Nichols, educator, UM MiSTEM advisory board; director, Spring Arbor University CrossBraining Project
• Ronney B. Mourad, professor of theology, Albion College

Bart Bund, a professional ethicist, will serve as moderator. He is an actor, filmmaker and founder of the Blackbird Theatre. Kevin Thompson, director of North American marketing at IBM-Commerce Mobile & Social, in lieu of attending, will provide contextual commentary to be woven into the discussion.

“Smart Love” director Guy Sanville and playwright Brian Letscher also will join the discussion. Along with the audience, the panel will discuss the roles humans play in embracing AI technologies, how we adapt to them and more.

Ticket holders are invited to arrive early to view a demonstration from the Chelsea Schools Robotics Team “bots” (enhanced by AI), a video of exciting new AI applications, 3-D printer demonstrations, and an exhibit of cell phone technology through the ages.

The panel discussion will be recorded and made available for use in middle school, high school, and higher education classrooms.

This event is made possible by the support of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Chelsea Community Foundation, Soar Technology and Neil & Annmarie Hawkins.

Ticket Information

Tickets for the Feb. 16 performance and panel discussion are $27. “Smart Love” performances run through Saturday, March 4. Ticket prices range from $20.50 to $46 with special discounts for students, seniors, teachers, members of the military and groups. For more information or to make reservations call (734) 433-7673 or go here. All performances will be held at The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park Street, Chelsea, Michigan 48118.

Photos courtesy of the Purple Rose Theatre Company