Lunchtime Talk
Fri 27 May 2022 13:00-14:00 at Pervasive Media Studio Event Space
Dramatic Conversational AI
In this talk, participatory dramatist, Rik Lander and conversational AI designer, Phil D Hall discuss their live show I am Echoborg which adapts each time based on audience conversations with an artificial intelligence.

Image Credit: Rik Lander and Phil D Hall
Speakers

Rik Lander
Rik Lander is maker of interactive and participatory media currently focussing on conversational systems. I am Echoborg (2016-present) is a theatre experience created afresh each time by an audience in conversation with an artificial intelligence. Based on a social psychology concept, it exemplifies…Phil D Hall
Phil D Hall is a time served maker and fixer of all kinds of things. His current passion is conversational AI which he kicked off in 1982, had an argument with an AI in a bar in 1997 and has delivered professionally pretty much ever since.This talk will be BSL Interpreted and will be held in the building and online! Book your free ticket here.
Since 2016, participatory dramatist, Rik Lander, and conversational AI designer, Phil D Hall, have been developing I am Echoborg. This is a funny, thought-provoking live show created afresh each time by the audience in conversation with an artificial intelligence. It builds on the ideas of social psychologists Corti & Gillespie who devised the term, echoborg.
Hall and Lander will reveal some of the powerful, amusing and disturbing psychological and dramatic effects within the show and how these have consequences for all of us as AI is used to make decisions on our behalf in many aspects of our lives. For the technically minded we’ll also lift the lid for a glimpse at the inner workings and position a methodology where algorithms meet humans and play together nicely.
Image Credit: Jim Roper
Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday 27th May 2022 at 1pm for the talk and to take part in the discussion afterwards.
The lunchtime talks are partly supported by MyWorld, a project led by the University of Bristol to support creative industries in the region.
Address:
Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX
Directions:
The Lunchtime talks take place in the Pervasive Media Studio Event Space. To access the Studio, please go to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance and go upstairs to the Café Bar. Walk across the cafe bar, turn right and walk towards the double doors. Go through into the corridor and walk all the way down until you reach the Studio. A member of staff will sign you in, and check your ticket, if you have booked.
The Studio is wheelchair accessible, and the events space has a hearing loop. The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted.
*Please note this is a hybrid event and will be live streamed so please be aware you will be in the live broadcast and recording when watching in the Studio.