Karel Čapek was one of the first people who thought of a potential threat if machine-robot inventions happen too fast or without a regulation. Did he predict the threats of the 21st century? Or… are robots no danger for us? So far, robots can perform many quite easy tasks, but we want to challenge them!

To celebrate the centenary of invention of the word “robot” we wanted start a project to know if a robot can write a theatre play. Do you think artificial intelligence is able to create an enjoyable theatre script? Can a robot become a playwright like its own father Karel Čapek 100 years ago? We found out the answer on 26 February 2021 during a premiere of the first play written by AI titled “AI: When a Robot Writes a Play”. The play watched 18 450 devices (perhaps up to 30 000 people).

After the premiere, we allowed public to see this play online for a few days. Then – when COVID-19 allows it – we will bring the production to the stage of Švanda theatre in Prague. And perhaps elsewhere upon a discussion. The future of the project is still open but we will continue with the scientific research and then a premiere of a new play will be announced for 2022.

Why are we doing this? Most people do not know what today’s robots are capable of. Sometimes they fear robots’ abilities which are not real and sometimes they do not want to admit that we are surrounded by robots almost everywhere. We want to start a conversation about what robots of today can and cannot do and where they should and should not be used.