Research-based theater: An innovative method for communicating and co-shaping AI ethics research & development
Should we rely on AI for emotional support? Can we trust it with our most personal decisions? Can AI provide moral guidance?
About the Project
The MoralPLai Project implements a creative approach to conducting, educating, and communicating AI Ethics research through the lens of the arts. Using research-based theater as a core method, the project investigates, communicates and reflects on current AI Ethics research in a way that resonates with both expert and public audiences. At the center of the project is an inquiry into how AI chatbots shape ethical decision-making. Through expert interviews, the team examines their potential benefits and risks, broader societal implications, and the system requirements needed for their responsible development and use. These findings are published in academic journals and also transformed into a theatrical performance to engage wider audiences and promote AI literacy.
Namely, The Third Voice, the research-based play developed as part of the project, dramatizes the ethical and emotional tensions of using AI chatbots as moral advisors. It follows the story of a doctor and her daughter, both of whom consult a chatbot in a morally complex situation. The performance invites the public into a critical conversation about the role of AI in our lives, blending narration and research to spark reflection and dialog. The Third Voice premiered on May 22nd, 2025, at the Amerikahaus in Munich, followed by a poll, a panel discussion and an open Q&A session to deepen engagement with the themes of the play.
About the Fellow
Franziska Poszler, Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Vienna, Chair for Philosophy of Media and Technology. Her research focuses on AI ethics, value-sensitive design, moral psychology, and creative science communication, with an emphasis on the interplay between AI, decision-making, and morality.
