This November, the Performing Arts Department at Cedar Crest College presents Anthropology, a play exploring grief, technology, and family through the story of an AI programmer who creates a digital simulation of her missing sister.
Written by celebrated playwright Lauren Gunderson, Anthropology follows Merril, a leading Silicon Valley software engineer mourning the disappearance of her sister, Angie. After a year passes and the police search is abandoned, Merril takes matters into her own hands, using her sister’s digital footprint to create an artificial intelligence chatbot/simulation modeled after her.
“I can see how AI might be useful in helping the police to investigate a crime, compiling someone’s data, especially a missing person, but, at the same time, this feels like murky water to tread into regarding consent. I also wonder how one can truly heal from loss if they are substituting a living person with an AI?” questions Alana Rader, the play’s director.
While the virtual Angie initially brings Merril comfort, she gradually gains more independence, and unexpected details surrounding Angie’s disappearance arise. As the mystery unfolds, the boundaries between memory, grief, and technology become increasingly blurred.
Through these themes, Anthropology raises important ethical questions about how we use technology and navigate loss.
“Anthropology asks us to interrogate how we use AI. We have this technology at our fingertips, but what is the cost of using it?” says Alana.
Alana is passionate about directing new plays by female playwrights, and Anthropology, featuring an all-femme cast, feels especially timely and empowering to her.
“Anthropology is a play about sisterhood, grief, the perils of technology, and the messy nature of unconditional love,” says Alana. “I hope audiences leave witnessing the resilience of sisterhood and looking inward toward their own relationship with technology.”
Anthropology will run in Samuels Theatre at Cedar Crest College Thursday, Nov. 5 through Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased here.