The sessions, held on 2 September, was part of one of the festival’s main themes: Theatre and Post-Globalization.
The discussion on the relationship between theatre and Artificial Intelligence (AI) brought together experts from Iraq, Kuwait, Egypt, and Lebanon, who explored both the opportunities and risks of using AI in the performing arts.
The discussion revealed that while AI can offer powerful tools for innovation, it also raises profound philosophical and practical concerns.
As theatre faces these changes, one central question emerged: can — or should — technology ever replace the human essence of art?
Some speakers described AI as a transformative tool that could open new creative horizons. Others warned that it threatens the very soul of theatre, weakening its emotional depth and human presence.
AI and post-human aesthetics
Montaha Tarek Hussein of Al-Mustansiriya University in Baghdad presented a paper exploring the intersection between AI and the human side of theatre texts.
She argued that although AI can produce structured narratives and sophisticated language, it lacks the emotional and philosophical depth of human writing. Human creativity, she stressed, is irreplaceable because AI depends on programming and has no genuine emotional insight.
Suleiman Mohamed Arti, an associate professor at the Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts in Kuwait, examined how AI is transforming theatre through tools such as robotics, augmented reality, and immersive stage design.
Referencing the work of artists such as Louis-Philippe Demers, he noted a shift toward "post-human" aesthetics, where technology challenges traditional performance practices.
While these tools can revolutionize stage design and interactivity, they also force a reconsideration of the actor’s role in performance.
Blending the physical and virtual
Abdul Karim Abboud, professor of theatre at the University of Basra, cautioned that the rapid growth of AI could sideline human creators if not carefully managed.
In his study "Artificial Intelligence and Theatrical Practices," he explored how AI enables hybrid performances that combine live actors with virtual elements.
He also highlighted AI’s growing impact on stage design, sound, and visual storytelling, arguing that this blending of physical and digital layers is shaping a new kind of interactive theatre.
AI and future of children’s theatre
Researcher Jihad El-Dinari focused on AI’s influence on children’s theatre, especially during the rise of online performances in the COVID-19 pandemic.
While AI-supported theatre offered creative solutions during lockdowns, she expressed concern that it reduced live, sensory experiences — a core part of children’s theatre.
She cautioned against relying too heavily on AI, as it could compromise both the educational value and emotional impact of theatre for young audiences.
Concluding the session, Sameh Mahran, professor at the Academy of Theatrical Arts in Cairo and president of the festival, issued a strong caution: overreliance on AI risks dulling human creativity.
He stressed that artistic imagination grows through challenge and active thinking — qualities that automation could weaken by encouraging intellectual laziness.
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