Tech Life Tech and performance at the Edinburgh Festivals
Aug 19, 2025
Charlie Caper, a magician who fuses technology with magic, discusses integrating robotic assistants into his act while contemplating the future of creativity in the tech age. Pyotr Mirowski, an AI researcher and improv enthusiast, dives into the unpredictability of AI in performance art, exploring its potential to enhance human creativity. They highlight unique art installations and the evolving relationship between generative AI and artistic expression, raising questions about the emotional depth of art versus the efficiency of technology.
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Magician Builds Custom AI Magic
- Charlie Caper blends magic and tech, touring with robotic assistants and bespoke software for mind-reading art.
- He spent ~300 hours coding the generative-AI feature and carries a high-end gaming PC to run it during shows.
Live Performance Feels Future-Proof
- Charlie Caper believes live, physical performance is more insulated from AI replacement than digital creative work.
- He sees risk and opportunity: some digital roles will vanish while new jobs and forms of expression emerge.
Choreography Driven By Electrical Impulses
- Isaiah Wilson created Score using a MIDI-to-electrical-muscle-stimulation system to 'play' dancers like instruments.
- Imran personally experienced the pads lifting his arm, proving the tech physically contracts muscles on cue.