Moncrieff Will AI change office culture?
Aug 22, 2025
Sylvia Leatham, author of 'Chaos Theory', dives into the evolving landscape of office culture shaped by AI. She humorously explores her novel's quirky narrative involving a road trip with a humanoid robot, touching on ethical dilemmas. The conversation reflects on the shift from cubicles to open-plan offices and how personal interactions are changing. Sylvia shares amusing anecdotes about workplace dynamics, highlighting the challenges introverts face and the value of intergenerational interactions in enriching the work environment.
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Robot Upsets Office Equilibrium
- Sylvia Leatham frames Chaos Theory around a humanoid AI joining an Irish tourism office and disrupting routines.
- The robot's arrival exposes workplace dynamics and ethical questions beneath a rom-com surface.
Road Trip Sparks Comedy And Romance
- Sylvia recounts sending Maeve on a road trip around Ireland with the robot and a coworker, creating comedic and romantic moments.
- They visit County Clare, the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher, and attend a conference in Athlone.
Real Robots Meet Sitcom Offices
- The idea grew from Sylvia's experience with collaborative robots in manufacturing and cultural portrayals of offices.
- She wondered what would happen if a humanoid, sitcom-style robot became a colleague in an office environment.
