On Friday, May 23, 2025, a day after the theater performance of The Third Voice and the panel discussion that took place at the Amerikahaus, a diverse group of participants gathered at the TUM Think Tank for a closed debriefing session.
The meeting provided space to reflect, network and celebrate the culmination of the MoralPLai Project, an ambitious interdisciplinary initiative led by the Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (IEAI) and supported by an international team of experts from the University of Notre Dame, metaLAB (at) Harvard and the Technical University of Munich.
After the Applause: The Third Voice Unpacked
Participants were invited to reflect not only on the performance and panel discussion, but on the full arc of the project – from its initial concept to its final production. This was not merely a retrospective, but an open invitation to consider what had been learned, what resonated and where this bold experiment might lead next.
Beyond reflection, the event fostered a meaningful connection. For over three hours, the room buzzed with conversation as panelists, researchers, actors, students and collaborators from across disciplines came together to share ideas, challenge traditional academic boundaries and discuss ways to make research more accessible to the broader audience.
And finally, it was time to celebrate. With food and drinks, participants toasted the successful completion of The Third Voice, but also the creative teamwork and collaboration that made it all possible.
The session opened with introductions, setting the tone for an open and dynamic exchange. The room brought together the MoralPLai Project Lead, Dr Franziska Poszler; The Third Voice Director, Prof. Carys Kresny; one of the Project’s Partners, Prof. Felix Mayer; invited speakers from Canada and the United Kingdom, who also took part in the panel discussion that followed the performance at the Amerikahaus, Dr Edmond Awad and Prof. George Belliveau; Communications Consultant of the Project and core member of the MoralPLai team, Anastasia Aritzi; Stage Manager, Emma Hoffmann; actors Mirjam Novak, Swaraj Oturkar, Ravi Rege, Eva Riekenbrauck and Joanna Semmelrogge; the ProLehre team member appointed for topics such as laboratory didactics, hybrid teaching, AI in teaching, cross-location teaching concepts, presentation and storytelling at TUM, Denis Sedlmeier; IEAI Researcher, Auxane Boch and three Student Assistants: Duaa Bahleeem, Mohamed Amine Essayem and Seifeddine Haddad. Keyvan Maleki, CEO of the Community Circle™, an independent federal not-for-profit center of excellence based in Canada, joined the debriefing session as an external observer.
The debriefing session in a nutshell
Participants engaged in a lively reflection on the process, the challenges and the transformative power of merging research with theater. At the heart of the project was an educational approach that was widely appreciated by the participants; not only for its innovation but for being firmly rooted in three essential pillars: reliability, relevance and relatability. This unique blend made the experience both intellectually and emotionally stimulating.
Actors and creatives described the journey as deeply immersive; an experience that not only challenged them artistically but also expanded their understanding of complex societal issues. Many highlighted how the project successfully bridged generational perspectives on artificial intelligence, weaving together emotional storytelling with urgent ethical questions.
The project team members shared reflections on the behind-the-scenes journey, from navigating institutional red tape to overcoming funding constraints. Despite these obstacles, the project was seen as a powerful catalyst that can further encourage academia to embrace science communication not as an add-on, but as a central part of research impact – especially in research domains with far-reaching societal impact, such as AI ethics and the responsible design and use of AI systems.
For both students and invited experts, the project was a bold experiment, blending traditional theater with some of the most urgent questions regarding the integration and use of AI in people’s everyday lives. Carefully crafted sound design and a strong narrative structure helped bring the performance to life, earning praise for its emotional impact and artistic quality. For the majority of the participants, it was their first time engaging with research-based theater and the excitement it generated showed a clear interest in more cross-disciplinary projects like this.
MoralPLai was described as a powerful proof of concept to foster AI literacy: a reminder that creativity is not just a bonus in research, it is essential. And in order to tackle complex challenges and reach wider audiences, research can not just inform. It has to inspire, educate and engage.
One of the core discussion points centered around the audience. How can theater move beyond passive viewing to invite participation, dialog and deeper engagement around society’s interaction with AI systems? Themes such as echo chambers, public trust, political relevance and balancing meaning with entertainment were central to this exchange. The group reflected on strategies and ways to ensure performances like The Third Voice not only inform but also provoke critical conversation.
Collaborative Group Sessions
To foster focused discussions, attendees were divided into four groups, each addressing a thematic category:
- Artistic and Theatrical Aspects
- Pedagogical and Educational Impact
- AI Ethics and System Design
- Research Communication and Public Engagement
Each group selected a set of guiding questions to reflect on. Examples included: Was there a particular scene or moment that had a strong impact on you? Why? (Category 1): Was the play/event accessible and meaningful to people with varying levels of prior knowledge? (Category 2): Do you have suggestions for system features to include, or useful guidelines or instructions for users? (Category 3): Was the connection between scientific research and the theatrical narrative clear and engaging? (Category 4): Participants shared their reflections on sticky notes, which were then presented to the wider group.
On behalf of the MoralPLai team, a heartfelt thank you to all who joined and shared their views and ideas during the debriefing session. The team will carefully review the feedback provided and incorporate it into future planning.
Visit the MoralPLai Project webpage to learn more and stay tuned for updates!