Emma Hoffmann, student at the Department of Educational Sciences and Rehabilitation at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), is part of the latest cohort of student assistants and volunteers supporting the successful implementation of the MoralPLai Project. Explore her reflections on key project topics and discover what inspired her to join the team.
What inspired you to join the MoralPLai project?
AI can support processes of reflection, but not replace them. In my theater studies, I have already explored the intersection of performance and emerging technologies. This project is particularly compelling because it addresses urgent ethical questions around AI that increasingly affect the performing arts. I see it as a valuable opportunity to deepen my understanding of AI while contributing a theater studies perspective to the discourse.
What are your thoughts on combining research with the arts?
Theater has long served as a medium for addressing socially relevant issues on both intellectual and emotional levels. Its ability to translate complex topics into accessible, sensory experiences makes it especially suitable for engaging with future-oriented themes like AI. Combining research and the arts not only makes abstract content more tangible, but also opens up new perspectives that enrich both fields.
How comfortable would you feel taking guidance from AI on a personal issue?
I primarily use AI as a tool for research and quick access to information, always with a critical mindset. Especially with personal or sensitive issues, I would never rely solely on AI. In such cases, I consult other sources and trust my own judgment. Nonetheless, I see value in the input AI can provide—it can offer new perspectives or prompt reflection, as long as it remains part of a broader decision-making process.
Would you consider relying on AI for advice in a moral dilemma?
In moral dilemmas, I would use AI primarily as a tool to gain additional perspectives. While it can encourage new ways of thinking, I rely on my own moral judgment and critically assess any input it provides. AI can support reflection, but not replace it—especially when it comes to ethical decision making. Any advice offered by AI must be carefully examined before being taken into account.
What role do you think creativity plays in exploring complex ethical questions around AI?
Creativity allows us to question assumptions and explore alternative ways of thinking. Theater, in particular, provides a space where ethical questions around AI can be experienced—not just intellectually, but emotionally and physically. This multisensory engagement is one of theater’s greatest strengths. It enables us to approach the ethical complexities of artificial intelligence in a way that goes beyond factual analysis and opens up new, embodied forms of understanding.
Visit the MoralPLai Project webpage to learn more and stay tuned for updates!
