Automating Empathy — Can We Finally Replace Artistic Performers with Machines?

Artist and robotic musician Moritz Simon Geist explores whether machines can convey emotions on stage like human performers, which techniques and structures can be used, and which implications this has for arts and culture.

Algorithms and machines are redefining how artworks are produced, while the performative aspects of music, theater, and live performances are still handled by humans. But for how long? In this talk, artist, researcher, and robotic musician Moritz Simon Geist asks a profound question: Can human empathy be automated? Can machines, robots, and avatars transfer emotions at the same level as human performers in music or theater?

Moritz provides an overview of the history of non-human performers in the arts and shares the state-of-the-art (no pun intended) current research in this field.

He discusses his personal artistic journey of combining engineering with art and talks about building robots that physically perform and play music. Highlighting projects like the “MR-808 Drum Robot” and automated installations like "Don't Look at Me", he examines what machines and avatars can and cannot do on stage when it comes to evoking human emotions.

Furthermore, Moritz explores whether technology can replicate aspects of human emotional transfer, what minimal structures are needed to evoke an emotional connection, and how the concept of the Uncanny Valley (proposed by Masahiro Mori) comes into play.

So - can we automate empathy? Let's find out!