Molière Ex Machina: AI used to create ‘new work’ by beloved French playwright | AI (artificial intelligence)

Molière Ex Machina: AI used to create ‘new work’ by beloved French playwright | AI (artificial intelligence)

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/may/11/moliere-ex-machina-ai-create-new-work-france-equivalent-shakespeare

Publish Date: 2026-05-11 08:36:00

Source Domain: www.theguardian.com

• Molière’s style has been revived using artificial intelligence (AI) by scholars at Sorbonne University in Paris for an experimental play titled L’Astrologue ou les Faux Présages (The Astrologer, or False Omens).
• The AI tool, Le Chat, collaborated with a team of researchers including artists and linguists, creating a dialogue, music, costumes, and scenery inspired by Molière’s style.
• The production, called Molière Ex Machina, involved about 20,000 exchanges between researchers and the AI, demonstrating the “intellectual ping pong” required to develop the play.
• The experiment successfully created a believable dialogue as noted by critics, raising discussions about the current relevance of astrology and manipulation.
• Plans are in place to perform the play across France and internationally, with the aim of demonstrating creative collaboration between AI and human authors.