Pigeon Fool

UNSW Centre for Ideas

Part game show, part Turing Test, part existential crisis. Can you spot the AI bot?

Io Myers Studio, Esme Timbery Creative Practice Lab

The first ever robot was a steam powered pigeon made in 400 BCE. While the pigeons may have been fooled, are humans quite so easy? In a world where robots are becoming more human and humans are becoming more robotic, the line between the two is increasingly blurred.Pigeon Fool is a half-hour theatrical Turing Test meets game show, exploring humanness in the midst of the AI revolution. This new interactive tabletop theatre work blends cunning algorithms and virtual beings to put its audience to the test. Humans must recognise each other, while the bots try to pass undetected. In a game of creativity, self-analysis and connection, will anyone believe you when your humanity gets put to the test?Check out the Pigeon Fool 2025 trailer <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVOkPxrGnhU" title="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVOkPxrGnhU" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here</a>.

<h3>Will AI be a Force for Good or a Force to be Reckoned With?</h3>Join award-winning investigative journalist Karen Hao as she unpacks the rise of OpenAI and their race for global dominance in <a href="https://unswcentreforideas.com/event/karen-hao-empire-ai" title="https://unswcentreforideas.com/event/karen-hao-empire-ai" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Karen Hao: Empire of AI</a> on Thursday, 4 September. <h3>Tickets</h3>General Public | $15UNSW Student, Staff &amp; Alumni | $5*Plus booking fees <h3>Event Information</h3>Show Times<ul><li>Tuesday 2 September | 4.30pm – 7.30pm</li><li>Wednesday 3 September | 11.30am – 7.30pm</li><li>Thursday 4 September | 11.30am – 8.15pm</li><li>Friday 5 September | 11.30am – 7.30pm</li><li>Saturday 6 September | 10am – 3.30pm</li></ul>Duration35 minsLockoutThis performance has a complete lockout. Patrons arriving after the start of show time will not be admitted.VenueThe <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Esme+Timbery+Creative+Practice+Lab+(D8)/@-33.9160482,151.2254129,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x6b12b153edb32b07:0x80bfbb60fd1aa7f0!8m2!3d-33.9160482!4d151.2276016!16s%2Fg%2F11jmzclk6f?coh=164777&entry=tt&shorturl=1" title="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Esme+Timbery+Creative+Practice+Lab+(D8)/@-33.9160482,151.2254129,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x6b12b153edb32b07:0x80bfbb60fd1aa7f0!8m2!3d-33.9160482!4d151.2276016!16s%2Fg%2F11jmzclk6f?coh=164777&entry=tt&shorturl=1" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Io Myers Studio</a> is located inside the Esme Timbery Creative Practice Lab at UNSW Sydney's Kensington Campus.WarningsPigeon Fool occurs in a dark room and involves movement in and out of the theatre space. There are some lighting effects, including strobe lighting, and the performance relies on sound design and dialogue channelled through over-ear headphones each participant wears. Please take this into consideration when booking tickets if you are hard of hearing or use hearing aids/other auditory assistance devices.Age Recommendation10+<h3> </h3><h3>Access</h3>Wheelchair AccessThe closest accessible drop-off point to the Io Myers Studio is via Gate 2, High Street (<a href="https://www.events.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/Io%20Myers%20-%20Wayfinding%20Map%202023_compressed.pdf" title="https://www.events.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/Io%20Myers%20-%20Wayfinding%20Map%202023_compressed.pdf" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">highlighted pink on this map</a>) and turn right at the roundabout. The entrance is immediately on your left under the concrete steps, opposite the University Terraces Car Park. More information on getting there can be found via our interactive accessibility map available <a href="https://link.mazemap.com/GsHCD8yO" title="https://link.mazemap.com/GsHCD8yO" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here</a>. <h3>Parking &amp; Public Transport</h3>The Esme Timbery Creative Practice Lab is easily accessible via public transport. For more information please call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 or visit <a href="https://transportnsw.info/" title="https://transportnsw.info/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">transportnsw.info</a>.Paid casual and visitor parking is offered via the CellOPark App and ‘pay by plate meters’ in all UNSW car parks. For more information head <a href="https://www.estate.unsw.edu.au/getting-here/parking-campus" title="https://www.estate.unsw.edu.au/getting-here/parking-campus" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here</a>, and the closest carparks are University Terraces and the Western Campus Car Park. <h3>Contact</h3>For all the other enquiries, please email <a href="https://www.centreforideas.com/contact-us" title="https://www.centreforideas.com/contact-us" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">centreforideas@unsw.edu.au</a> or call the Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485.The Centre for Ideas is happy to receive phone calls via the <a href="https://www.accesshub.gov.au/about-the-nrs" title="https://www.accesshub.gov.au/about-the-nrs" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">National Relay Service</a>. TTY users, phone 133 677, then ask for 02 9065 0485. Speak and Listen users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 02 9065 0485. For more information on all other relay calls visit <a href="https://www.accesshub.gov.au/about-the-nrs/nrs-call-numbers-and-links" title="https://www.accesshub.gov.au/about-the-nrs/nrs-call-numbers-and-links" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here</a>. <h3>Counterpilot</h3>Counterpilot is an award-winning collective of interdisciplinary artists based in Meanjin/Magandjin (Brisbane, Australia). Counterpilot is directed by Nathan Sibthorpe, with core creatives Christine Felmingham and Mike Willmett, and creative producer Elizabeth Hunt. Together, they create interactive performance works – activating audiences with new technology, rich design, and transmedia storytelling.Pigeon Fool has been proudly supported by Queensland Museum and World Science Festival Brisbane, Soulbotix, Experience Gold Coast’s INCUBATE Residency Program, Metro Arts, and Brisbane Powerhouse.

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