A new opera commissioned by the Bradford Opera Festival is drawing parallels between the Luddite movement of the early 19th century and contemporary concerns about artificial intelligence. Composer Ben Crick and librettist Kamal Kaan have created a work that tells two parallel stories: one set in 2030 about a tech entrepreneur who creates a humanoid AI, and another set in 1813 about Luddite leader George Mellor facing execution.
Crick, who was born in Huddersfield, argues that the Luddites are often misunderstood as simply being anti-technology. He notes that they first petitioned Parliament and asked mill owners to set up a poor fund for displaced workers before any violence occurred. 'They weren't trying to stop technology. What they were trying to do was stop the monopoly of the wealth that technology created being in the hands of a few people,' Crick said.
The composer believes that society is approaching a similar 'pinch point' with AI, and that lessons from the Luddite era could help avoid a descent into conflict. 'This question has been asked before – in the north of England. We found answers then which are not the ones we want to find this time. Let's learn from that history,' he said.
Crick acknowledges that AI cannot be stopped and that artists must adapt, but he expresses concern about AI's ability to replicate the creative process. 'A great part of our work is an amalgamation of previous generations and that's what AI is doing,' he said. The opera, which premieres in Yorkshire in November, aims to engage new audiences with topical themes.
