‘Doomers’: The new play inspired by Sam Altman’s 2023 OpenAI ouster

The new play “Doomers” draws inspiration from Sam Altman’s brief removal as CEO of OpenAI in 2023, exploring the tensions surrounding artificial intelligence in Silicon Valley. The production uniquely credits AI chatbots ChatGPT and Claude as dramaturgical collaborators in its creation.

The production setup: Matthew Gasda directs this crisis-driven narrative that unfolds over a single night in San Francisco, centering on the aftermath of a tech CEO’s dismissal from a company called MindMesh.

• The story focuses on Seth, the ousted CEO played by Sam Hyrkin, as he schemes to reclaim his position while his company’s board grapples with the leadership vacuum
• The play joins a growing collection of theatrical works addressing artificial intelligence, including Ayad Akhtar’s “McNeal”

Key character dynamics: Seth emerges as an unlikeable protagonist whose behavior drives the narrative tension.

• The character is portrayed as a sociopathic figure lacking charisma, highlighted by his defiant declaration: “I will not compromise; I will not admit fault. I was fired for creating miracles”
• The board’s perspective remains unexplored until the second act, creating an intentional narrative imbalance

Structural analysis: The play’s organization reveals significant disparities in dramatic effectiveness.

• Act I, focusing on Seth’s immediate crisis, delivers the strongest dramatic content
• The second act introduces the board members but fails to maintain the momentum established earlier
• The narrative structure assumes audience investment without earning it, resulting in what the reviewer describes as a “self-indulgent quality”

Critical shortcomings: Despite its timely subject matter and innovative use of AI in its creation, the play struggles with fundamental storytelling elements.

• The production fails to achieve narrative coherence despite its provocative premise
• The incorporation of AI tools in the writing process appears more noteworthy as a technical curiosity than as a contributor to dramatic quality

Looking deeper: While “Doomers” represents an ambitious attempt to dramatize contemporary tech industry dynamics, its execution highlights the challenges of translating complex technological and corporate conflicts into compelling theater. The play’s shortcomings suggest that even with AI assistance, creating engaging drama about artificial intelligence requires more than just technological novelty.