In 2018, I managed the team responsible for creating an innovative escape room experience for the São Paulo Book Biennial. The concept invited visitors to solve the mystery of the disappearance of Professor ADA, an AI specialist. Throughout the experience, participants interacted with artificial intelligence to uncover clues, offering a hands-on understanding of how the technology works in practice. The escape room accommodated up to 10 participants at a time, with each session lasting 10 minutes.
To enhance the experience, we integrated four key AI resources:
- Facial and Emotion Recognition: While waiting in line, visitors interacted with AI technology that identified their age, gender, and emotions.
- ChatBot (Virtual Assistant): Inside the escape room, participants asked the bot for hints to solve the next clue. Our team trained the bot to handle a wide range of responses, including strategic answers for unexpected questions like those about football or random topics, ensuring a smooth and engaging experience.
- Computer Vision: This tool helped with image recognition and extracting information from visual clues.
- Speech-to-Text: The technology assisted in translating other languages, ultimately helping participants unravel the mystery.
The project was a success, blending storytelling, technology, and interactivity to create a memorable and educational experience for visitors. It showcased how AI could be both functional and engaging in real-world applications.
This initiative was featured in several media outlets, highlighting its impact and innovation: