When does the very group that builds America’s global competitive edge become a victim of its own creations? How will minority groups navigate the moral and ethical dilemmas of our data-driven age? Arena Stage’s latest production, “Data,” directed by Margot Bordelon and written by Matthew Libby, dives into these questions, exploring a world where technology and ethics clash. With Asians comprising the second largest demographic of tech workers, the play raises pertinent questions about the significant role of minority groups in Silicon Valley’s workforce: over 70% of H-1B visas issued by the U.S. go to Indian software engineers, and, according to the BBC, 40% of all foreign-born engineers in tech hubs like Seattle hail from India.
…delivers strong performances and manages to balance complex tech jargon with accessible, thought-provoking dialogue, making its themes engaging for audiences beyond the tech sphere.
The story centers on Maneesh (Karan Brar) and Alex Chang (Rob Yang), skilled immigrant tech workers whose expertise fuels Athena’s advanced AI system. These characters face an ethical dilemma as they are tasked with creating an AI system for the U.S. Government that automates decisions on who can stay in the U.S., who must leave, and who will be granted future visas. This depiction of how technology, surveillance, and immigration policy intersect resonates deeply with modern social and political issues, making this dystopian setting an unsettling mirror of reality. President-elect Donald Trump’s proposals, which include denaturalization and expanded deportation efforts, echo similar themes. The potential for government agencies like NOAA to undergo privatization, as highlighted in Project 2025’s policy proposals, raises timely questions about public trust, government control, and the encroachment of corporate interests.
Maneesh’s internal struggle between “doing the right thing” or “washing his hands clean” mirrors real-life ethical dilemmas faced by tech employees who must balance innovation with responsibility. The set design, with its cold, abstract feel and pulsing neon lights, enhances this atmosphere of clinical detachment in Athena’s data-driven environment. The minimalist setting resembles the interior of a sterile shipping container, amplified by Dan Kluger’s blend of ambient tech sounds and sci-fi music, which heightens the play’s tension and anxiety.
Noah—a self-centered, mediocre White man willing to rise at any cost—offers a sharp critique of the political landscape. His ambition and willingness to betray ethical values underscore a warning for the audience about power and trust, although the portrayal risks reinforcing racial divides in a way that may be overly simplistic.
“Data” delivers strong performances and manages to balance complex tech jargon with accessible, thought-provoking dialogue, making its themes engaging for audiences beyond the tech sphere. The play invites everyone in IT and business to reflect on the ethical boundaries we should individually uphold and sparks crucial discussions about the future of AI.
Running Time: Approximately one hour and 30 minutes without intermission.
Advisory: Includes the use of herbal cigarettes, flashing lights, and haze.
“Data” runs through December 15, 2024, at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth Street SW, Washington, DC 20024. For more information and to purchase tickets, please call the Box Office at 202-488-3300 Tuesday – Sunday, noon – 8 p.m., or go online.
