How to use technology responsibly? Learn at this unique immersive event

You retain more of what you see than what you simply read about and even more of what you experience firsthand stated American educator Edgar Dale in 1946 Itrsquos what we widely recognise as the Cone of Experience today In times saturated with discussions essays and books on the perils of Artificial Intelligence AI data mining and cybersecurity it might be the right time to look back at the humble cone Immerse a studio for impactful immersive experiences at Storiculture is joining forces with the cityrsquos Famous Studios this weekend to offer an immersive firsthand experience of responsible technology titled She Moves Tech House of Play a convergence of responsible technology and genderMurthovic and Thiruda extreme left at a previous performanceFor Sonia Parekh head of Impact and Immersive Experiences Storiculture the idea germinated from her observations of how digital responsibility is talked about in the world today ldquoMost of the educational discourse around trolling deepfakes and identity theft is often plain boring or even worse reactionary and panicinducingrdquo she shares over a phone call amidst setting the venue up She adds ldquoWe wanted to create something that engages the participants entertains them but also leaves them with essential learnings about being safer on the Internet at the end of the dayrdquoAn installation of retro devicesTo that end the experience unfolds like an interactive play beginning with the familiar practice of exchanging your real identity for a username and acquiring introductory data coins All transactions inside the venue including game booths bars and shops are facilitated by this fictional physical currency While the idea of exchanging imaginary currency for experiences sounds fun therersquos more to it than meets the eye ldquoSpending data coins acts as a subtle reminder of the risks behind our untamed escapades on the internet often fuelled by blindly agreeing to conditions and disclosures Nothing is ever truly free of cost Your data in all probability is someone elsersquos currencyrdquo Parekh revealsThe studio displays a retrofuturistic vibe with popup installationsAt the centre of the experience are arcade games that await the users inside the main studio each focusing on an aspect of responsible technology While lsquoSpot the deepfakersquo puts your eye for authenticity to the test through a series of images lsquoWhatrsquos in the boxrsquo teaches you about the complexities of placing your trust in voices online A data labelling game titled Captcha and the story behind it are the clear standouts for us Parekh reveals that during her research leading up to the event the team learned about the existence of a group of tribal women in Jharkhand who have been working in labelling the data behind the infamous Captcha filters that we all use ldquoWe were amazed by how tribal knowledge converged with tech for such a group to exist The arena will be peppered with similar notes of women doing great things in the field of technologyrdquo Parekh sharesAnant Roongta and Sonia ParekhTo accommodate such experiences the studio itself has taken on a new avatar that is familiar yet unusual at the same time The 77yearold studio has undergone a retrofuturistic revamp with retro Bollywood posters and motifs lining the walls alongside futuristic props ldquoWhile the tech installations set the tone for the experience the Bollywood elements were added as a hat tip to the studiorsquos legacyrdquo Parekh shares Anant Roongta managing director Famous Studios is all for the studio turning into an immersive playground ldquoWith our decades of experience itrsquos time to embrace new forms of events In fact we plan to launch The Warehouse at Famous a new IP that provides a techenabled space for events like this soonrdquo he revealsAmong these new forms is a 1970sthemed 360degree audiovisual concert experience by artiste duo Murthovic and Thiruda that will come alive towards the end of the night The dance party which Parekh calls the afterafterparty will feature a blend of electronic music with hints of ancient Indian music supported by surreal visuals depicting the role of women in tech in the futureAs Parekh prepares to get back to setting up the event she informs us that the night also includes a bar popup VR installations a makeover booth and a midnight bazaar waiting to be explored at the venue In all fairness that might just be more experiences than one can possibly retainON April 13 6 pm onwardsAT Famous Studios Dr E Moses Road Gandhi Nagar MahalaxmiLOG ON TO immerseimpactENTRY Rs 1970