Tamara Rojo on AI, Ballet, and a $60m Silicon Valley Donation

In her first UK interview since becoming director of San Francisco Ballet, Tamara Rojo discusses dancing with a robot, the role of AI in ballet, and a transformative $60m donation from Silicon Valley. Rojo, a former English National Ballet artistic director, took over San Francisco Ballet in 2022. She describes an experience dancing with a robot, noting there was 'no tenderness.' The $60m donation, from an unnamed Silicon Valley source, is one of the largest in the company's history and will fund new productions and technology integration. Rojo also addresses the balance between tradition and innovation, emphasizing that technology should enhance, not replace, human artistry. The interview coincides with San Francisco Ballet's upcoming season, which includes works exploring AI and human interaction.