Magic in 2025: Illusion Meets New Tech

As Place des Arts is presenting Luc Langevin’s new show in July and August, we asked ourselves how the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) might be affecting the world of magic in 2025. As it turns out, magicians have more than one trick up their sleeve to keep audiences filled with wonder.

“If keeping secrets were the only thing that made magic work, our art form would have died out years ago. But the exact opposite is happening,” emphasizes magician and illusionist Stéphane Bourgoin.

Emerging AI technology doesn’t scare Bourgoin. The artist—who creates acts for many personalities, including Luc Langevin—believes that the reactions to AI are the same as those that occurred as Internet usage became democratized. “Yes, you can find anything on the web if you search for it. But just because you know how a trick works doesn’t mean you can reproduce it or understand its ins-and-outs.”

As an example, Bourgoin mentions David Copperfield’s famous 1983 illusion, when he made the Statue of Liberty disappear, live on television. “On the Internet, you can find about twenty explanations for each trick, but only one is correct.”

To date, AI is not changing the way tricks are designed either. “Maybe in five years I’ll think differently. But for now, AI is just a tool to provide inspiration and an idea of what a trick might look like by generating images to illustrate it.”

More Inclusive Magic… More Close-up Magic

Although women are taking on a growing role in the world of magic, there are still relatively few female magicians in Quebec, notes Stéphane Bourgoin. “When there are no female role models, it’s difficult for young girls to see themselves doing it.”

However, female magicians are putting together more cohesive shows. “Often, with men, there’s no common thread between the tricks. Everything is unconnected. But with women, it’s the opposite: there’s always a theme, some unity. Everything matches and holds together. Those who manage to pull it off are truly exceptional. Women are better than most men you see. If there were more well-known female magicians, there would probably be even more girls who would see magic as an option.”

Aspiring artists are increasingly moving away from larger illusions to focus on micromagic, which is performed close to the audience. “It’s simpler and it’s less expensive. You can easily start a YouTube channel by performing tricks, rather than spending thousands of dollars on illusion acts. That’s the new trend.”

One thing is certain: magic never ceases to amaze both young and old alike. “When I instantly make something disappear in my hand, there is an immediate reaction. In my opinion, that’s the quickest way to arouse this primary emotion in people. And it will never die.”