TIME, TECHNOLOGY, AND IDENTITY: "EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON IDENTITY AND MEMORY IN THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE."

Abstract

This paper explores the interplay of time, technology, and identity in Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife, focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on concepts of memory and self. The narrative, which intertwines non-linear time lines and the complexities of time travel, prompts a reevaluation of how identity is formed and sustained in a world increasingly influenced by technological advancements. As the protagonist, Henry, experiences life out of sequence, his interactions with technology—both in the form of time travel and the implications of AI highlight the fragility and fluidity of memory. This analysis examines how the characters' identities are shaped not only by their memories but also by the technological contexts in which they exist. The paper argues that AI, as a reflection of human thought and emotion, complicates the traditional understanding of memory as a fixed repository of the past. Instead, it becomes a dynamic process influenced by external technological factors. By comparing the characters' experiences with contemporary discussions on AI and identity, this study sheds light on the potential consequences of AI on personal and collective memory. Ultimately, it posits that in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, our understanding of who we are and how we remember may be irrevocably transformed, echoing the novel’s themes of love, loss, and the perpetual quest for connection across time. This research contributes to ongoing discussions in literary studies, philosophy, and science and technology studies, offering insights into the complex intersections between time, technology, and human experience. By examining the implications of AI on memory and identity, this study provides a nuanced understanding of the human condition in the digital age.