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<p>E.T.A. Hoffmann’s <i>The Sandman</i> (1816) mixed themes such as fear, eeriness and the darkening of the relationship between humans and automatons. <i>The Sandman</i> shows the possible emergence of human machines or so-called artificial intelligence (AI), which is indistinguishable from humans. The paper also looks at emerging and growing technologies, the ethics of artificial life and the nature of consciousness. The technical ability to create automata, developed at the end of the eighteenth century, fascinated nineteenth century authors such as Hoffmann. In <i>The Sandman</i>, Olimpia embodies the nineteenth century fascination with machines and mechanical beings that can imitate and interact with humans. Olimpia is the epitome of the modern concept of AI, in which machines simulate and control human behavior in various capacities. This paper is about how <i>The Sandman</i> anticipates the human ability to understand the nature of reality and technology. With the advent of mass media and the development of AI, I show how the protagonist Nathaniel complicates the conceptualization of the human subject. By relying on and compromising with technology, Nathaniel loses his humanity and turns himself into a madman. The paper also highlights the text and compares it to contemporary AI narratives. Fear and anxiety, reflections on the loss of humanity in the face of technological advancement and the potential of AI to surpass human intelligence are also discussed.</p>

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Rethinking Hoffmann’s The Sandman through the lens of AI: human being and robot

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月9日

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  • Chiinngaihkim Guite

摘要

E.T.A. Hoffmann’s The Sandman (1816) mixed themes such as fear, eeriness and the darkening of the relationship between humans and automatons. The Sandman shows the possible emergence of human machines or so-called artificial intelligence (AI), which is indistinguishable from humans. The paper also looks at emerging and growing technologies, the ethics of artificial life and the nature of consciousness. The technical ability to create automata, developed at the end of the eighteenth century, fascinated nineteenth century authors such as Hoffmann. In The Sandman, Olimpia embodies the nineteenth century fascination with machines and mechanical beings that can imitate and interact with humans. Olimpia is the epitome of the modern concept of AI, in which machines simulate and control human behavior in various capacities. This paper is about how The Sandman anticipates the human ability to understand the nature of reality and technology. With the advent of mass media and the development of AI, I show how the protagonist Nathaniel complicates the conceptualization of the human subject. By relying on and compromising with technology, Nathaniel loses his humanity and turns himself into a madman. The paper also highlights the text and compares it to contemporary AI narratives. Fear and anxiety, reflections on the loss of humanity in the face of technological advancement and the potential of AI to surpass human intelligence are also discussed.