Artificial Empathy in Divinatory Interaction: The Case of “SelfJourneon”
摘要
This paper reexamines AI-powered divination not as a predictive tool, but as a symbolic and emotional interface. While existing systems reduce divination to deterministic output, traditional practices like Tarot operate as rituals of self-reflection, rich in metaphor and ambiguity. We introduce “SelfJourneon,” a prototype that integrates artificial empathy with the archetypal grammar of the Tarot. By positioning AI as a divinatory companion rather than an oracle, “SelfJourneon” fosters emotionally resonant dialogues through visual-symbolic interaction. Drawing from Jungian psychology, Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, and recent research in affective computing, we argue for a reconfiguration of AI–human interaction centered on narrative co-construction and emotional attunement. This study proposes that large language models, when designed for symbolic participation, may serve as vessels for collective unconscious material–transforming AI into a mythopoetic guide for introspection. We present the system’s design and interaction flow to demonstrate how AI can embody ambiguity and support participatory meaning-making through ritualized interface.