Hope and Spirituality of an AF in Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun

Abstract

It has long been believed that emotions are a distinctive feature of humans. In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly ingrained, it’s intriguing to consider a time when AI may feel emotions similar to those of human beings. AI systems’ evolution and incorporation of emotional quotient will result in AI that, when a new skill is mastered or a task is completed effectively, it might also feel happy or satisfied. This AI may experience feelings of sadness or disappointment, which, in theory, might motivate it to look for more effective solutions or to convey the severity of the problem more clearly. AI will probably have a stream of consciousness, the same as humans. Klara and the Sun (2021) by Kazuo Ishiguro is set in a future where artificial intelligence and human life meet. Human-like robots, known as “Artificial Friends” (AFs), are created to serve as companions for children. Klara, the central character, is an AF with a unique perspective on the world. The novel explores complex questions about what it means to be human and AI with emotional quotient. This research article attempts to analyze the novel’s underlying themes of hope and spirituality, particularly Klara’s belief in the sun, from the philosophical perspective of a humanoid.