The Theme of Isolation in Robinson Crusoe: AI Treatment

Abstract

This research investigates the theme of isolation in Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, drawing connections to contemporary experiences of solitude shaped by interactions with artificial intelligence (AI). Crusoe’s physical and emotional separation on a deserted island is reexamined through the lens of modern digital loneliness, particularly in the context of human engagement with artificial intelligence (AI) companions such as chatbots, virtual assistants, and social robots. The study will highlight parallels between Crusoe’s adaptive strategies for survival and the coping mechanisms employed by individuals in technologically saturated environments. It argues that while artificial intelligence (AI) systems offer simulated companionship, they often deepen the emotional divide by replacing them rather than restoring human connection. The paper also engages with ethical concerns surrounding the delegation of emotional labor to machines and the implications for human identity and agency. By bridging literary analysis with contemporary technological discourse, this research offers a multidisciplinary perspective on how narratives of isolation endure and evolve in an age increasingly defined by artificial intelligence.