Jasima

Jasima is a simulation of language evolution using AI agents in conversation with one another.

Abstract

Jasima is a project that explores the evolution of language in the context of artificial intelligence. Current artificial intelligence conversational capabilities are nearly indistinguishable from similar human output, as text-based intelligences like ChatGPT can not only facilitate exchanges with a person in back and forth exchanges, but can also reason, think, and make decisions on how to respond based on that reasoning and thinking. Such capability implies a unique opportunity for novel complexity and emergence of language evolution to take place. This project intends to explore the idea of language’s infinite capacity to symbolize meaning through evolution, founded upon these new intelligences’ ability to enable unfathomable and new expressions.

The project consists of several conversational agent models communicating with one another, working together to evolve the constructed language called “Toki Pona” created by Sonja Lang. Pairs of agents discuss in sequential layers of exchanges about how they should go about making changes to the language’s phonetics, grammar, dictionary, and writing system. Three vertical monitors sit atop a table in a semi-circle formation displaying information of their exchanges, which include the chat log, the language’s evolving specifications, a constantly updating dictionary, and a visualization of two agents discussing and evolving the writing system.

Agents that are in interaction with solely and only each other communicating through the medium of text to evolve a language presents a unique view into the way an artificial entity with human-like language capabilities, the agents, develop their own artificial entity, the language. Past research has not fully explored the use of sophisticated, consumer-oriented large language models in language evolution contexts, and has also not done so in a constructed language context. This project seeks to take a first step in exploring this direction.

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