Remember Me, Not Save Me: A Collective Memory System for Evolving Virtual Identities in Augmented Reality

TL;DR

This paper introduces an AR and AI system that enables virtual identities to develop and express personality through collective dialogue, memory management, and cultural context, demonstrated in a public art deployment.

Contribution

It presents novel models for collective memory, ambient explainability, and cultural anchoring, advancing the creation of evolving digital identities in augmented reality environments.

Findings

Stable personality emergence from 2,500 interactions

Application of narrative tension mechanisms in memory modeling

Successful deployment at the 2024 Jinan Biennale

Abstract

This paper presents "Remember Me, Not Save Me," an AR & AI system enabling virtual citizens to develop personality through collective dialogue. Core innovations include: Dynamic Collective Memory (DCM) model with narrative tension mechanisms for handling contradictory memories; State-Reflective Avatar for ambient explainability; and Geo-Cultural Context Anchoring for local identity. Deployed at the 2024 Jinan Biennale, the system demonstrated stable personality emergence (ISTP type via Apply Magic Sauce analysis) from over 2,500 public interactions. We provide a framework for designing evolving digital entities that transform collective memory into coherent identity.