Work

Indexical Collapse: Reference Disappears, Authority Remains in Predictive Systems

Year: 2025

Type: paratext

Abstract: This article introduces the concept of Indexical Collapse, the disappearance of reference in predictive systems. Indexical such as pronouns, demonstratives, and tenses presuppose a contextual anchor, yet predictive language models reproduce them without connection to reality. The outcome is a collapse of reference that paradoxically produces authority effects in law, medicine, and governance. By analyzing judicial transcripts, medical reports, institutional records, and chatbot interactions generated by AI, the paper proposes a framework for pragmatic auditing of predictive outputs. It establishes thresholds for acceptable referential absence in critical domains, positioning Indexical Collapse as a central category for evaluating the legitimacy of predictive discourse. DOI Primary archive: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17226412 Secondary archive: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.30233950 SSRN: Pending assignment (ETA: Q3 2025)

Source: Figshare

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17226411

Author: Startari, Agustin V.

Institutions: Universidad de la República de Uruguay, Universidad de la Empresa, University of Palermo

Language: English

Topic: Ethics and Social Impacts of AI

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7083706155

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