The “Fantastic” (Re)Construction of the Past: An Analysis of Memory and Artificial Intelligence in the Series Fantástico — 50 Anos

Abstract

This study analyses how artificial intelligence serves as a mediator in the reconstruction of historical narratives in television journalism and examines the symbolic and ethical impacts this use has on collective memory. To this end, the study analyses the first episode of the series Fantástico — 50 Anos, which uses artificial intelligence to reconstruct the inaugural programme lost in a fire in 1976. In addition to technological recreations, the episode’s narrative incorporates memories and testimonials from people directly involved at the time, exploring the links between individual and collective memory. The overall objective is to understand how artificial intelligence serves as a mediator in the preservation and re-signification of historical narratives, assessing its relevance in terms of simplicity, practicality, and symbolic impact in the construction of collective memory. The methodology employed is content analysis, complemented by a theoretical approach based on authors such as Halbwachs, Pollak, Huyssen, Beiguelman, and Scolari, who discuss the dynamics of memory, forgetting, and digital technologies. The results indicate that, although artificial intelligence is a tool for simulating and recreating the past, its performance depends on a narrative structure that articulates human testimonies and historical contexts to resonate emotionally with the audience. In addition, we found that recreations promote both an affective reconnection with the past and a sense of strangeness resulting from the artificiality derived from simulations. This study contributes to the debate on the use of digital technologies in television journalism and their impacts on the preservation and re-signification of memory.