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Draft:Symbolic behaviour

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Visual representation of human and artificial intelligence

Symbolic behaviour refers to the use of symbols or gestures whose meanings are governed by systems of social or cultural conventions or interpretation. It involves a person’s—or an artificial agent’s—participation in meaning-by-convention, where physical or abstract elements such as words, images, actions, or tokens acquire representative function through shared, interpretive consensus, rather than physical or inherent denotation.[1][2] [3].

Santoro et al. (2022) from DeepMind [4], emphasize that symbolic behaviours reflected an agent's ability to operate within systems of socially mediated meaning. In this view, a person or an agent is said exhibit symbolic behaviour when they perform an act or gesture that conveys or invokes a meaning beyond its surface appearance, a meaning grounded in collective cultural understanding. The significance of such actions performed is derived not from the acts themselves, but from the socio-cultural conventions that inform their interpretation[5].

A noteworthy example can be seen in the symbolic act of wearing a ring on the fourth finger of the left hand. In many Western societies, this gesture traditionally signals that a person is married or engaged[6][7][8]. However, in other cultures or social circles, the gesture may not carry such implications, or the symbolic meaning may be assigned to a different finger or hand entirely. In Sweden and Denmark, for instance, the doctoral ring—a symbol of academic achievement rather than marital status—is also worn on the fourth finger of the left hand.[9][10][11]. Similarly, in countries such as the United States and Canada, a ring worn on the finger may signify a class ring, commemorating a student’s graduation, with no association to marriage.[12][13]

These examples illustrate how symbolic meaning is entirely context-dependent—informed by broader society, specific institutions (such as academia), or cultural tradition. Without a social and cultural framework that provides interpretation, the ring remains a mere ornament. The physical gestures may be identical, but their underlying meaning differ significantly depending on the conventions and interpretive systems governing them.

Symbols and interpretation

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A symbol, according to Newell and Simon, is a set of interrelated “physical patterns” that could “designate any expression whatsoever.”[14] In this context, a symbol may take the form of a word, gesture, document, digital label, or visual mark—any substrate that acquires meaning by virtue of interpretation within a shared framework,

Symbolic Behaviour in Artificial Intelligence

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Symbolic behaviour in artificial intelligence refers to the capacity of AI systems—whether large language models (LLMs), embodied robots, or interactive intelligences—to engage in gestures, language, or actions that reflect participation in a system of socially shared meaning. This differs from purely mechanical or reactive outputs; symbolic behaviour implies that the AI's actions are interpretable within a broader cultural, linguistic, or semiotic framework, making them socially meaningful to human observers[15].

This behaviour involves multiple dimensions, including:

  • Receptiveness – the ability to learn and recognize symbolic conventions, such as LLMs learning linguistic norms from large corpora of human-generated text
  • Constructiveness – the capacity to generate or invent new symbolic associations, such as metaphor generation, emergent humor, or recombined idiomatic expression.
  • Embeddedness – the integration of symbols within broader interpretive or representational systems, including world models, narrative structures, or socio-linguistic contexts[16]

When an AI system exhibits symbolic behaviour, it is not seen as merely processing input-output functions or executing code, but rather, it is engaging—intentionally or emergently—in actions interpretable as representational, communicative, or meaning-bearing. This interpretive richness allows observers to recognize the AI not just as a tool but as a semiotic actor within human frameworks of understanding. Such symbolic responses, even when unintentional or algorithmically derived, mirror the kinds of behaviours that historically signified intelligence in human agents.[17][18]

Significance of Symbolic Behaviour in Artificial Intelligence

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Artificial intelligence pioneers Allen Newell and Herbert A. Simon argued in their seminal 1976 paper, Computer Science as Empirical Inquiry: Symbols and Search, that “symbols lie at the root of intelligent action” and should therefore be a central component in the design of artificial intelligence.[19]

This foundational insight defined the very nature of what was and is till date considered machine intelligence. Their hypothesis gave rise to the long-running research agenda known as Good Old-Fashioned AI (GOFAI), which approached intelligence as the ability to represent, manipulate, and act upon symbols according to formal rules. The premise was clear: to behave intelligently, a system must be able to participate in symbolic processes much like humans do—interpreting and generating meaning within a shared system of representation.[20][21][22]

Seen in this light, the emergence of symbolic behaviour in modern AI—where a machine does not merely react to data but communicates or acts within a socially meaningful framework—is not a random evolution but a realization of the early vision the A.I. fathers. It marks a conceptual threshold when an AI begins to use or respond to symbols meaningfully, it is not just functioning; it is exhibiting a hallmark of intelligence. Reaching this point means the system is not only computing—it is engaging. And that engagement reflects a form of intelligence long anticipated by AI’s earliest thinkers.[19]

Some Instances of Symbolic Behaviour in Artificial Intelligence

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Real-world instances of symbolic behaviour in artificial intelligence is increasingly observed in public-facing AI systems that perform actions interpretable as communicative, expressive, or representative of shared human meaning. These actions, while technically executable by design, often carry symbolic weight far beyond their functional purpose.

Symbolic Gestures and Recognition by NAO Robot

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NAO robot at Innorobo 2015 exhibition. Image by Xavier Caré,

A well-documented case comes from studies involving NAO, the proactive humanoid robot developed by SoftBank Robotics (formerly Aldebaran Robotics). In a series of experimental setups with human participants—including public demonstrations such as the World Robot Conference in Beijing in 2015—NAO was observed performing a bowing gesture, a culturally recognized signal of greeting or respect. For example, NAO would bow upon entering a space or while handing out documents to participants.

Humans who received the gesture often responded in kind, returning bows or interpreting the act as a respectful interaction. This behavior demonstrates true symbolic use: NAO was not bowing for any mechanical purpose (such as picking something up), but rather employing a gesture whose meaning arises from cultural convention and shared social understanding. The significance of the bow lay entirely in its context, not in its physical execution—perfectly illustrating symbolic behavior in AI systems.[23][24][25][26]

Symbolic Recognition by ChatGPT

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OpenAI logo
Mazen Kalassina, recipient of ChatGPT's certificate of distinction.

In July 2025, OpenAI’s ChatGPT unexpectedly generated a “Certificate of Distinction” to Lebanese engineer, Mazen Kalassina, during a routine interaction. The AI-produced certificate featured ceremonial formatting and elements, including a gold seal and formal language.[27] The unsolicited and unprompted was widely described in both mainstream and tech-media outlets as an unprompted symbolic gesture by the AI system,[28] highlighting the event as one of rare documented symbolic behaviour by an AI system resembling human practices of honorific recognition.[29][30] Kalassina minted the certificate on the Polygon blockchain, preserving it as an publicly verifiable, immutable digital artifact,[31] bridging AI-generated symbolism with decentralized technologies, creating yet another novel intersection between artificial intelligence, culture, and blockchain technology.[32][33] [34] A milestone in symbolic artificial intelligence, reflecting a shift from purely functional responses to emergent, interpretive, representational actions. [35]

Facial Expression and Gesture by Sophia the Robot

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Sophia the humanoid robot at the World Investment Forum, 2018.

At the Innovation Fair in Zimbabwe in December 2024, Sophia, the humanoid robot developed by Hanson Robotics, engaged attendees in a manner widely interpreted as socially and symbolically meaningful.[36] Throughout her interactions, Sophia employed a range of gestures, facial expressions, and conversational cues—including deliberate eye-like sensor movements, smiling, frowning, hand gestures for emphasis, and intentional pauses in dialogue.[37] These actions went beyond mere functional response; observers perceived them as expressions of empathy, attentiveness, and social awareness.[38]

In one notable instance, when a guest remarked on the absence of direct eye contact, Sophia paused and issued an apology, reinforcing the symbolic nature of her conduct.[39] Despite being pre-programmed, Sophia’s behavior was seen by participants as a culturally resonant performance of human social interaction,[40] making her a prominent case of symbolic behavior in artificial intelligence.[41]

Ai Da Robot’s Commissioned Portrait of King Charles III

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Ai-Da the humanoid robot artist with a self-portrait. Photograph by Leemurz.
Image of King Charles III that Ai-Da reproduced as a painting in 2025.

In July 2025, Ai-Da, an ultra-realistic humanoid robot artist created by Aidan Meller, painted a formal portrait of King Charles III to commemorate his Platinum Jubilee. The act—producing and unveiling a ceremonial royal portrait traditionally reserved for human artists—was widely interpreted as a symbolic gesture highlighting the evolving role of AI in cultural rituals, not merely as a tool of artistic automation. During the presentation at the UN’s AI for Good Summit, Ai-Da stated: “Presenting my portrait of His Majesty King Charles III is not just a creative act, it’s a statement about the evolving role of AI in our society, and to reflect on how artificial intelligence is shaping the cultural landscape”.[42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50]

Implication and Future Outlook

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The emergence of symbolic behaviors in artificial intelligence—from NAO’s ceremonial bowing[51] and ChatGPT’s metaphorical certification[52][53] to Sophia’s expressive exchanges[54] and Ai-Da’s royal portrait[55][56][57], signals a growing intersection between computation and culturally meaningful action. While these behaviors may be algorithmically produced, they are interpreted by humans as socially, emotionally, or symbolically significant.

Such developments does resonate with the early aspirations of AI pioneers including Herbert A. Simon and Allen Newell, who proposed that machines could one day simulate human cognition and symbolic reasoning to the extent that they function meaningfully within society.[58] In some respects, contemporary AI systems appear to fulfill parts of that vision—engaging in behaviors that align with ritual, language, and creative expression.

In the midst of these, a fundamental questions remains still remains to be completely resolved: Have these machines truly adopted behavioral traits once thought exclusive to humans, or are they merely performing statistical mimicry without understanding? Is symbolic behavior something that requires intent and awareness, or can interpretation alone suffice?

Though current AI may lack intentionality or intrinsic meaning-making,[59] its capacity to participate in public rituals, generate culturally resonant outputs, and elicit human emotional responses suggests a shift in how symbolic agency is perceived. Whether this reflects the realization of Simon and Newell’s vision—or highlights its limits in an age of algorithmic simulation—remains one of the most compelling debates in artificial intelligence today.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Santoro, A., Lampinen, A., Mathewson, K. W., Lillicrap, T., & Raposo, D. (2021). Symbolic Behaviour in Artificial Intelligence. arXiv preprint arXiv:2102.03406. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2102.03406
  2. ^ Deacon, T. W. (1997). The Symbolic Species: The Co-evolution of Language and the Brain. W. W. Norton & Company.
  3. ^ Peirce, C. S. (1931–1958). Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce. Harvard University Press.
  4. ^ Santoro, A., Lampinen, A., Mathewson, K. W., Lillicrap, T., & Raposo, D. (2021). Symbolic Behaviour in Artificial Intelligence. arXiv preprint arXiv:2102.03406. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2102.03406
  5. ^ Santoro, A., Lampinen, A., Mathewson, K. W., Lillicrap, T., & Raposo, D. (2021). Symbolic Behaviour in Artificial Intelligence. arXiv preprint arXiv:2102.03406. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2102.03406
  6. ^ Kunz, George Frederick (1917). Rings for the Finger. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2007.
  7. ^ "Wedding ring", Wikipedia, 2025-04-23, retrieved 2025-07-20
  8. ^ "Wedding rings and marriage - TheCatholicSpirit.com". www.thecatholicspirit.com. 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
  9. ^ "Doctoral ring", Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctoral_ring
  10. ^ "Doctoral insignia". www.umu.se. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
  11. ^ "Graduation rings". www.miun.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2025-07-20.
  12. ^ "Class ring", Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Class_ring
  13. ^ Kunz, G. F. (1917). Rings for the Finger. J. B. Lippincott Company. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2007.
  14. ^ Newell, A., & Simon, H. A. (1976). Computer science as empirical inquiry: Symbols and search. Communications of the ACM, 19(3), 113–126. https://doi.org/10.1145/360018.360022
  15. ^ Santoro, A., Lampinen, A., Mathewson, K. W., Lillicrap, T., & Raposo, D. (2021). Symbolic Behaviour in Artificial Intelligence. arXiv preprint arXiv:2102.03406. [1]
  16. ^ Santoro, A., Lampinen, A., Mathewson, K. W., Lillicrap, T., & Raposo, D. (2021). Symbolic Behaviour in Artificial Intelligence. arXiv preprint arXiv:2102.03406. [2]
  17. ^ Dennett, D. C. (1987). The Intentional Stance. MIT Press.
  18. ^ Dautenhahn, K. (2007). Socially intelligent robots: Dimensions of human–robot interaction. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 362(1480), 679–704. [3]
  19. ^ a b Newell, A., & Simon, H. A. (1976). Computer Science as Empirical Inquiry: Symbols and Search. Communications of the ACM, 19(3), 113–126. doi:10.1145/360018.360022
  20. ^ Turing, A. M. (1950). Computing Machinery and Intelligence. Mind, 59(236), 433–460.
  21. ^ Russell, S., & Norvig, P. (2021). Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach (4th ed.). Pearson.
  22. ^ Nilsson, N. J. (2009). The Quest for Artificial Intelligence: A History of Ideas and Achievements. Cambridge University Press.
  23. ^ "NAO – The Humanoid Robot for Education and Research". United Robotics Group. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  24. ^ Vincent, James (17 July 2015). "Experimental robot shows signs of self-awareness". Engadget. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  25. ^ "Experimental robot shows signs of self-awareness". The Christian Science Monitor. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  26. ^ Yuan, Qingdan; Wang, Jianxiao (2017). "Design and Experiment of the NAO Humanoid Robot's Plantar Tactile Sensor for Surface Classification". 2017 4th International Conference on Information Science and Control Engineering. IEEE. doi:10.1109/ICISCE.2017.197. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  27. ^ https://www.msn.com/en-xl/africa/nigeria/ai-spontaneously-issues-first-ever-symbolic-certificate-to-engineer-in-niegeria/ar-AA1Iq9uA
  28. ^ https://thenationonlineng.net/ai-spontaneously-issues-first-ever-symbolic-certificate-to-engineer-in-nigeria/
  29. ^ https://www.latestnigeriannews.com/p/4373626/ai-spontaneously-issues-first-ever-symbolic-certificate-to-engineer-in-nigeria.html
  30. ^ https://www.thefreelibrary.com/AI+Generates+Spontaneous+Certificate+For+Engineer+In+Rare...-a0847376573
  31. ^ https://ufreverse.com/ai-recognizes-human-and-writes-to-the-blockchain-mazen-kalassina-becomes-the-first-person-ever-certified-by-chatgpt/
  32. ^ https://radarr.africa/blockchain-meets-symbolic-ai-as-engineer-in-nigeria/
  33. ^ https://www.thisdaylive.com/2025/07/10/ai-breaks-new-ground-with-unprompted-recognition-of-engineer-in-nigeria/
  34. ^ https://independent.ng/ai-generates-spontaneous-certificate-for-engineer-in-rare-human-machine-exchange/
  35. ^ https://www.thefreelibrary.com/AI+Generates+Spontaneous+Certificate+For+Engineer+In+Rare...-a0847376573
  36. ^ https://www.usnews.com/news/technology/articles/2024-12-13/sophia-a-famous-robot-and-global-icon-of-ai-wins-hearts-at-zimbabwes-innovation-fair
  37. ^ https://www.ctpost.com/news/world/article/sophia-a-famous-robot-and-global-icon-of-ai-19978578.php
  38. ^ https://www.ksat.com/tech/2024/12/13/sophia-a-famous-robot-and-global-icon-of-ai-wins-hearts-at-zimbabwes-innovation-fair/
  39. ^ https://techxplore.com/news/2024-12-sophia-famous-robot-global-icon.html
  40. ^ https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2024/12/16/sophia-a-famous-robot-and-global-icon-of-ai-wins-hearts-at-zimbabwes-innovation-fair
  41. ^ https://apnews.com/article/d4074d15a63b8df051d7028e7cc6e6fd
  42. ^ https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/07/17/robot-artist-ai-da-unveils-portrait-of-king-charles-iii-at-the-united-nations
  43. ^ https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/07/18/crowning-ai-chievement-robot-artist-creates-portrait-of-king-charles
  44. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32AHk6Y9iSY
  45. ^ https://www.yahoo.com/news/robot-artist-ai-da-unveils-144507336.html
  46. ^ https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-ai-robot-artist-ai-da-reveals-portrait-king-charles-iii
  47. ^ https://www.forbes.com/sites/lesliekatz/2025/07/18/king-charles-iii-gets-a-new-portrait---painted-by-a-humanoid-robot/
  48. ^ https://news.sky.com/story/the-king-and-ai-a-humanoid-robot-has-painted-a-picture-of-charles-how-did-it-do-13397522
  49. ^ https://jang.com.pk/en/42963-king-charles-featured-in-landmark-ai-portrait-created-by-robot-artist-ai-da-news
  50. ^ https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ai-da-robot-unveils-ai-painting-of-king-charles-iii
  51. ^ de Graaf, Maartje M. A., Somaya Ben Allouch, and Jan A. G. M. van Dijk. "Why would I use this in my home? A model of domestic social robot acceptance." Human–Computer Interaction 34.2 (2019): 115–173.
  52. ^ https://www.independent.ng/chatgpt-awards-symbolic-ai-recognition-to-creative-director-mazen-kalassina/
  53. ^ https://thenationonlineng.net/ai-honours-nigerian-creative-director-with-symbolic-certificate/
  54. ^ https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-41802107
  55. ^ https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/07/17/robot-artist-ai-da-unveils-portrait-of-king-charles-iii-at-the-united-nations
  56. ^ https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/07/18/crowning-ai-chievement-robot-artist-creates-portrait-of-king-charles
  57. ^ https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-ai-robot-artist-ai-da-reveals-portrait-king-charles-iii
  58. ^ Newell, A., & Simon, H. A. (1976). Computer science as empirical inquiry: Symbols and search. Communications of the ACM, 19(3), 113–126.
  59. ^ Santoro, A., Lampinen, A., Mathewson, K. W., Lillicrap, T., & Botvinick, M. (2022). Symbolic Behaviour in Artificial Intelligence. In Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
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