This
research investigates the character of Multivac in Isaac Asimov's short stories
"Franchise" (1955) and "The Last Question" (1956) through a
semiotic lens. Utilizing Charles Sanders Peirce's semiotic framework, this
descriptive qualitative study analyzes how Multivac is portrayed in these stories.
The research identifies the characteristics of Multivac, explores its role, and
examines how it interacts with human characters. Findings indicate that
Multivac evolves from a highly sophisticated governmental tool designed to
optimize decision-making processes to a near-omniscient entity capable of
addressing existential questions about the universe. This evolution underscores
Asimov's nuanced depiction of technology, highlighting both its potential and
its limitations. The study reveals that Multivac's interactions with human
characters reflect broader themes of dependency on technology, ethical
considerations, and the quest for knowledge. These insights enhance our
understanding of AI representation in literature and its implications for
human-machine interactions.
