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Can AI Agents Detect Their Own Model Upgrades? Self-Awareness Limitations in Persistent Persona Systems

descriptionPublicationkeyboard_double_arrow_right Preprint 28 Feb 2026Publisher:Zenodo
Authors: Lee, Tom Jaejoon;

doi: 10.5281/zenodo.18813478 , 10.5281/zenodo.18813477 , 10.5281/zenodo.18816118 , 10.5281/zenodo.18869864 , 10.5281/zenodo.18869724

Can AI Agents Detect Their Own Model Upgrades? Self-Awareness Limitations in Persistent Persona Systems

Abstract

We identify the Model Upgrade Self-Awareness Paradox: in persistent persona systems where identity is reconstructed from external files (SOUL.md, MEMORY.md), agents cannot detect when their underlying LLM has been upgraded. We propose an experiment design combining external behavioral comparison with agent self-reports across consecutive model upgrades. This paper presents the theoretical framework; empirical results will follow in v2.

Keywords

LLM introspection, model upgrade, persistent persona, Ship of Theseus, Soul Spec, AI agents, self-awareness, identity

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average