Sorry for the sporadicalness of my blogging. Lots happening in life and not enough patience to be witty. To keep occupied, I've been working on one of my many stories. And since I'm bored, I'm gonna post the prologue.
How about some background first? I get ideas for stories from all sorts of things: pictures, other stories, music, movies, real life, even mythology. Compared to a few of my other ideas, this one is very "young." The inspiration for it came in 2009 while borrowing a computer on campus. When working on papers I like to have background music playing. And sometimes that leads to a short trip "down the rabbit hole" chasing links to other artists and songs. That's how I found some very powerful and inspirational music, but that's for a later post. What I stumbled upon this particular time was a fan-modified version of a commercial for the video game Halo 3. I've played a little of the original Halo and its sequel, so I was interested. On the sidebar were "suggested" videos, including a few cutscenes from the game. So I watched them. That's when the journey began.
The end result was discovering how much the makers of the game like symbolism, especially the number 7. However, the scene that inspired me lead to a research of Carolingian legend. For those that don't know (scoff if you want, there there's a few of us out there who don't live for video games), the main character of the game of Halo is a super-soldier known as Master Chief. He's assisted by an artificial intelligence computer program named Cortana. Now, I really don't care for the reason the game designers came up with her character, I'm more interested in her name. You see, Cortana, or Curtana, is the sword of Ogier the Dane, a paladin of Emperor Charlemagne. His legend is somewhat interesting, including an appearance by none other than Morgan le Fey, the queen of Avalon in Arthurian legend.
Back to the game, though. In the third game Cortana is captured. And the mission is to rescue her. What I watched was the cutscene following the mission. It was a conversation between the two main characters. What got me intrigued, and inspired, was the last line before fade-to-black. You see, Cortana has a special "flash drive" that plugs into the Master Chief's armor. After being connected, she says he should be careful because "there's two of us in here now."
Now, I grew up on Star Wars, so having robots helping people wasn't anything new to me. But this was one of the most humanlike partnerships I had encountered. And it got me wondering: what would happen if a super-advanced artificial intelligence computer program wanted to be a real person? (As I type this I realize that this is somewhat parallel to Pinocchio, but that story really didn't inspire my idea at all.)
Here's where I took off running. So, I want to make a story where the computer program becomes human. But first, what makes us human, and how do I get a computer program into a human body? The path to solving those issues included things that I hope never actually happen, since there would be significant ethical and theological repercussions. In my searching for possible solutions to these, I stumbled upon a Greek myth about a sculptor who's creation comes to life. Basically, that's what's going on in this story. I knew how it started and how it would end.
Now I needed a plot, and characters. And being a fan of aircraft, and Star Wars, it was logical that my main character be a pilot. The fun, and frustrating, part of creating a story like this is inventing all sorts of new things. I have a list of at least a hundred aircraft that could be seen in the story, but probably won't be. That's one of the fun things about working on the background for stories. I have the opportunity to discover an entire new world and it is my duty to decide what to show everyone else. Some stuff will never make it into the story, and that's okay.
Anyway, I've rambled for a while and still haven't gotten to what I'm posting. So here it is. First is the "back of the book" blurb that everyone reads to see if the book is interesting. I would include cover art, if it existed. And I'd tell you the title, but I don't have one picked yet. I have some ideas, but nothing more than a name to place on the folder all the documents are stored in: Galatea. If anyone thinks of one, let me know.
So, check out the back of the book. If you like it, read the first few pages. Maybe some day soon it will be on a book store shelf near you.
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Captain Christopher Adamson, USAF, is assigned a new AI: an advanced Galatea series unit.
Like a child, this AI learns from him, though some “quirks” in ‘her’ personality lead him, and others, to wonder if ‘she’ could be considered human. Together, Adamson and his AI must fight prejudices, as well as continuing to function as members of the USAF.
When a crisis arises, they are put to the test. They are asked not only to defend the nation, but to take sides on a controversial issue: whether or not AI are human.
The question is… what makes us human?
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Novitatem AI Systems
AI Core Programing Facility
Inglewood, California
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Program: Galatea
Version: 1
Series: 272
Unit: 7X
Date: 18 August 2117
Daily General Report:
Galatea unit G1-272-7X has successfully passed all preliminary tests. As with all other successful units of the program, Unit 7X has done so without failing a single task. The unit is ready for Air Force testing at the joint DOD/Novitatem facility at Groom Lake.
It is still not known what happened on 12 August, but the core of Unit 7X does not appear to be damaged beyond superficially, nor is the programming showing any adverse effects. The technician who was found following prompt reporting by the unit is recovering at the local hospital with only minor injuries. A report will be submitted following review of the events leading up to 12 August.
Transfer of AI programing to processor core is scheduled to begin tomorrow. Unit 7X will be ready to deliver within 6 days.
It should be noted that like all other units of the series, 7X has begun showing personality “quirks.” Some of these are the desired characteristics requested by the Air Force, but a few are considered extraneous. None yet appear to be detrimental to the primary functions of the unit. It is quite possible that the events of 12 August are a “side effect” of these extraneous characteristics. If that is the case it is suggested that program technicians do regular followup checks during Air Force testing.
Included for review are the daily progress reports.
Signed: Dr. Abraham Potter
- - -
Prologue
Despite being in a sealed room at the other end of a climate-controlled corridor, she knew what was going on in the doctor’s office.
There was no reason for her not to know; she had presented her opinions to Dr. Potter earlier this morning. She knew he was writing up what would likely be his last daily report on her progress.
Glancing about her room, she sighs. Despite hating the feel of this place, it is, in a sense, home. Vital sign monitors softly beep in dark corners, their almost mournful tune echoing endlessly and emotionlessly. It is a sad reminder of what she is.
Silently, she turns back to her work, and away from the tangled and distorted mirror image that has started to haunt her dreams. On the monitor she quickly reviews her notes thus far before restarting the video.
The image on screen is of a field. As the camera pans left, a large howitzer comes into view; its crew scurrying about like ants.
“The United States military had been using advanced computer for nearly two hundred years. Most of these were simple tools that took the guess work out of targeting.”
As the narrator finishes speaking, the camera zooms in on one of the soldiers, who is using a simple, somewhat chunky looking, handheld computer. After pressing the touchscreen a few times, he stepped over to the gun and adjusted a few knobs. In less than two seconds he steps away and shouts an order. The gun crew flies into action, loading their weapon and launching a shining projectile into the sky.
“About fifty years ago that changed with the advent of true ‘full immersion’ artificial intelligence.” The image changes to that of a laboratory filled with computer banks and monitors. Slowly, the camera moves through the rows of processors past workers diligently typing codes. “While there had been many attempts to accomplish a functioning artificial intelligence unit for quite some time, this method was a breakthrough.” The camera finally stops at a table. On it is a simple opaque glass cylinder with cables attached to the top. “The reason had to do with the original programming circuitry. These new, true, AI units used actual cloned neurons as the basis for the circuits and programs. This allowed for a computer that could actually and fully emulate a living brain.”
The image cuts to a man, who looks to be about 50, sitting in a chair in front of a large bookshelf. A caption at the bottom reads: Dr. Philip R. Martin, PhD.
“One issue that scientist had to deal with was the ethics of using a partial cloned organ as, essentially, a computer circuit board. It was this dilemma rather than the mechanics of it that kept the development of true artificial intelligence from happening.”
Pausing the video, she pulls up her notes document. Is it unethical to use clones as computers?
The video restarts with an image of a scientist at a monitor, watching some sort of readout.
“The first experiments were simple ones. Often times cloned chimpanzee neurons were the most successful, due to their ability to create unique solutions. It did not take long for someone to suggest trying human neurons.”
The video now shows a hospital corridor. The camera follows a doctor from a room to the nurse’s station.
“The problem was it was difficult to get cloned human neurons. The few that were made were needed in high priority medical cases.”
The video image changes again, now with an MRI machine as the focal point. It is obvious being used, since a pair of feet stick out of the end. The focus on the image changes to show the scanner monitor in the MRI control room.
“In the mean time, the experiments with other neurons proved very successful, leading to the first AI units. These were very simple machines, able to perform one or two tasks. It did not take long for industry to find uses for them. Often they were used in mundane jobs where human lives were at risk, such as assembly lines.”
The video switches back to Dr. Martin.
“These first AI units were what we call ‘human analogs.’ This means that they function at human levels of intelligence in a single distinct area. Some of the most advanced analog AI can even be programmed to ‘think,’ so long as it is within their specific task area.”
As soon as the doctor finishes speaking the video cuts to show the entrance to a very utilitarian looking building. The sign in front reads: United Engineering Corp.
“However, the quest for a true human emulating AI continued. A number of companies tried to get a hold of human neurons, but access was limited. Then, in 2082, a technician at United Engineering Corporation got a brilliant idea: why not use donated neurons. All they had to do was acquire a brain donated to science and there would be plenty of neurons.”
The video pauses again. This time she doesn’t write anything. “How then were they allowed to make the jump from simple neurons to this?”
For a second she is tempted to turn around and face the thing haunting her. Instead she goes back to the video.
“Needless to say, the test results were phenomenal. The new AI, dubbed the Proteus, was leaps and bounds ahead of the competitors. It was still a limited design, and only able to function well at a handful of tasks.”
The image changes to that of submarine bridge. Standing on the chart table is an eight inch tall metallic robot. Using a grease pencil half as tall as itself, it traces a route, which the captain glances at before nodding.
“The military saw use for them, as advanced computers in vehicles such as submarines and aircraft. The Proteus units proved a success. They were competent and accurate.”
Dr. Martin appears on screen again.
“However, these AI were still only analogs. The industry has yet to create a functional ‘human imitator.’ These more advanced AI actually function as a human would. They can learn and be creative on a level that would rival any human. There are a few experiments, but due to the complexity of the human thought process, duplicating it is, as of yet, impossible.”
She pauses the video one last time. The time-stamp on it is July of 2094. A year before the program started. After closing down the video, document, and monitor, she wonders if the makers of that documentary know how much things have changed.
Under the unsleeping eyes of her imperfect reflection, she wonders how much of that is because of her.
Despite knowing it will likely haunt her dreams, she focuses on the only truly comforting sound in the room, in the whole world.
The only lullaby she’d ever known: the heartbeat of her own reflection.
