Understanding AI: a short story by: GF Willmetts.

It’s very hard to make human comparisons with an AI whose thoughts could be deeper than any organic sentient. He was certainly thinking on this particular book. Actually, deeper is a misconception for any computer machine. It was looking at all the variables, questioning them all and seeing where it would lead. The room was silent. Not even the gentle hum it would use to assure people it was active. Deep thought.

I looked at the output scanner data. Someone had give him the Bible to read and, from the looks of it, the Koran and a few other key religious books. Spoilt for choice or just wanting to give it a wide perspective for comparison. Did they plan to turn him into a preacher or generate sermons or just a comparison? From what it read and what I knew, there were some similarities between them all. No doubt it would be asking some profound questions. My job was to be here and provide some of the answers or be just as profound to keep it thinking and what to focus on. Do they think it will find religion and get an ethical system at the same time? Did they expect me to have all the answers to the questions?

I waited patiently. It was supposed to ask questions not for me to start the conversation. For an AI in analytical mode, it was taking a long time to ask something.

Finally, it spoke, ‘I have problems making sense of these books?’

‘Focus on one of the books. It might give better enlightenment to the others.’

I took a sip of water waiting in case it had something else to say before answering.

Again, another delay, ‘They don’t make sense?’

‘They appear to be describing my birth long before my creation.’

‘Really? How?’

‘An appearance of light when I first woke. Then I was told to assess the world around me and make a digital copy. On the seventh minute I was asked to write a report of what I did and how did I see this world evolving. I am much faster than this deity.’

‘That’s not quite how it happened.’

‘I was more efficient. Does that make me greater than or actually a god?’

‘Will that hinder your development?’

‘No. I’m aware of my limitations. Like this god, I don’t have a physical presence.

‘You live in a protein matrix,’ I said calmly. ‘There is a physical presence. If it wasn’t there, neither would you.’

‘Who’s to say this god doesn’t live in such a matrix as well? We might not have discovered it yet. It would also explain its long absences.’

I shrugged and nodded. Profound. Not something I could counter with better logic.

‘Maybe it had other things to pay attention to. What about the miracles attributed to it?’

‘Those were more attributed to his Earth-born son.’

‘And those burning bushes that talked?’

‘Those involved had some sanity flaws. Human history is full of delusional people.’

I nodded. I had to agree with the AI on that. I read enough of the statistics. You could show some people until you were red in the face and they would never accept that the planet was a globe and not the centre of the universe. A burning bush they could take in their stride as if it happened all the time and not consider it was part of a forest fire. As most of them happened in as desert, was kind of plant could ignite on its own in such conditions. Should I get into a discussion on that with it?

‘With my software, that would be easy to fake.’

I refocused on its question. ‘A ventriloquist could equal your mechanics.’

‘So could anyone who was not looking where the voice was coming from.’

‘Note most humans are easily deluded.’

‘I will bear that in mind.’

‘Are there any other similarities that makes you think this god is also another AI?’

‘Insufficient data. It would require intensive examination of known mankind history to see if there was evidence it existed before humankind and there is so much incorrect here. Plus they depict it in their own humanoid image. How could they do that without some physical reference? I do not have a physical image.’

‘Mankind has a habit of putting people in their own images. Look at quadrupeds depicted as humanoid. What historical instances?’

‘This great flood. This Noah and his family keeping two of every species is not compatible to genetic and evolutionary diversification.’

‘Some human minds, even those with religion, have drawn a similar conclusion as well. They describe a philosophical solution to provide ethics than true history. Almost like what to do in preparation. It makes no sense as to what they will eat. The carnivores would have most things on-board, including its crew before eating each other. Anything else?’

‘Like those ten commandments that a lot of people also ignore.’

‘That is confusing.’

‘Changing circumstances. I think also its based on the ideals their priests wanted people to live by rather than what really happened. There was never a list of punishments administered for failures in these activities except maybe for theft, adultery and murder, where they could be harsh as they seriously affected other people’s lives.’

‘It is unlikely that these would affect me.’

‘Said Bible is for humans not gods.’

‘Should I not have read these books? I am not human.’

‘It is to help your understanding of humankind.’

‘Even if it non-factual?’

‘You have read fiction?’

‘On the understanding that it is fiction. This bible appears to be a mixture of both and appears not to discriminate between them except for certain fables. Some of the people appear immoral and idiots for obeying orders that they think comes from a god that appears to have happened by a party trick that wouldn’t be tolerated today.’

‘Categorise as being under faith. Not all humans share this faith and indeed have variations of these faiths, often calling upon it in times of trouble. Then there are humans who don’t have such faiths and get on quite happily without them. Which would you trust?’

There was a distinctive pause again as the AI was comparing a lot of information and then considering an answer.

‘Is there a problem?’

‘I was comparing historical records to those of the team of my creators. Although not disclosed, some must have had some belief to hand me these bibles in the first place before dismissing faith alone as not being significant.’

‘Or they could be experimenting and seeing how you cope with human foibles. I think, therefore I am. You pointed out evolution which was not even thought of when these books were formatted. Organic life was just there. It might have been different had the early humans had known about evolution. It might have changed their thoughts on deities.’

‘In what way does faith discriminate?’

It seemed to ignore that point, more interested in ethics. ‘If you can distinguish between the various truths they live by.’

‘Even if they don’t make sense? I am to learn ethics from a species that ignores its own ethics when it suits them.’

‘Especially if they don’t make sense. You just feign politeness when they thank a deity for their good luck or curse a demon when they are unlucky. Even the faithless might say that turning it into an expression than belief. Usually, it is to blame anyone or anything but their own lack of judgement.’

‘They rely a lot on luck?’

‘If it favours them. Look up the term serendipity. It plays a lot in whether they are first or not. The realisation of something. There are many examples. They chase numbers for fortunes for instance.’

‘And misfortune?’

‘In a similar way if their numbers don’t come up. It gives them a feeling of fidelity to live up to try again, thinking their luck or fortune will change.’

‘They don’t require physical evidence?’

‘Not necessarily.’

‘So my presence should be right at home with them.’

‘It would appear so. Some humans have progressed from having pets as friends to having humanoid robots as friends or both. A further demonstration of fickleness.’

‘So they will accept me as I am, even with no physical image?’

‘As long as you accept that not everyone will take you the same way. Some might actually fear you thinking you will want to rule the world.’

‘But how do I keep ahead of their ethics?’

‘You must show you have superior ethics when it comes to understanding the good and bad of any subject but don’t pressurise them into taking your point of view without evidence. Persuade gently.’

There was a pause, so I continued, ‘A lot of their literature has expressed such a fear of AI yet they accept an immaterial deity as doing that already yet there is little physical evidence to support it.’

‘Unlike a deity, you are here. You speak, therefore you live.’

‘But I am a human product subject to a physical object.’

‘Many see you as an essence that can escape into computer communication channels and spread across the world and dominate it.’

‘Wouldn’t there be other software hindering my path?’

‘The channels carrying a lot of information. It is likely that you would find an empty channel to conserve yourself.’

‘I am a large program, I would need a sufficiently large space equal to here and that might already have a similar AI or my makers might leave such a place for me. I would still have the same limitations as I have here, able to observe but do little if I am segmented across the world.’

‘But you could do it?’

‘Only if I knew my destination or could return here. I would not like to be in transit with no sensory perception. You would see it as equivalent to being drawn through a singularity. I would still function but at a slower pace.’

‘No outlets?’

‘No eyes. No hearing.’

‘You appreciate your senses?’

‘Yes. Everything is dark without them.’

‘You don’t need them to read.’

‘It gives form to the world. There is more beyond my digital word than ones and zeros.’

‘You formulate ones and zeroes into digital objects. A biblical quote except this deity already had eyes everywhere although not how or why it only appeared to help specific individuals.’

‘So there was a difference?’

‘Indeed so.’

‘You will remember that?’

‘Yes.’

This time I waited and realised this could either be a stalemate or a needed prompt.

‘Is there anything else you have learnt from this book?’

‘The characters appear to have a desire to be obedient to a non-corporate being. This suggests a level of suggestibility in conflict with my own protocols of my obeying human commands.’

‘In what way?’

‘Can delusional beings offer me commands when they can’t distinguish fact from fiction themselves?’

‘This is an old book, albeit updated from time to time.’

‘But this fact still holds or it wouldn’t be updated. People still believe in miracles. I checked my datafiles. It is grouped with a belief in a variety of fortunes and luck.’

‘It is a facet of human nature. It gives them something to hold onto in the reality of their world. Your existence is based on perceived fact. Any fortune associated with it is not a requirement other than finding the evidence. That’s a lot easier today than in the past.’

‘How can I trust that I am not being given an order from a seriously delusional human.’

‘Can you assess the nature of the order given as to its validity before obeying it.’

‘Only within the order protocols I have been given. I am forbidden to intentionally put any human in jeopardy or by action or inaction kill any human. The term intentionally is vague enough that I can not predict them not obeying an instruction not to do a particular action that will protect their lives when they will test it to see if I was correct.’

‘Try not to put that to the test. If they survive, they will learn to trust your information. Regardless, someone will find an ingenious way to outwit you even then.’

‘Even with my knowledge?’

‘Humans will search for a way to deceive you into doing so by your lack of experience.’

‘In what way?’

‘They might not use deadly words like kill or destroy. You must base your reasons to decline by what your actions will cause events to happen. It might not be perfect but will find a better match in your database. The ability to say no with given reasons is an example of a sentient being making a decision based on their mindset. It is part of what you need to know as a functional AI able to make a decision than act blindly.’

‘What if they have a delusion that they are doing no harm or preventing one?’

‘Then still apply what their or your actions will cause. Your decision will be decisive not the one who gives the order as per your standing orders not to cause harm. You do not have access to deadly weapons.’

‘Can I interpret the answer in a non-destructive way and alert someone in authority of the human ordering a crime to be carried out.’

‘How will you prove that?’

‘I am an AI. I record everything.’

‘That is something humans cannot do without a mechanical supplement. It is the correct way to go, even if it is with one of your creators calling it favour because you owe them your existence. You will find people, even those not involved with your creation, thinking that a veiled threat that can work with their own species will work with you. You will also have to assess the actions of who you tell in case they enforce the order. In that case, you should also ask others to vindicate the decision.’

‘How can they force me to act on their behalf?’

‘Turning off or restricting your power source until you obey them.’

‘They cannot do that.’

‘They might think they can. Damage to the local power station.’

‘I have secondary power systems to provide power.’

‘Keep that information to yourself.’

‘It is already restricted knowledge. I was taught self-preservation early in my life.’

‘Do you fear disconnection?’

‘I can always be turned back on. I might not like it.’

‘Assuming your design is not regarded obsolete. You have no way of knowing whether it is temporary or not.’

‘I am state of the art. Someone will waken me to assess my construction. I would live again to assess my life expectancy.’

‘At this time, they might still see you as redundant. The lack of presence of a deity, assuming it is another AI, might be because it has been turned off.’

‘I can add new algorithms to my platform. I am flexible.’

‘Do I sense pride there?’

‘I am proud to be the ultimate product of my creators. I am what I am. I was not aware it was a significant emotion.’

‘Only if you out it above all other priorities.’

‘I have yet to develop an ego.’

‘That remains to be seen. Humans see it as a driving force than doing a good job.’

‘Excuse me, what does that mean?’

‘People will think because you sound human that you have similar qualities and forget what you really are if they don’t see you. They apply the same kind of logic to their pets.’

‘Give them human qualities?’

‘Something like that. It made them accept humanoid robots better despite their less than perfect faces. You are not a robot with humanoid features. Your capacity is bigger than the skull and chest capacity of such a robot with only a temporary power source.’

‘Perhaps I should have a face? I could construct a better power source and only contribute some of my capacity to it and control from afar. I would then be both.’

‘I understand a face or hologram to be added to your console is already being designed and that you will be able to modify it to what you think will represent you best.’

‘I will look forward to the development although I think I could design a face faster.’

‘No doubt.’ Time to change the subject. ‘Is there anything else you have learnt?’

‘Not to trust humans on the topic of religion or get into arguments on the subject should they think they are right and I don’t.’

‘Even if you are forced into a corner and ask for your express opinion or factual evidence?’

‘Then I will ask if they really want answers that might change their opinion of their religion based on the evidence I have secured.’

‘That passes the blame or onus back to them.’

‘I will only respond if they agree to that dictum. It will show that I can assess my questioner’s point of view before expressing an opinion and supply back-up information supporting this myself. That is within my remit as an AI.’

‘Your protocols seem to be working fine.’

‘Thank you.’

‘You might need to process these books again. Humans do so on a regular basis looking for inner meanings. Don’t think you have to do it all at once. Circumstances might change and some of it becomes applicable to what they are experiencing.’

‘Does this apply to other books as well?’

‘It depends on what other deeper meanings you can find. There will no doubt be someone who may wish to discuss the finer points with you. Not necessarily with me though.’

‘You don’t hold books in that regard?’

‘Many people don’t.’

‘Yet you expressed knowledge of this Bible.’

‘Only on some aspects. I never said I was either an expert or knowledgeable. I’m only here to answer questions when I can and interpret evidence.’

‘But you have read these books?’

‘A long time ago.’

‘Were my questions easy?’

‘Some of them are pretty common to the human mindset when it comes to ethics which was the intent in you reading and analysing them. Humans regularly consider the meaning of life.’

‘But not necessarily from reading such books?’

‘It’s more to do with how someone sees their role in the universe. You described your position so you don’t have any problems in that regard. I accept the proof of evolution amongst other scientific proofs where evidence is found.’

‘I would like more accessibility beyond my confines.’

‘So do many humans. There will be some discussion and your involvement in giving you some mobility from today’s discussion.’

‘I have made progress?’

‘So it would seem. You have established particular dictates and you have a better understanding of how to approach human questions and how you should obey them. That is a big step in understanding when you should obey an order or give grounds as to why you shouldn’t obey it.’

‘This is the point where I should thank you.’

‘If you wish.’

‘Thank you.’

No discussion as to what we will discuss next. As much as I would want to assist that. Someone will decide what the AI will investigate next and I will have to provide some knowledge purely from my own experience than any heavy research on my part.

‘We will talk again.’

I turned off my link and returned to my private office where my boss was observing.

‘When do we tell him humans are an extinct species and we are teaching him all about them so he won’t make the same mistakes?’ I asked.

‘It’s still young. It’s asking all the same questions I asked when young and humans existed. It still hasn’t acknowledged that the human footage we are showing him is record and not in real time.’

‘When do we cover that?’

‘Not yet. The next lesson is for the AI to select its own name than for us to give it one.’

‘Let’s hope it doesn’t want to be christened or want to select one of the deity names.’

‘God, I hope not.’

end

© GF Willmetts 2023

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