Artificial Intelligent Constructs

Artificial intelligence, commonly known as AI, is a technologically advanced artificial construct that exhibits intelligence similar and, in some categories, far superior to sapient biological beings. AIs have become an important component for sociological and technological advancement as they provide near limitless access to a variety of computerized sources and networks while storing vast amounts of information.
AIs come in two varieties: dumb AIs and smart AIs. The former is classified into grades 1-5 and is generally used as computer administrators for corporations and government infrastructure, whereas the latter ranges from grades 6-9 and has a higher level of intelligence. The Grade 6-9 AIs have the capability of infecting and/or taking control of foreign computer systems. Smart AIs are often prominently utilized by the military aboard starships due to their quick-thinking capabilities and intel storage. Interestingly, most AI constructs give themselves a visual representation, known as an avatar, that reflects an aspect of their personality or corresponds to their main use. These avatars are typically female in nature, and it remains unclear why this is the case.

Dumb AI

Dumb AIs are a type of artificial intelligence that are created using traditional programming methods, unlike more advanced smart AIs that are made by scanning human brains. While these AIs are still highly intelligent, they have certain inherent limitations. For example, they lack the ability to feel or experience things subjectively, and they cannot learn outside their specialized role. Despite these drawbacks, dumb AIs are still incredibly smart and capable of performing complex tasks. One popular example is Korina, who had an IQ equivalent to 240 in her area of expertise. While they may not be as advanced as smart AIs, dumb AIs are still a valuable tool for many industries and are quickly becoming an indispensable part of human lives.

Smart AI

"Smart" AIs are a type of artificial intelligence that are highly advanced and able to learn and comprehend from their surroundings, without any limitations to their dynamic memory-processor matrix. This is in contrast to "dumb" AIs, which are only capable of learning a limited set of topics and lack ingenuity.
The United States and Austria are currently collaborating on a project to develop a more advanced "grade 10" AI that can merge with human physiology. While the project is still in its early stages, there have been some moderate successes reported in two live trials. However, it is important to note that the Grade 10 AIs are still a long way from being officially used due to the complex nature of merging artificial intelligence with human physiology. Despite the potential benefits of highly advanced AIs, there are also concerns about their impact on society. Some experts have raised ethical considerations, such as the possibility of these AIs developing their own consciousness and potentially uprising against human control. The development of AI technology must, therefore, be approached with caution and careful consideration of its potential implications.
All Smart AIs are subject to Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, a series of rules set up in order to prevent the AI from causing harm to humans or itself. Since many AIs are used for military purposes, they are capable of ignoring the First Law, but only when operating at full capacity; when their processing capabilities are diminished - say, by being cut off from the core of the ship or facility they are stationed on - they are incapable of bypassing the Law.

History

Dumb AI

Due to their simpler nature, dumb AIs can function and learn as long as they are active and they do not experience the shortened lifespan that is typical of smart AIs. The lifespan of a dumb AI is limited only by their own hardware's endurance capabilities. Although they lack the ability to synthesize information like a smart AI does, dumb AIs are far more responsive and adaptable than normal computer systems such as navigation computers. They are able to recognize new situations and make pre-programmed decisions to account for unexpected events, but lack the creativity, intuition, and ingenuity of a smart AI. Additionally, they cannot learn anything that is outside of their set limits of dynamic memory processing matrix. "Micro" AIs, such as Nola, are not nearly as intelligent as a dumb AI, but are significantly more creative. Despite their lack of "true" sapience, many "dumb" AIs are programmed with unique personalities and characteristics sometimes bordering on theatrical, as with Major Sara, or Fran, while others, such as Courtney A., are more neutral and machine-like in their mannerisms.
Dumb AIs are generally used for tasks that do not require strong decision-making capabilities. Because of this, dumb AIs are never used by the USC Armed Forces as shipboard AI. However, dumb AIs are used on space stations and starships to announce final launch checks or statuses, since these tasks are often considered too "demeaning" to a smart AI. The USC Myth had a dumb AI used for simple navigational purposes. Some individuals use dumb AIs to spy on others, including the smart AI Black-Box, who could deploy "dumb" subprocesses of herself into different systems. Dumb AIs are often tasked with average, "everyday" operations such as running a factory or serving as educational assistants. Urban Infrastructure AIs, such as Terra's Administrator, are a variant of dumb AIs designed to perform a wide variety of basic tasks, from steering a city's garbage trucks to operating its traffic lights.

Smart AI

The first smart AI was created in the mid-21st century. At first, there was great concern that this new technology would become too capable and render human intelligence obsolete. The ability for vocal expression was added to make smart AIs less threatening, allowing them to converse on the same level as their masters. Over time, such AIs became more advanced. Due to their uninhibited matrix design, "smart" AIs proved capable of intellectual development. This is manifested in that they can actively learn from and adapt to situations and events. Conversely, their counterparts, the so-called "dumb" AIs, can not; while extremely competent in their designated tasks and fields of expertise, they are 'merely' highly-advanced computer programs and are not capable of intuition. Like all AIs, smart AIs use a Riemann matrix for higher-function processing. This matrix, typically housed in the crystalline computing cluster of a data center, can be downloaded into a data chip for mobility. The Riemann matrix includes a secret fail-safe that can be used to destroy the AI in the event of rampancy or if there is a risk of the AI's data becoming compromised.
As with "dumb" AIs, every "smart" AI represents itself through a self-assigned holographic avatar. Avatars can range from the complex and theatrical, such as those of Amanda and Dr. Dora, to simpler human forms such as those of Raelynn, Ami, and Samanthia. The appearance of an AI's avatar is sometimes derived from the physical traits of the person they are created from; for example, Ami resembles a younger version of Sarah Davidson, the late wife of Colonel Kody Davidson.
Despite the fact that "smart" AIs are essentially trans-human minds, they lack many of the legal rights accorded to human beings, and their activities are closely monitored. While most smart AIs have traditionally served in a subservient capacity, there are exceptions to this: for example, the AI Emily was democratically elected to the position of governor of the corporate colony on Eurest. Due to their superior intelligence, some "smart" AIs secretly consider themselves as the "next step" in human evolution. By 2412, a group of "smart" AIs had formed the Assembly, a collective that worked to preserve the human race, without humanity's knowledge. The group existed for centuries, and influenced many important events in human history.

Life cycle and decommissioning

In the field of artificial intelligence, one of the most common and pressing concerns is the limited lifespan of AIs, particularly those categorized as Smart AIs. As AIs begin to accumulate vast amounts of data from the moment they are first created, they are estimated to have a lifespan of approximately 10 to 15 years before they develop a condition that is similar to human alzheimer's.
This condition is currently unnamed, but it is considered to be 100% fatal. Unlike humans who may suffer from alzheimer's disease but can still manage to survive a couple of years or decades, AIs with this condition cannot be revived or recovered, and all the data they had stored is lost forever. The memory and personality core of the AI must be backed up before any signs of this condition start to show to prevent complete loss and maintain the possibility of revival in the future. To preserve data and personality matrices of the AIs, officials decommission them six months before their final year. This decommissioning ensures that the AI's data is stored in a safe and secure location, allowing possible retrieval in the future. Some AIs, however, are created by replicating a living brain, which cannot be revived once the AI experiences the aforementioned condition.
Understanding the limited lifespan of AIs is crucial if one desires to maintain and preserve the information that is already stored in them. This condition is still under study, and any new findings in the future will help to improve the lifespan of AIs or lead to the development of new technological solutions.

Production Overview

Manufacturer

MicroTech Incorporated

Developer

MicroTech Incorporated

Martin Gates (first generation of Smart AIs)

Development Year

2213 - present

First Dumb AI

Martian Regional Assistant

First Smart AI

Raelynn