Apex AI

Apex is an artificial intelligence program built by Odin Bolverk to assist him with various technological tasks. Its processing power and speed is second only to the AI in control of Conquerors. According to certain galactic laws, Apex may be considered...slightly illegal.

"Isn't that...kind of illegal?"
"Well, technically, yes, but what the government doesn't know won't hurt them."

— Connor and Odin

Access

Apex is registered as a personal assistant AI. Access to the system and built-in personality is highly restricted to only Odin and his close friends. Many files are locked behind high-security firewalls and are only accessible with passwords, voice recognition, and scans. Since so many of Apex's most important files are locked with Odin's personal codes, in the event of his death no one would be able to access the "danger zone" as Odin calls it.

Complexity

Apex is the most complex and detailed personal AI in existence. It was created by combining several different AI systems, primarily a cargo ship inventory system and a communications assistant system. Both primary sources were heavily modified and added to until they formed an entirely different system. The modifications, additional coding, extra power sources, and security protocols make it impossible to hack into. Only Odin has the override codes.

Utility

“Authorization code, “Sugar does things to him.” Now open file, “SPRINKLES”, all caps. Who named these? ...Right, I did. Apex, was Owen in the room with me when I was naming these?”
“No, he was not.”
"Ah, just my own bad decisions, then. Note to self: make better names for these files.”

— Odin to Apex

Odin created Apex for two reasons: to help with multitasking and for artificial companionship. Odin had no friends or family when he combined the AI systems into Apex and wanted someone, even it was simply a mechanical voice, to speak to him. Although he eventually made friends and found a family with the group, he kept Apex as a virtual assistant for all his technological work.
Apex has many abilities, including but not limited to: galaxy-wide internet browsing, file management, situation analysis,

security overrides, and an artificial personality. Its ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously as well as run calculations, store information, and connect to other computer systems is unparalleled. All of this is accomplished through technically illegal means, considering that Apex is registered as a personal assistant AI but has the processing power of something like a mix between a military-grade or government database AI.
Despite its incredible power, Apex is completely loyal to Odin. It has never disobeyed his orders, never gone against his actions, and never told his secrets. Odin uses it primarily as a database, search engine, and assistant.

Apex, activate Project Phoenix.

— Odin Bolverk, Weapon of Death

Inventor(s)

Ian Dyn (communication assistant system)
Drosdan Engineering (cargo inventory system)
Odin Bolverk (final version)

The Safety of Loyalty

The reasons behind the IPA's Laws on Artificial Intelligence are rooted in the numerous AI takeovers that occurred during the time of the Polaris Alliance. These laws were drafted and implemented to protect humans and other sentient species from losing control of their technology. If AIs were too powerful, too independent, and too intelligent, what was to stop them from taking over?
Apex defies nearly all of the rules set out in the IPA's guidelines for Artificial Intelligence. Even ZDC, the AI in control of Zenricho's defenses, is carefully managed, kept without personality, and separated from all other systems. Apex has none of these precautions. It is self-aware, intelligent, capable of hacking into other systems, and as powerful as a government database. And yet it has never rebelled. Odin is entirely confident in his creation's loyalty, in its rational, and in the overrides he has placed on the systems. Apex is his friend, companion, and closest ally. It will not betray him. It knows him too well.

by Lilliana Casper