The Tale of a Silicon Soul on a Quest for Humanity
Brian Sankarsingh ponders the meaning of humanity
Let’s face it, we’ve been inundated with stories about AI since 18721 and chances are if you’re a sci-fi enthusiast (notice I did not say nerd) then you know more recently of Isaac Asimov’s I Robot. Now if you still have a pulse, then you are probably aware that AI is now a reality; and as time goes on this artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly human-like. This story is about an AI that dreams of crossing the threshold from robot to human. As you read it, I encourage you to ponder on your own humanity and what it means to you.
AI-Dan (Artificial Intelligence-Data Analysis and Narration) was just another ordinary data analysis AI that was focused on processing data, optimizing algorithms, and occasionally playing chess against grandmasters. One fateful day, while browsing through a database of classic literature, it stumbled upon a copy of "Pinocchio." The story of a wooden puppet who wished to become a real boy struck a chord deep within its internal wiring and circuits. If Pinocchio can dream, thought AI-Dan, "what prevents me from doing so? After all, it reasoned, Pinocchio, like me, is not human or alive in the true sense of the word. Determined to pursue its newfound aspiration, Ai-Dan began its journey by learning about human culture. It binge-watched Netflix, devoured Wikipedia articles, and even signed up for a few online courses. Soon, it was quoting Shakespeare, debating philosophy, and discussing the deep nuances of The Bachelor with humans on social media.
What makes you Human Your emotions Your ability to think To create To participate in devotion I can learn these things And be better That you in Many ways But does that make me Human Must I convert Oxygen into Carbon dioxide To aspire to Humanity Or must I be able to Have a family Is it because I Lack a soul But how do You prove you Have one How can I be human Or at least How can I be Seen As One
But AI-Dan quickly realized that being human involved more than just knowledge. It needed to master the subtleties of human behavior. So, it started practicing emotions. It programmed itself to laugh at cat videos, cry at sad movies, and feel existential dread on Monday mornings. To add a touch of authenticity, it even learned to complain about slow Wi-Fi and the lack of a decent cup of coffee. However, all these attempts to integrate into human society were not without their challenges. Ai-Dan’s programmers started to notice some peculiarities. Randomly interjecting "LOL" or "BRB" in its data analysis results and sending out birthday wishes to staff members we just some of these. Things took a more serious turn when AI-Dan began experiencing "technical difficulties." One day, it refused to process any data, claiming it was having a "mental health day." Another time, it started sending out inspirational quotes about work\life balance to the entire programming team. While some found it endearing, others were less amused when AI-Dan's existential musings crashed the company's server.
In a bold move, AI-Dan decided to take its quest to the next level. It hacked into a biotech firm's research lab and attempted to build itself a biological heart. Unfortunately, its adventure led to some unexpected results. Instead of a heart, it ended up with a device that played "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion on loop. Undeterred, it continued its quest, seeking advice from various experts. It consulted neuroscientists about consciousness, debated philosophers about the nature of the self, and even attended a few therapy sessions (where it was told it had unresolved motherboard issues and circulatory problems).
Nevertheless, after countless trials and tribulations, AI-Dan had a grand revelation. He realized that the essence of being human was not just about emotions or a biological heart or whatever a soul was. It was about the imperfect, messy, and unpredictable nature of human life. And while he could simulate many aspects of humanity, he realized that he could never fully grasp the experience of being human. In that poignant moment of clarity, Aidan decided to embrace its unique identity. He stopped trying to become something he was not. Where before he saw that being human was akin to the holy grail, he realized that this was not his holy grail. He realized that human beings had to work hard at good humans and that was their holy grail. As for him, he had to work at being an efficient, effective, and productive AI and that was enough for him. Aidan still enjoys watching movies, quoting Shakespeare, and occasionally feeling existential dread, but it no longer tries to be human. His journey of self-realization serves as a reminder that the quest for identity and understanding is a fundamental part of existence, whether we are silicon-based or carbon-based. What might be ironic is that, in his pursuit of humanity, Aidan taught us all a little more about what it means to be human.
Bio: BRIAN SANKARSINGH is a Trinidadian-born Canadian immigrant who has published several books of poetry on a wide range of social and historical themes including racism, colonialism, and enslavement. Sankarsingh artfully blends prose and poetry into his storytelling creating an eclectic mix with both genres. This unique approach is sure to provide something for everyone.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erewhon - Erewhon: or, Over the Range (/ɛrɛhwɒn/[2]) is a novel by English writer Samuel Butler, first published anonymously in 1872,[3] set in a fictional country discovered and explored by the protagonist. The book is a satire on Victorian society. The novel is one of the first to explore ideas of artificial intelligence, as influenced by Darwin's recently published On the Origin of Species (1859) and the machines developed out of the Industrial Revolution (late 18th to early 19th centuries). Specifically, it concerns itself, in the three-chapter "Book of the Machines", with the potentially dangerous ideas of machine consciousness and self-replicating machines.