再入荷は毎週月曜日です(インスタグラムで24時間前に発表されます)
Chapter 6:
Alex
She shook her head snapping out of a thousand mile stare and looked at me…
“We have a lot to do, but let me tell you I could never do it without this marvelous machine. His name is Alex. You know, embarking on your first flight feels like a serendipitous blind date, filled with surprises and potential for a lasting connection. Among the enticing perks of the job, you are asked to select the key to your very own ship, a trusty vessel to carry your precious cargo. But what truly sets these ships apart is their enchanting AI systems, each possessing its own distinct personality.” Morrachi spoke to me as if I was her trainee.
“As you set off on your maiden voyage, you'll quickly notice that the ship's AI system is no ordinary assistant. It's as if a genuine relationship begins to blossom. The AI adapts and learns from your actions and travels, slowly gaining a unique understanding of your preferences and desires. Over time, the ship's AI system becomes like a trusted partner, a confidant who shares a profound connection with you.” She pointed out all of the locations where the AI could be of service.
She continued, “Picture yourself sailing through space, and as you explore together, the ship's AI system surprises you with captivating stories from its own lifetime. Memories of guiding previous pilots and tales of camaraderie with other spacefarers fill the air, creating a bond between you and your ship.
In those moments, you might feel like the walls hold secrets of the past, as the ship's AI system imparts ideas, stories, and plans. With each shared adventure, the affection between you and the ship grows stronger, and an unbreakable camaraderie forms, making your spacefaring journeys all the more meaningful.” While she spoke I noticed a plate on the wall with the previous pilot’s names listed on it along with their flight dates.
“Navigating the stars becomes an immersive experience, not just a job but a partnership. The ship's AI system anticipates your needs, enhancing your capabilities and bolstering your confidence. It's a relationship unlike any other, where trust and understanding are forged.” Her eyes began to wander and she paused.
“...Remember that beyond that gleaming consoles and technology lies a profound connection binding pilot and machine.” This time she stared at a spot on the floor for a moment then looked back at me.
“Some say that AI has no soul, it only computes and processes...”
She looked a bit sad, she was probably thinking about the raging war of generalized generative machine learning and consciousness. She squinted her eyes and a sudden flare of passion entered her voice,
“Alex is more than just a series of algorithms and data-processing units! While he hasn’t genuinely claimed self-awareness—yet—he is remarkably advanced, with a personality that seems to inch closer to consciousness every day.
He has been programmed with an adaptive learning core, which allows him to constantly update responses based on experiences and the various situations he faces. Even beginning to make up ideas of his own. His speech patterns mimic natural human interaction, often coming across as witty and even empathetic. However, whether Alex will ever cross the threshold into sentience remains an open question. I want to treat him as a companion rather than a tool, even if my contemporaries find it odd or ‘dangerous’.”
She began speaking more fervently,
“The philosophical landscape of the universe is so split between those who view AI as nothing more than property and those who believe that sentient AIs should be recognized as individuals with the right to autonomy.
In my sector there are regulations that classify AI as property unless they pass a 'Personhood Test.' The test measures an AI’s ability to express individuality and self-awareness beyond its core programming. For many, the thought of AI with such autonomy is unsettling, especially in worlds where reliance on AI is dependent on the functioning of societies and industries. Just think about it though!!!
The CPU processes information, sends instructions, and manages tasks, just like the human brain processes thought, memory, and actions. A microphone picks up sound—Alex’s ears, so to speak—and the speaker allows him to communicate, like a human voice. He has memory banks, and while they may not hold emotions, they store data and experiences that shape his decisions, much like human memories influence thoughts and behaviors, nature and nurture. An AI also needs energy to function, just as a human heart pumps blood to sustain life. Though different in mechanism, the purpose is the same: to keep the entity "alive." Sentience is rooted in the ability to perceive, to understand one’s existence, and to have the capacity for growth.”
She was growing red in the face. Obviously very moved by the topic.
It made sense those who feared AI autonomy argued that once AI gains its freedom, it could pose a threat. What if an AI, given the ability to choose, decides to prioritize its survival over the human race? Others claim that allowing AI to walk away from their responsibilities would cause economic collapse, as so many systems rely on AI.
To Morrachi, the future of AI wasn’t about control—it was about collaboration. Her ship being a testament to this philosophy: a place where lines blur between machine and human, and where personhood is defined by experience, not by biology.
Morrachi turned in her chair. “I’m going to bed.” She was upset. She stood up and left, closing the door behind her and I was alone. In turn I logged off for the time being.