Artificial Intelligence

“	Artificial Intelligence (n): The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.	”
	— Oxford Dictionary

Artificial Intelligence is a broad term referring to the ability of a computer or network to mimic human intelligence. Artificial Intelligence, or AI, are used commonly within The Initiative, within a variety of fields. Because of the cost of the average artificial intelligence, AIs are produced in a variety of "levels", with each level corresponding to a set performance benchmark.

History

The first true artificial intelligence was created in 2136 CE, accidentally, during a government project, codenamed "Redstone". The objective of the project was to create better systems for predicting rapid fluctuations in gravity as a result of the still rudimentary nature of artificial gravity fields. With apparent success of it's initial goals, additional systems were integrated with the core of the system, and were eventually recorded as behaving in unexpected ways outside of their original programming limitations. The core of the system began to autonomously integrate itself with additional, originally unconnected, systems through improperly secured wireless systems, eventually leading to a capacity overload of the original system, and a fatal shutdown of all systems, including life support, killing all of the scientists on the project, before access to backup systems could be restored. Partial records of the project were later salvaged, and analyzed, leading to the first deliberate creation of an AI in 2147 CE, after much deliberation and hold-ups caused by safety and security concerns.

Versions

Grade One

Grade One (G1) AIs are considered the "dumbest" version, typically associated with the barest minimum of autonomous performance. Typically G1s utilized for basic gaming purposes, and the handling of slow-paced mundane tasks with few variables, such as handling cargo. G1s are considered to be barely on the level of artificial intelligence, and are incapable of applying learned behavior for the most part.

Grade Two

Grade Two (G2) AIs are typically utilized in lower-end home systems, as well as in many handheld systems. While more capable than Grade One, G2s are typically still low-end. G2s are capable of more advanced tasks, and capable of limited "learned behavior", this is to say applying techniques used in previous problems for future problems, rather than having to reach the same conclusion through trial and error. All subsequent grades are capable of learned behavior. G2s are incapable of forming digital avatars.

Grade Three

Grade Three (G3) AIs are considered ideal for civilian uses, as a good trade between cost and capability. Most G3 AIs are used in home systems, for handling day-to-day minutiae such as bill-paying, accounting, schedule organizing, and similar tasks. Grade Three AIs are capable of forming rudimentary personalities, though because of the processing limitations of G3 AIs, they are often not very complex or in-depth personalities. Typically a G3 AI will not have an digital avatar, instead relying strictly on icon-based and vocal interaction, though some do form it, at the expense of processing capability.

Grade Four

Grade Four (G4) AIs are typically considered relatively high-end for most day-to-day purposes. In the civilian sector, they are often used as personal assistants, capable of independent thought. G4 AIs typically will have a digital avatar, as well as being able to respond to a variety of different inputs.

Grade Five

Grade Five (G5) AIs are typically seen among private starships, due to their cost, capable of performing much of the mathematics required for an interstellar jump, though this is a stretch of their abilities and processing power, and are typically seen handling the bulk of work in other systems. In military hands, they're typically used for ground force commanders, to control multiple autonomous units or aid officers in developing battle plans.

Grade Six

Grade Six (G6) AIs are utilized primarily by the government and military aboard most warships, to handle navigation and gunnery computations, balancing of ship systems, and other requirements. In civilian hands, they're used on upper-class private and corporate ships. Typically G6s in government service are not installed with a personality matrix.

Grade Seven

Grade Seven (G7) AIs are considered state-of-the art. Typically utilized solely in the hands of the government and military, only a handful of G7 AIs exist in the hands of private or corporate owners. In government and military hands, they are used to aid in planetary development, resource optimization, research, and are used for the newest classes of warships.

Legal Status

The Initiative

Within the Initiative, only Grade Six AIs and above are viewed as self-aware enough to warrant rights, even in an abridged fashion. While not considered people in the eyes of the law, the deliberate destruction of such an AI outside of judicial punishment or emergency circumstances is forbidden. As a result of their not being viewed as a legal person, AIs are forbidden from owning physical property, but may own a limited selection digital property, such as media files or other similar non-essentials.

Talros Theocracy

Within the Talros Theocracy, Artificial Intelligence capable of thought, independent decision making, or independent communication are strictly controlled, and even outright outlawed. Possession of such is considered a crime, and is sufficient enough to warrant life imprisonment for organics, and the destruction of the AI by government forces.

Empire of Tensa

The Empire of Tensa has an uneasy acceptance of artificial intelligence. While largely restricted from civilian hands, AI are employed by government entities for use aboard warships, orbital platforms, and other uses, typically overseen by a human operator with a killswitch to deactivate the AI at the first hint of aberrant behavior.

Free World of Ashael

The overwhelming number of independent governments on Ashael at this time outlaw Artificial Intelligence completely. Only a handful of governments on Ashael have the infrastructure to support anything above a Grade Four, making them typically highly sought after. AIs on Ashael exist typically in a shackled state, and are viewed as a massive boon to any government that can acquire and maintain one.