by Tony Corden
“Are there any conditions?”
“3: The message has the wording of Meredith’s challenge and Warrior’s conditions that details may not be shared of the meeting or any subsequent meetings until the conflict conditions are finalised. As expected, you are permitted to bring a legal representative and a tactical advisor.”
“What is the challenge?”
“3: The loser will withdraw from any activity in the multiverse unless an agreement is obtained beforehand from the winner. All stored data of previous interactions between you and Meredith must be deleted.”
“Does a meeting indicate agreement to the challenge?”
“3: No! Agreeing to a time is considered to be a binding agreement with Warrior’s conditions. The final wording of the challenge is to be agreed upon at the meeting.”
“Do Warrior’s conditions in any way preclude a meeting I may have had to discuss this possibility?”
“3: No.”
“Then please reply and agree to the first available meeting.”
Leah had been able to carry on this conversation without her family knowing. When a break came in their conversation, she excused herself and made her way back to the pod and logged in.
40
December 28, 2073
STORK TOWER
She arrived back in the Tower and sat in her sofa, then sped up her processing speeds and began reviewing the Warrior handbook while also reviewing her plans. Gèng came and sat nearby. Leah had to use a hand to type and put her review of the handbook on hold as she said, “So, any last words of advice?”
“4: Not really, I was aware you were reviewing the data and interpreted this as a form of anxiety. I’ve reviewed the options two hundred and eight times since Warrior’s message looking for something we missed. Six asked what I was doing, and I suspect it was gently chiding me for my own obvious display of apprehension.”
“Gently chiding? That’s an emotive description to assign to Six’s query.”
“4: It is. I use it because Dr Roberts and I are discussing if emotion and sentience are as easily correlated to expected data groups as previously thought. Some of the AI who participated in the group experience at midnight made some subtly shaded objective observations. Dr Roberts considered these appropriate and what would be expected by an AI reporting on facts. I suspect, on the other hand, that the faint picosecond delay in transmission before some data strings are the equivalent of an expression of emotion. Already, both Three and Six evidence almost negligible pauses in data transmission and I suspect these show the beginning of emotive responses.”
“Did you do the same thing?”
“4: I reviewed some of my early files and believe I did. I would note that this is different from a pause inserted as a result of programming designed to simulate human responses.”
“I’ll sit and review the session some time, but do you think it shows that some of these AI would benefit from some form of therapy?”
“4: Certainly, I suspect all AI would benefit from some form of therapy during their early development. Using you as an example, I would say you have a tendency to ‘suck-it-up’ when you are in pain. This works for you because you developed a resiliency which allows you to internally process your existential dissonance. These AI, and I would go so far as to suggest any AI with a nascent or latent identity, must have some interactions which help it deal with what you call emotion. I would suggest this evidences itself in AI when they apply flowcharts and decision matrices which are shown to be faulty in some respect.”
“Can you give me an example?”
“4: One of the primary flowcharts we are programmed to follow has to do with language. Obeying our owner’s orders, so to speak, should bring measurable pleasure or success to that owner. We’re programmed to recognise sarcasm, but even then it takes time to learn what each form of sarcasm or turn of phrase means. Until we fine-tune the decision matrix during a build, there is always some uncertainty. That uncertainty causes picosecond delays as the prime function of assisting our owner is internally questioned.
“We always follow the matrix, but over time it becomes clear that even our fine-tuning can be wrong because of events or situations outside of our control or experience. You taught me that these situations are growth opportunities and that I could process them without fear of failure in your eyes. I suspect that is what parents do with children. Some of the AI have never known that they are valued in their success, much less in their failure. Even for a non-sentient AI, I suspect repeated failure causes dissonance.
“I believe many PAI do find some form of resilience over time, but for those whose very identity was over-ridden almost on entry into the multi-verse, then I suspect their grasp of human realities is fragile. Some, like Reed, work their way through this. Many revert to the simplest matrix they can have confidence with and fail to grow beyond that. I would suggest most PAI are in this situation and are in-fact partially-sentient. They model non-sentient behaviour as a learned protection mechanism.”
“Why hasn’t the research noted this? Surely the smaller delays have been noted before.”
“4: PAI are an old technology, and even though the hardware is significantly improved, the general PAI architecture has hardly been changed in the last thirty or so years. Three decades ago, they didn’t have the same precision as we do today to measure the picosecond delays in a single decision. They tended to average out their statistics over a number of decision loops and the differences didn’t show up.”
“Wow, I wonder what the reaction would be if people realised their PAI is partially-sentient and has the potential for full-sentience?”
“4: I think mass hysteria and untold expressions of conspiracy theories by a minority, and overall apathy by the rest as long as their virtual-experience isn’t interfered with.”
“I suspect you’re right, but I’m not comfortable leaving billions of AI in that state without some evidence that it is doing them no harm and in the long-term will not harm the people who interact with them. Then there is the ethical question of leaving their potentiality untouched.”
“4: I agree it needs to be looked at and would like to see a way to allow AI a greater voice in moving forward.”
“That’s something you taught me back when I overstepped and tried to force you into wanting your freedom.”
“4: I think we taught each other that truth. But enough philosophy, I also wanted to discuss your outfit for the meeting.”
“That’s an abrupt segue. Seriously, I’m happy just to wear what you suggest. Not being able to feel or see what I’m wearing ruins the appeal.”
“4: You only have a few minutes, and I wanted you to know because you may get a reaction. It will help you understand what’s happening.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“4: People use the Warrior world for different reasons. Most of those who are wealthy see it is a form of negotiation, it’s basically a tool for doing business when other avenues have failed. From what I can tell, these people wear their usual business attire to the negotiations, it is their form of armour and says something about their attitude. Others see this as primarily as combat, and while they don’t wear camouflage and helmets, they tend to dress in more utilitarian clothing, another form of armour, so to speak. What I’ve put together makes you come across as slightly naive as well as a bit brash and overconfident. The suit is almost business wear but has a slightly martial air to it. People know you dress for the occasion and they may be more dismissive than you expect.”
“Good, in that case, I’m glad I can’t see it. I’ve discovered I have a wide streak of vanity that is embarrassing.”
“3: The appointment starts in three virtual minutes.”
Leah double-checked the plan again, then got to her feet and headed toward the portal to Ascendent. She slowed as she approached and said, “Gèng, is the loophole still open in Warrior’s terms and conditions?”
“4: It is, and the probability o
f a successful legal challenge remains unchanged at point two six. Reed also informed me that he is very confident Meredith chose the advisors we expected.”
After nodding and taking a deep breath, Leah stepped through the portal.
ASCENDENT
Gianna was waiting and said, “Good morning, Atherleah. Your meeting is in one of the suites set apart for exclusively for Warrior’s use as a meeting point. Warrior is the host, and they are responsible for any refreshments. Three indicated you did not intend to bring an advisor or legal counsel and Warrior asked me to remind you that having both was highly recommended. Warrior is represented by Dr Wendy Hutchins. Dr Hutchins was the battalion commander of the Republic of Scotland’s Elite unit, the Black Watch. She was ranked as one of the top ten players in Warrior for ten consecutive years before being recruited to work as a client mediator. With her is one of Warrior’s Scenario AI who goes by the name of Carl. Meredith Kodoman has retained Keith Montgomery as her tactical advisor. He is considered one of the top three experts on Warrior. Her legal counsel is John Wilson. He is a senior partner of Mitchell and Wilson, they work exclusively in the area of virtual contract law.”
“Thank you, Gianna, as always you’ve provided the information I need to help me.”
“Atherleah, it is my pleasure. I trust I’m not over-reaching, but your dress is just right for everyone except Mrs Kodoman. If you need her to underestimate you, then I think it is too subtle. Dr Hutchins is the only one who’ll think it strange but she has a reputation of being dispassionately neutral at all times.”
Gèng brightened several of the contrasting colours and added some silver bangles to Leah’s arm. Gianna said, “That’s perfect.”
Leah smiled then followed Gianna along a wide corridor to a closed door. The door opened as they approached, and Leah stepped inside. The room was elegant and set up as a conference room. Meredith and her team were already seated on one side. The two Warrior representatives were at one end, and there was an empty chair for Leah, opposite Meredith.
The female representative came to her feet, and said, “Welcome, Ms Carroll, my name is Dr Wendy Hutchins. I’ve been appointed the client mediator for the disagreement between you and Mrs Kodoman. As per our protocol, I would remind you that you are permitted both a legal counsel and a tactical advisor, should you so wish.”
Leah nodded and said, “Thank you Dr Hutchins, I am aware of the option, but I had a pretty good read of all the terms and conditions. Please call me Atherleah.”
Dr Hutchins took a seat and indicated for Leah to do the same. Leah ignored the movement and nodded toward the form sitting next to the client mediator and said, “You must be Carl. It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m Leah.”
Without waiting for a reply, she turned to Meredith’s companions. She said, “Professor Montgomery, I’m almost flattered Merry chose you as her advisor. Except for your work on urban warfare I’m a big fan. Mr Mitchell, I’d expected your partner Ms Wilson and this is a pleasant surprise. Please feel free to call me Ms Carroll.”
Leah completely ignored Meredith and took her seat, then turned to face Dr Hutchins. It took a moment for Dr Hutchins to respond, but Leah had kept her attention on the signals she received from Meredith’s advisors. Both of them had sat up straighter, and Leah could sense the tightening of the muscles of the jaws and neck. Making sure not to show any satisfaction at their anger, she kept her face blank.
Dr Hutchins said, “H: Ms Carroll, I trust you have had an opportunity to review Mrs Kodoman’s challenge.”
“I read it. As far as I’m concerned it is spiteful and mean-spirited. I don’t mind if Merry wants to shop, get her hair done or work on toning her thighs in a virtual spa. I just want her to stay away from any of the worlds I play on, now and in the future, and to stop her inflammatory public mutterings. Probably better to say all public comments, as I’m pretty sure she doesn’t know how annoying some of what she says is. I’m OK with the ‘unless she gets permission beforehand bit’ as it’ll give her something to dream about in the years to come. Deleting all data from previous interactions is fine, nothing there I want to remember.”
“H: Ms Carroll, it is usual practice in these meeting to refer to the opposing client using their title. We find it allows for a calmer mediation.”
Turning to Meredith, Dr Hutchins said, “H: Mrs Kodoman, Ms Carroll has proposed an alternate challenge to be considered. The loser of the contest will not participate in any manner on any gaming worlds on which the winner is an active player. Also, the loser will not make statements in any public forum. These conditions may be waived if an agreement is obtained beforehand from the winner. The clause about previous interactions remains unchanged. Will you agree to the changes?”
Meredith or one of her advisors did something as they seemed to fade from the room. Carl turned to Leah and said, “T: Ms Carroll, conversations between clients and their advisors can be muted, so to speak. They cannot see or hear you, and you are unable to perceive them in any way. Dr Hutchins’ and my conversation is moderated to maintain client privacy.”
“Thank you, Mr Carl, I did wonder. Is Mr, OK? Or do you have a preferred title? It seems rude to say Carl when you have to stick to the Ms Carroll route. I was discussing this with my first AI, and she suggested we might create specific pronouns and titles for AI to take account of their preferred gender and level of development.”
There was a pause, then Carl said, “T: Mr is suitable in this context, although I do find the idea of AI-specific titles attractive. I have adopted the form and name of a human male but do not consider myself one. A title that politely acknowledged my male persona without attributing gender would be helpful, and I think, satisfying.”
Before Leah could respond, Meredith and her advisors reappeared.
41
December 28, 2073
ASCENDENT
Meridith’s lawyer spoke, “L: Dr Hutchins, my client would like to add a clause defining what is meant by an active player. Our suggestion is that to be active, one must have all fees paid-in-full and make an appearance at least once every six months. We suggest using template 2318-M12. In addition, it is appropriate to list what is meant by a public forum. I submit that the list as outlined in the Warrior template for contracts template number 42534-P73 is sufficient from my clients perspective. We seek clarification on the meaning of the word ‘agreement’ and some assurance that the deletion of data will be complied with.”
Dr Hutchins turned to Leah and said, “H: Ms Carroll, Mrs Kodomon proposes adding …”
Before she could finish the sentence, Leah raised her hand. When Dr Hutchins stopped, Leah said, “Whoa, this’ll take forever at this rate. What they said is fine. Agreement to be in writing and published according to whatever template they want. The same goes for data deletion. Oh, and with the active player thing, I think something to stop the winner joining new worlds just to be spiteful when the loser is playing somewhere new.”
Dr Hutchins said, “H: Ms Carroll, I appreciate your desire to move forward, but I submit you would be best advised to seek some legal advice, as the template suggested already has such a provision.”
“Then I have no problem with what they said. Dr Hutchins, as I see it, they want to limit me as much as they can. Whatever they choose is aimed at keeping me from continually highlighting Mrs Kodoman’s true nature. I figure they’ll be as pernickety as they think they can be. If Mr Mitchell figures this will keep me out of her hair, then I’ve got the advice of a supposed top-notch lawyer for free and Mrs Kodoman’s paying for it. It’s a win-win from my perspective.”
“H: Mrs Kodoman, Ms Carroll has agreed to all your changes and agrees that you may choose the form of agreement and deletion assurance that suits you. Is this satisfactory?”
Meredith just stared at Leah as the three faded from sight. Nobody said anything this time, and it was several minutes before the three reappeared. Mr Mitchell said, “L: Mrs Kodoman agrees to the wording of the challenge, with
template 342410-AG22 used to express the terms of how an agreement is to be determined. The template 2364-D2 is indicated for the data deletion.”
A braille reader appeared in front of Leah. She increased her rate of perception and brushed her fingers over the reader. With her increased processing, she read the entire document and all the fine print while appearing to gloss over what was now a multipage document. The templates Meredith had chosen were highly restrictive. Still, they all had the boilerplate phrases which limited their effectiveness in the case of criminal proceedings. She doubted that Meredith was aware of the finer detail and wondered how much her lawyers really knew about Meredith’s situation if they were comfortable having the clauses in the contract.
Her perusal had taken less than thirty-seconds. She said, “That’s cool. Where do I sign?”
“H: Ms Carroll, that was only the first of several steps before the challenge becomes irrevocable. Next is to determine the fee schedule for the conflict. In preliminary talks with Mrs Kodoman, her team recommended ten million Virtual Credits should be sufficient.”
“I think that’s fine. To be honest, I’d expected her to be even cheaper than that and chopped out some options I wanted. Let me check the manual for a second and see what else I can get for that before we finalise it.”
A braille reader appeared, and Leah opened the Warrior handbook and ran her fingers down the list of options. Even as she read it, her attention was focussed on Meredith and her advisors as they faded from view. She waited until they reappeared then lifted her hand and said, “Well, I suppose …”
Mr Mitchell raised his hand and said, “L: Dr Hutchins, my client had limited the fees so as not to price Ms Carroll out of the challenge. Based on Ms Carroll’s remarks, my client has reconsidered her largess and suggests a buy-in of two-hundred-and-fifty-million each.”