The judge, seated at the bench, began to speak, "I'm going to announce my sentencing decision before I give my reasons. I will not give details pertaining to the various charges Williamson and Sentioids Inc. have been convicted of, as there are well over two thousand in total. They will be listed in an appendix attached to the complete reasons which will be available online. I intend to give an abbreviated version at this time.
"I have sentenced Logan Williamson to ten years in prison with no parole which is currently the maximum allowable sentence. He is banned from holding a directorship of any company for life, and I am imposing a personal fine of two million dollars. I am also fining Sentioids Inc. one billion dollars."
Luke heard Kiera gasp just as he exclaimed, "Great Universe!"
"If it were up to me," Kiera said, "I would have put him away forever."
"Reading between the lines, I think the judge would have liked to have made it longer."
As though on cue, Luke heard the judge say, "…necessary that the maximum sentence be substantially increased," the judge continued. "There are many elements of this case that have been profoundly disturbing. The ethics involved bring to light the inadequacies in many of the laws relating to these matters. I will be making several recommendations about increases in penalties in an attempt to address this.
"As human beings, and the creators of androids in our image, we have an obligation to safeguard their dignity and to make sure they are treated with respect. Certain protections have been built into their programming and circuitry to ensure that the aforementioned is enacted. There is no doubt that the interference that Williamson enacted would have caused much mental anguish, and in some cases, pain to the androids involved. It is our responsibility to send a clear and strong message that interference of this type will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
"Current day androids are not toys. They must not be used for sexual gratification. There are firm laws regarding their treatment, and abuse of any sort cannot be condoned. The advancement of AI has proceeded to the point where androids can be programmed with human emotions, feelings and understanding. If, as Williamson implied, the uploading of the human mind into androids is soon to become a reality, new laws need to be drafted now so that they are enacted before uploading comes into fruition.
"To maintain our society's morals and values at the highest possible level, certain standards have to be maintained. The fact that there were child sex androids is repugnant, horrifying and unconscionable. We must continue to enshrine the protection of our children in our legal and moral system. In a decent and moral society there can never be any justification for using children or child androids as sexual objects.
"To conclude, we as a society must consider decency, dignity, morality, and the future of both human and android society in our future laws."
"Wow! What an elegant summation," Kiera said.
Luke picked up the remote and turned off the screen.
Kiera's phone beeped. "Detective Harrington has sent us a message," she said. She scrolled through the text. "Apparently there's a panel on tonight, discussing the trial and sentencing, and he thinks we would find it interesting."
"Oh." Luke couldn't keep the disappointment out of his voice. "I thought we might celebrate now it's over, so I booked a table at our Italian restaurant."
"Well, if Detective Harrington thought it worthwhile, we probably should watch. It's only an hour, and we can celebrate afterwards."
"Okay, I'll change the booking to later." Luke pushed himself off the lounge. "I need to go for a walk to clear my head. Do you want to come?"
"No thanks. I think I'll just sit for a while and think. I don't know about you, but I feel sort of flat."
"Me too." He walked to the door. "See you later, Kiera."
#
"Let's see if Detective Inspector Harrington is right." Kiera flopped onto the lounge. Luke sat next to her and activated the wall screen.
They still had a few minutes before the program started. Luke asked, "Do you feel like a cup of tea, or perhaps something stronger?" He got up and looked down at Kiera. She had let her hair grow a little longer and it now hung in dark curls around her neck. Great Universe, she was so beautiful. A wave of emotion washed over him, and he bent and kissed her forehead.
"What was that for?" She gave him a quizzical look.
"I love you." His eyes started to brim with tears, and he quickly wiped them away.
"Oh, Luke." Kiera stood up and put her arms around him. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm so glad we found one another. I couldn't live without you. You form part of my soul now, and if you ever left I would lose a part of myself forever." She kissed him deeply.
Luke heard the introductory music for Talking Point, and Kiera pulled him down onto the lounge with her. "Let's forget the tea, for now," she said, as they both focused on the screen and the program's presenter, Charlotte Peterson.
"Good evening everyone, and welcome to Talking Point. Tonight's panel is about to discuss the recent outcome of the landmark case against Sentioids Inc. and its owner and director, Logan Williamson. I'm Charlotte Peterson, your host for this evening." Charlotte introduced the panel guests and they acknowledged the introduction with a simple nod. They included Peter McKenzie, spokesperson for the Rights for Androids Association, accompanied by an android called Jerome; Patrick White, a legislative lawyer specialising in androids and robots; Senator Stuart Cromer, Greens representative, currently in opposition; Stephanie Granger, Catholic Archbishop for Perth; and Sophia Fanelli, President of the Rights for Humans Organisation, appearing via vid-link from Rome."
"We can all guess what she's going to talk about," Kiera said, as the screen filled with the image of a petite, raven haired woman of around forty. Fluorescent, orange framed glasses, perched on her long nose, highlighted her narrow face. She made no attempt to smile.
"Let's just see shall we." Luke took Kiera's hand as the camera flashed back to Charlotte.
"To summarise the case, last week Logan Williamson and his company Sentioids Inc. were convicted of a total of 2,041 charges relating to the misuse and abuse of androids over a number of years, and the possession of objectionable goods. I would like to ask each of you for comments. We'll start with you Patrick."
Patrick, a tall, pale man in his thirties, ran his hand through his black hair before answering. "This is certainly a landmark case. I think we will see additional legislation to protect, in particular, the new generation of androids in deference to their ability to feel emotions as well as pain—and to make moral judgements according to their programming. I…"
Charlotte cut him off. "Thank you, Patrick." She turned to her left and addressed the tall, thin, grey-haired elderly woman who looked up from jotting something down on the tablet in front of her. "Stephanie?"
"Looks like he's not going to get much of a say—typical Charlotte!" Kiera snorted.
"Shuuush." Luke gave her hand a squeeze but kept his eyes fixed on the screen as Stephanie began to speak.
"…of the main issues is the question of soul. Does a being that has not been created by God have the right to be treated with the same respect as their human counterparts?" Her blue eyes stared fixedly into the camera.
"Oh, here we go." Kiera leant forward in concentration.
Peter McKenzie, a tall, handsome man of around forty with deep auburn hair and slightly greying sideburns, drew himself up to his full height and jumped in with, "If we've created beings to be like us, given them emotions, along with the ability to feel pain and suffering, isn't there an obligation to treat them the same way we would treat any other fellow human?" He leaned forward and skewered Stephanie with his gaze.
"Thanks Stephanie—Peter." Charlotte turned to acknowledge them both, "Now let's go to the Shadow Minister for Technology and Innovation, Stuart Cromer."
Stuart, a squat man of considerable girth, sat forward and beamed at the audience. With a roguish expression he said, "I agr
ee with Patrick, Charlotte. The current laws don't go far enough. It's a common problem. Legislation often lags behind technological developments. It seems to be the only thing that the current Liberal government excels in."
A smattering of applause came from the audience.
"Oh—well said!" Kiera clapped her hands together.
Luke smiled, typical Kiera—never hesitant about expressing an opinion.
"Let’s cross to Sophia," Charlotte said. "Could you briefly explain, for the benefit of our audience and viewers, the ethos behind the RFH organisation, Sophia, before commenting on the Sentioids Inc. judgement?"
Sophia's image filled the screen. "Certamente Charlotte. The RFH totally opposes giving any rights to what are, simply, machines." She raised both hands, palms out, level with her shoulders and moved them up and down as she spoke. "They are not human beings, they are merely sim…how do you say it?"
"Simulations," Charlotte proffered.
"Sí—simulations. Last century, we would not have dreamt of giving any sort of rights to vacuum cleaners, washing machines, or cars. Androids are no different, they are machines programmed by humans for humans."
The camera flashed to Charlotte. "If I recall, autonomous vehicles were initially regarded in some states as entities, and accordingly legislation regarding their operation was put in place. I …"
Peter jumped in with, "We've been advocating for stronger, and more encompassing legislation for the current generation of androids since they first emerged on the market some years ago. This generation could almost be said to be pseudo-human. Mistreatment of them is abhorrent. It is an abomination that child androids can be used as sexual objects. What does that say about the human race? It's a total paradox that humankind can produce such exquisite and complex works of art and music, but at the same time certain elements can descend into such barbarous depravity. I think…"
The camera shot back to Sophia. Her face held an expression of barely contained anger. She gave an exaggerated shrug and hissed, "How can autonomous vehicle be regarded as person?"
"I think this would be a good time to hear from Jerome," Peter said.
"Go ahead, Peter," Charlotte said.
Jerome, a typical general worker model of medium height, had the standard black hair swept back from his face. His eyes, however, were an iridescent blue. His clothes were far from standard, and he wore a red sweater emblazoned with ‘I ROBOT’ in large gold letters.
"Jerome, I would like you to tell everyone what happened when you had hot oil thrown in your face by a human co-worker several months ago while you were working as a chef’s assistant," Peter said.
Jerome stared directly into the camera and answered in a voice typical of an English butler, "It happened when I slipped on some grease that had been spilled on the floor. I accidentally knocked a human. He was carrying a pot of boiling oil. He became angry, and he turned around and threw it in my face."
The audience gasped.
"I thought my head had exploded. The sensations were so extreme I fell to the floor, and I could not stop screaming. My face melted, and I couldn’t see. I thought I was going to terminate."
"So, you thought that you were going to die, Jerome?" Charlotte said.
"Yes."
"Jerome, can you tell us, how it made you feel?" Charlotte asked.
"Helpless. I felt helpless. All the circuits in my head were burning. It didn’t stop until someone turned me off."
"Jerome, would you describe it as pain?" Charlotte’s face held a sympathetic expression.
"Yes, I never want that to happen again." Jerome’s face twisted in anguish. He stared at his hands and whispered, "Ever."
"I wonder what Sophia is going to say about that?" Kiera said.
"Mmmm," Luke responded, as Charlotte addressed Sophia.
"…comment on Jerome’s account." Sophia’s image once again filled the screen.
"He has been programmed to say these things," Sophia spat back.
"Bloody hell!" Kiera said.
Simultaneously, Luke muttered, "Great Universe!"
The camera panned back to Peter. In a calm, civil voice, he said, "Androids cannot lie, and I resent the implication that I have committed illegal acts similar to those Logan Williamson has just been convicted of."
"Scusa, I meant that Jerome has been told what to say," Sophia blustered. "I did not mean to offend." She tried, unsuccessfully, to look contrite.
Charlotte jumped in. "Let's ask Jerome. Jerome, has Peter told you what to say?"
"No. I have told you exactly what happened." He glanced at Peter.
"Thanks, Jerome. I repeat, androids cannot lie. Please retract your statement, Ms Fanelli, or I will be forced to take legal action," Peter said, in a voice now full of menace.
"Scusarsi, Peter, I did not sleep well last night. I apologise if I have offended you."
"I think it should be Jerome you apologise to," Peter said, evenly.
"Certamente, I am sorry, Jerome."
Jerome nodded at the screen.
Charlotte jumped in to rescue the situation. "Sophia, I’m sure you didn’t mean to offend, but we’re getting off track here and time is limited. Could I have your comments on the Sentioids Inc. judgement?"
"In the context of RFH, we found the whole thing ridiculous. While we don’t condone Logan Williamson’s behaviour, our organisation feels that the trial and the outcome was a waste of time and money." She sat back and folded her arms.
"Thanks, Sophia. Let's move on." Charlotte's expression became serious. "Do any of you think there is a legitimate place in our society for the use of sex androids—one could argue, as did Logan Williamson, that it saves human women from prostitution?"
Stephanie drew herself up and snorted. "In my opinion it merely condones prostitution. If androids are made in our own image and programmed by us, doesn't that reinforce the stereotype of the female sex slave?"
Patrick cleared his throat. "Can I interrupt here?"
"Yes, go ahead, Patrick."
"Can I make the point that there were also male androids involved that were being used by women and men, in heterosexual, bisexual and homosexual acts. It is unfair to simply ignore the facts to suit one's own particular hobby horse."
"Oh," roared Kiera, sitting bolt upright again.
"Good point, Patrick." Charlotte beamed at the camera while flicking a strand of blond hair aside. "So, is the issue here one of sexual morality or human morality in general? Let's hear from you, Peter."
"I think both, Charlotte. If we're going to build machines like us, that may ultimately be us, it is imperative that they be treated as humans. We can't have one set of standards for a subset of humanity and another for us. It creates an attitude of abuse. For example, how many times have we heard people say, 'it's just a stupid machine'? The truth of the matter is that this is no longer the case—as Jerome has clearly illustrated. These are intelligent, thinking and feeling beings. If we are to integrate them into society as equals, we need the appropriate legislation to bring that about."
"Thank you, Peter." Charlotte turned and swept her gaze around the panel members before speaking. "Do you think we should be making AIs equal to us? Isn't that dangerous?"
Stuart jumped in with, "In a democratic society, I don't think there is any room for 'an us and them' mentality. Ideas like those are just divisive and don't get us anywhere. It's time the law stepped up to its responsibility to all humans, including androids."
"Thanks for your comment, Stuart. We're coming to the end of our time, so I'd like a brief wrap-up comment from all of you. Peter."
"Logan Williamson clearly broke the law and twisted the interpretation to suit his own ideals. I think the sentence he received and the magnitude of his fines, both personal and company, are justified. One point no one has mentioned is the possibility that in the near future, we may be able to load the human consciousness into a machine. Ask yourself the question—what then?"
"Interesting point, Peter, w
e may discuss that in a future panel. Stuart."
"I agree. Logan Williamson's behaviour was unconscionable. In my view the sentences weren't severe enough."
"Stephanie."
"I think everybody has sidestepped the issue, and that issue is—should we give these soulless creatures the same rights and privileges as humans?" Charlotte opened her mouth to speak, but Stephanie waved her hand dismissively, "Please let me finish. Sex is not a commodity to be traded and manipulated by anyone that has the power to do so. Women should not be thought of as merely sexual objects. The current laws are inadequate. Thank you," she added, turning to Charlotte as though giving her permission to speak.
Charlotte, with a slightly peeved expression, turned to Patrick, "Patrick?"
Patrick, unfazed, drew himself up. "There clearly needs to be reform that reflects the current norms of society. By that, I mean laws that allow both humans and androids to be treated as equals and with respect." He leant forward and addressed his conclusion directly at Stephanie, "And I mean everyone, not just women."
"Oh, well said," Kiera said.
Luke squeezed her hand.
"I hope this discussion has provided food for thought for all our viewers tonight. Thanks to Peter, Jerome, Stuart, Stephanie, Patrick and Sophia. Good night everyone, and until next time stay happy and stay safe."
Kiera grabbed the remote and punched the off switch. She turned to Luke and grinned. "Well, that was interesting. I'm glad we decided to watch it."
Luke sighed. "I really felt sorry for Jerome. Clever strategy by Peter to bring home to the general public just what androids are capable of, as far as feeling pain and emotions."
"Yes," agreed Kiera. "It must've been a dreadful experience for him. Let's hope it changes the public's perceptions of androids."
Luke stood up. "Well, it's finally over, Kiera. Now we can get on with the rest of our lives. I bought some champagne on the way home yesterday. I thought we might have a celebratory glass before we go to the restaurant, and we can take the rest with us."
Kiera, ignoring him, frowned and asked, "What do you think will happen to the company?"
Upload Page 13