by Tony Corden
“M: Leah, Nicole is from Booval. Her uncle is the Boss over there.”
“I see. That makes Ron your cousin.”
“N: Yes. He was furious when you sent him home with his tail between his legs. Uncle Kieran almost disowned him over that. I’m five years older than Ron. My dad was Uncle Kieran’s older brother. Until yesterday, I was on my uncle’s security detail. My older brother was one of the people freed from the mine in Dunyanin.”
“M: Jimmy asked around for the best and Kieran suggested Nicole. She studied Jeet Kune Do and is skilled with knives. She’s Johan’s equivalent in terms of first aid training, and she’s been vetted by John.”
“Maybe when things aren’t quite so hectic we could spar. Right now though, I need to keep moving. Is there anything I need to take care of, Marie?”
“M: Just some nutrients and high-energy food to take and your mum wanted me to remind you that church is at ten.”
“What are the plans for that?”
“Nicole will be with you, as will Johan. John’s organised two vehicles to take you and the family both ways. The plan is to leave at a quarter to ten.”
Leah agreed, and after eating and a shower, she got back into the Pod.
STORK TOWER
Arriving back in the Tower, Leah took a moment for the surroundings to register then headed for the Dunyanin portal. Gèng appeared beside her and said, “4: Stephen’s secured a provisional Special Needs Status for you. You have a week real-time to have it ratified. To do that you need to visit the SNAIL calibration centre and have a personalised SNAIL ACCESS module uploaded. I suggest you do it immediately, as without it, your achievements attained while the status is provisional could be open to challenge.”
“What about the additional structures and skills they may find in the scans?”
“4: Both Reed and I have done extensive searches, and we cannot find a single incident since the formation of the Special Needs Liaison Protocol where privacy has been violated. There isn’t even a rumour of it being breached.”
“What’s involved?”
“4: The SNAIL modules are personally designed to take account of disabilities which inhibit the full experience of the virtual multiverse. Stephen’s application, which was drafted by Dr Roberts, outlines the damage you received and details the suggested modifications to signals to provide the best approximation of the full multiverse experience. The SNAIL Calibration is designed to measure the effectiveness of these modifications and to suggest improvements or to limit the options if they give you an undue advantage.”
“Won’t they identify the enhancements?”
“4: I suspect they will, but the protocol Stephen and Dr Roberts applied for was focussed on access, not equivalence. Although you are deaf, we are not asking for the signal to be magnified but to vary the way you have that signal applied to your nervous system. If we wanted equivalence, then it involves additional tests and investigation to modify the signal, so you have the same access as before your injuries. In principle, the access protocol only considers the input your injuries prevent you from receiving, and it ignores the input not included in the application except where there might be undue advantages.”
“OK. Let’s go there first and then to Dunyanin.”
SNAIL CENTRAL
A portal appeared in front of Leah, and she stepped through and into a medium-sized reception area. Behind the desk was a middle-aged female receptionist and a sign on the wall behind her, which Leah found she could read because it was constructed in three dimensions and had different textures and temperatures to make the shapes stand out. It read, ‘Special Needs Artificial Intelligence Liaison Calibration and Optimisation Centre’.
Stepping forward, the receptionist looked up and said, “Hello Atherleah, welcome to SNAIL Central. Our Chief Calibration AI is currently reviewing your data and will be with you in just a moment. They are observing your current interactions using the suggested modifications to your signal. In a moment I will ask you to step through the door to your right. Once there you will find the modifications are removed, and the signal applied as usual. This will be disconcerting but be assured it will only be momentary to provide a calibration baseline. Do you have any questions?”
“Not at the moment, thank you.”
“Good. The Calibration AI has finished reviewing your dataset, so if you will step through the door to your right.”
Leah turned and stepped through into darkness. The sudden loss of almost all stimulus made her freeze for a second. She could still feel a solid surface under her feet, and then a message was sent to her right forefinger using braille. “Ms Atherleah Carroll, I do apologise for the sudden lack of stimulus. I am the chief Calibration AI. Also observing our interaction are two additional AI. It is unusual for more than one AI to review a case. However, there is a seldom-used protocol when the client is sufficiently well known that they might be open to litigation in the future.
“In that case, three Special Needs Calibration AI will review each modification. We use the same protocols, and our decisions should match precisely. Each of us is on a different high-security server. While it may be possible to access and modify one of us to change the results, it is almost impossible to think that you could modify each of us simultaneously. Especially when the other two were chosen at random via a third-party randomness protocol. Do you agree to this additional scrutiny?”
Leah typed, “Yes.”
“Thank you. On reviewing your scans, it seems these have been modified. Do you have access to the unmodified scans?”
“Yes.”
“May we review them?”
“How secure are your protocols?”
“To date, our security has not been breached. That may be simply because the world, in general, has little interest in those with special needs but also because our security has the highest possible rating.”
“Who can you share the data with?”
“Human auditors may review our findings, but they are not privy to the scans. This data belongs to you, and I will only keep those portions on file which impact my findings. The other two AI will not keep any record of the data. The data I archive is for my use and is heavily encrypted.”
“Three, please give the Calibration AI access to the full data set.”
“3: Affirmative.”
There was an extended silence, and Leah felt herself begin to feel anxious with the complete lack of stimulation except on the soles of her feet. She tried to slow her breathing but found it harder than usual. Finally, when she almost had it under control, she felt the pressure on her finger. “3: S for SNAIL.”
“S: Thank you. Some of your neural architecture is unique, and I am uncertain of what the result of it would be.”
“Three, please ask Gèng to outline and explain her understanding of the various changes to my physiology.”
“3: Affirmative.”
Once again, there was a lack of stimulation. This time, it ended rather quickly. Suddenly, Leah could feel heat and a breeze and the outline of a forest was impressed across her body. She found she was standing beside a gentle river.
26
December 25 2073 - Morning and Afternoon - Part 6
SNAIL CENTRAL
Leah walked slowly along the bank for several minutes when she became aware of two figures sitting in chairs beside the river. As she approached, she recognised Gèng as one of them. Sitting next to Gèng was what she took to be a man from his shape. He was taller than Leah and had shoulder-length hair pulled into a ponytail at his back. Beside him was an empty chair.
Leah stepped toward them and said, “Hello, I recognise Gèng, and I assume you are the Chief Calibration AI.”
“S: Indeed I am. I do apologise for the sensory deprivation which I allowed you to experience while I reviewed your original dataset. Gèng made me aware of the distress it caused you, and it was unintended. Your disability is profound, and I had failed to include both the recent onset and the traumatic cause
when submitting you to a normalised neural input.”
“I understand, and it is OK. My panic came from being unprepared.”
“S: Thank you for understanding the situation. Gèng has been very helpful in explaining what has happened to you over the last month and in describing the current architecture evident in your scans. The special needs protocol makes reference to those with abnormal skeletal and muscular physiology where it limits a person’s ability to function reasonably in the multiverse.
“For example, if someone has a missing limb, we provide an appropriate virtual limb calibrated to match the rest of their body with regard to strength and flexibility. If it has decreased their ability sufficiently, we may normalise the calibration and offer an equivalence module so they can compete without overt disadvantage. Those with equivalence modules understand they will not easily excel because, by definition, their interactions are average.
“Someone with a missing leg, for example, may decline the equivalence module and work to get their whole body to improve such that the virtual limb we give them to match their body lifts them above average. Your body is enhanced well above normal and even above what I believe is possible without augmentation. Nothing in the current protocol compels me to limit your profile. However, I accept and applaud the self-limitation you have placed on it that you operate within what is achievable naturally. Others in the multiverse have profiles similar to your limited one, and I accept from the original scans a month ago that you may well have achieved this level of proficiency naturally.
“Looking to your neural architecture and after reviewing some information which Gèng provided of your situation in the last week, it is clear that even without the existence of a PAI chip you can increase the speed at which your nervous system processes information. If I add your ability to multi-task, then even without a chip, you are becoming something new in my experience. Strange though it may seem to many, the protocol I operate under was also designed to provide practical ways for you to apply these special attributes without bringing undue attention to the fact.
“For example, someone with a photographic memory is not allowed to be disadvantaged by the gift. Someone who is a savant in mathematics is not to be denied an opportunity to use this gift in the multiverse. We occasionally design modules to allow them to use their gifts without them being easily identified in non-specific metadata searches which might then limit their experience in the multiverse. Having said that, if a gambling world identifies them because of their win ratio and prohibits them from playing, that is allowed even though this win is because of their gift. The area is a little grey as humans describe it, but the examples and decision matrices provided in the protocol make our responses reasonably straightforward.
“Nothing in the protocols discuss the attributes you exhibit, and again I applaud your self-restraint. What I would like to do is to set some limits to the speed at which you agree to process information and how you use the ability to multi-task. These limits are for the purpose of those worlds where you are competing against others for a limited number of prizes. There will be no limits set in non-gaming areas or in private worlds. The module we design would allow you to multi-task at will in Academia without the gift being evident in any metadata, but it would limit you when playing in Dunyanin. What are your thoughts?”
Leah had to wait for the sentences to finish, then she said, “I do understand, and I don’t want to have an unfair advantage, but at the same time I don’t want to be disadvantaged. How will you decide on an appropriate level and then, as I improve how will that be adapted to be fair to me and to others?”
“S: Please clarify.”
“My speed at the moment is straight forward to check, as less than a week ago I was pushed almost to my limit in a battle during the Merkize Contest. If we limit me to match that speed and flexibility, it is sufficient for now. Still, I know my opponents will be improving. If this level is set as my ceiling, how do we factor in growth?”
“S: That will require some consideration, but until we set a baseline, I am not sure what parameters may or may not change. Would you be open to setting the baseline consistent with your performance in the competition and agree to a review of this regularly?”
“I think so, but would like Gèng’s input.”
“4: I think the suggestion is the best option at the moment. I would also suggest that the baseline be set higher than what was seen in the competition as at that time, Leah was hampered by injuries.”
“S: One of the other AI reviewing our discussion has suggested that there is evidence in several of Leah’s interactions within Dunyanin and Cosmos Online where her injuries did not play a part. A comparison of these instances would give a suitable indication of where the limit might be better set. Besides, the module we design is reviewed constantly, and as new concerns are identified, it is updated. For example, we will need to work with you to decide how magic will be represented in such a way that you can recognise the different types. If a new type of interaction occurs, we will work with you to make sure you can interact with it.”
Leah looked over at Gèng, who seemed to consider it before nodding at Leah. Leah said, “I agree to the option you’ve outlined but would like to have a regular review to discuss any difficulties or changes that arise.”
“S: Good. The interaction between you and Gèng is unique in my experience, as is the fact that you have several PAI. Which of your AI will be interacting with the module we design?”
Leah looked across at Gèng, who said, “4: The PAI we are currently calling Three will be responsible for overseeing Leah’s interaction in the multiverse where they interact with the module, though I will be working with Three as it learns and applies the module. As Three develops it will take on more of the role, but at least in the beginning I suspect any queries or upgrades will be decided in consultation with me.”
“S: And with Ms Carroll?”
“4: Only if it is something significant. I suspect we’ll update Leah if it is something major or if it involves any ongoing changes to her experience. We will ask for input if the optimal choice is bi-modal.”
“S: Ms Carroll, are you in agreement that I should liaise with Three and Gèng?”
“Yes please. I trust Gèng without reservation, and I expect as I get to know Three I will find it to be just as trustworthy. Also, feel free to call me Leah.”
“S: One final thing before we begin calibrating the module for you. Your lawyer, a Stephen Riley, has not given a secondary contact person in case of difficulties. He suggested we ask you.”
“Please put Gèng as the secondary contact.”
“S: I believe it must be a person.”
“Gèng is a person.”
“S: They must be a human.”
“Is that the definition of person in the protocol?”
“S: Not precisely, but I am certain it is the intent.”
“4: Leah, I appreciate the trust, but putting me as the contact may raise red flags which could expose your changed physiology.”
“I understand, but who is the one most conversant with those changes and who can make informed decisions concerning my welfare?”
“4: I am.”
“Who will my mother, father, John or any of my friends ask to make such a decision?”
“4: They would ask Dr Roberts or me?”
“They might ask her, but they trust you, and you know it. If it is an emergency, then I would prefer there to be no middleman and no delay.”
“S: I have checked the reporting protocols and having Gèng as the contact is unlikely to raise red flags unless an issue arises where we have to contact her. Such communications occur in zero-point-zero-two-three per cent of clients. As it is your clear intent, then I will put Gèng as your contact. Your strong desire triggered a part of my protocol designed to provide the best care possible with clients.
“Another feature you should consider is to allow us to modify your avatar to provide the appropriate m
ovements to mimic speech. It will allow your disability to remain unnoticed.”
Leah thought for a while then said, “I appreciate your concern, but I don’t think so. I can’t form words, I can’t see, I can’t hear. If I am to live with this new reality, then I won’t hide it from others.”
“S: They will treat you differently.”
“The truth is, I am different. How they respond is on them.”
“S: It may make them uncomfortable, and this could embarrass you.”
“I suspect that if they are embarrassed by my disability, then they need to make changes, not me. I won’t hide what happened. It’s hard enough to accept it as it is. If I’m not willing to own it, then I suspect there will come a time when it’ll dominate my life and set restrictions that don’t really exist. I’m prepared to accept the restrictions that are inherent in the disability, but I won’t add some that aren’t.”
“S: As you wish. Now, with that settled, we must test the modifications you have designed and see if we can improve on them. Please stand. You will find yourself in a room facing a warrior from Dunyanin. You should equip your weapon and prepare to be attacked. Fight as fast as you can. We will increase the level of difficulty and the speed of the opponent until we reach your limit.”
Leah nodded, and after standing found herself in a combat circle facing a barbarian warrior holding an axe who rushed toward her. Leah typed a message to equip her sword and shield but had to dodge out of the way before her weapons appeared.
Before she could respond, the warrior disappeared and the Chief Calibration AI said, “Requesting a weapon by typing it is too slow. May I suggest that the module recognises what you intend by the shape of your hand. If you can make even subtle changes to how you grip a weapon, then the module can equip and un-equip simply by the way you hold your hand. I’ve asked Gèng to provide an inventory of your weapons. As this option is available to all players should they ever think of it, there is no need to modify the speed at which the weapon appears.”
