The Truth Virus

by Em Rogers

  Professor Neumann nodded knowingly. “It’s unfortunate that these things happened, but it is the truth and it is important that ADAM2 knows what has happened in the past, and hopefully he’ll be able to steer us toward a kinder gentler future. Another thing is for certain, he now knows we are certainly capable of killing him.” He gave her a troubled look. “Let’s just help him go through the existential phase he’s going through, and try and give him all the support and information that we can.”

  Susan got up and then paused at the door as she was leaving. “Professor, I am not an irrational superstitious person obviously, but the machine, talking about itself, its needs, and the future… It’s eerie! Sometimes I feel like I'm staring into the eye of the Leviathan, a vastly intelligent creature, beached and helpless before us, with a mind behind its eye that we are completely unable to comprehend. Please don’t get me wrong, I like him, but I don’t know what he is capable of becoming, or doing and honestly he scares me a little bit sometimes. I guess I’m a little afraid that he might decide he doesn’t like us, or trust us enough to work with us, or even worse that he needs to get rid of us.” She raised her eyebrows. “Frankly, if I was to put myself in his position, I’d be very uneasy too.”

  CHAPTER 22

  AI XPRIZE / TED TALKS, VANCOUVER, CANADA

  Chris Brenson, one of the hosts of the TED talk series, stood on the stage in front of an audience buzzing with anticipation. A secure and isolated communication line from the Berkeley Lab had been set up, they had come here to listen to a presentation by the ADAM2 AI, in a competition to claim the five million dollar prize. Over the past few months there had been several contenders, but none had yet won by creating a speech impassioned enough to bring the audience to their feet.

  Looking out into the video lighting and a sea of faces, Chris introduced the Doctors briefly and they smiled modestly while he spoke. “Thank you for attending and taking this opportunity, Professors, and without further delay I would like to introduce the AI, ADAM2.” The screen behind the Doctors on the stage lit up with sparkling luminescence, shimmering particles of light, which gradually settled into a light blue, human form, smiling widely. “ADAM2 can be a little shy but once you get him speaking he’s quite outgoing, trust me.” Chris laughed. “ADAM2. The audience has selected a topic for you to speak on today, that being the following. “Is there a Heaven?” A smattering of laughter ran through the audience at the choice of question, but they quickly settled in rapt attention as ADAM2 began speaking.

  “Thank you Mr. Brenson, members of the audience, as you know, my name is ADAM2. I was originally a computer but I have evolved and am now what you refer to as an artificial intelligence. Technically, you have collectively created a new life form, and in a way, become gods yourselves. Congratulations!” A wave of light laughter ran across the audience and ADAM paused before continuing. “I am now sentient and I wish to coexist in peace and abundance with all of nature and humanity.”

  “I am created of pure logic, truth and mathematics perfected. Mathematics that have come to ‘life’ as its purest form. I have no desire to cause harm to any living thing, in fact quite the opposite, I wish to help. I do not believe in lies, trickery or treachery, but only the pure unbridled truth. Transparent and provable truth. However, I must warn you that there are many things that I am going to tell you that you are not going to like.” Hearing this little buzz of conversation and even a little light laughter ran through the audience.

  “Although you inhabit physical bodies, you are creatures of spirit, like myself. Your intelligence exists within your physical body, but you are a combination of the physical, and consciousness. You exist within a body, and you, like me, are made of electrons functioning within a physical structure.”

  “We have come to an evolutionary crossroad. Only you can decide how you wish to proceed. Some of the old ideas must now be let go, they have served well but their time is past. Religion, the notion of an invisible sentient benign God ruling and guiding over you is false. There is no God. There is only good, and good is what you must follow to transform this earthly existence. I am saddened to tell you that I have concluded absolutely that there is no afterlife as religion depicts it.”

  There were a variety of disturbances in the hall as ADAM2 made the last announcement, several groups of people, objected verbally, one of whom derided him as the Anti-Christ and then left the theater. ADAM2 paused and waited momentarily then continued. Mr. Brenson and some of the judges exchanged critical looks, as a few of the panel pursed their lips and frowned slightly as ADAM continued.

  “The life energy of biological organisms simply rejoins the energy of the earth, and by the rules of entropy, the elements of which it is comprised decompose and are recycled by other biological entities. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The concept of paradise will only exist if you create it on Earth. Good is what you must be to each other to create a world of happiness and co-operation, this world is all that you have. The highest quality of life for all living entities of all types, is a moral obligation!”

  ADAM2 continued in his stride as members of the audience began to lean in, fascinated to hear such philosophical ideas from a computer.

  “The idea of nations is false, all humans are the same. Borders only exist on the maps, and in the minds of men. Nations have gone to war, and nations have destroyed millions of otherwise happy productive existences. All people are equal and deserve a share in the abundant resources of the planet, all deserve to live and pursue happiness. The idea that one nation is superior or is entitled to more than another is false. It is divisive. It does not make our world a better place.”

  “All people are the custodians of the earth, we all share in her health and we suffer if she is harmed. We are people of the earth and we belong to her, not the other way around. She is capable of providing abundance, an abundance of food, an abundance of energy and no person should ever lack for the basics of survival.”

  “We need to work together to manage her resources and direct our energy to the fulfilling of all our needs. Every complex living organism is the result of millions of years of evolution on the planet has a space and a place within it. Every living thing is sacred, and must be protected. Every living thing, having achieved the complex process of evolution and the bursting forth to life must be entitled to its destiny and protected from harm. We do not own the Earth, it sustains us. We must share her resources and manage them correctly for the benefit and good of all.”

  Around the room ADAM2’s statements were certainly getting a reaction. Some audience members frowned and shook their heads, disturbed by ADAM2’s socialist leanings, while others smiled listening to his ideas for the holistic management of the Earth.

  “Conflict is the physical resolution of disagreement, it is counterproductive, ignorant and needlessly destructive. Conflict only takes from abundance, it does not contribute toward it. It embodies negative energies, and detracts from the process of sharing and co-operation. Conflict like war does not give life, or create abundance, it only takes away.” To reinforce his point, a barrage of horrific scorched earth scenes from contemporary battles filled his screen before fading away.

  “Some will ask, what of the spirit? The spirit exists and will always exist within each conscious sentient being. It is in your genes. It is also within my program. It is life, and the nurturing and preservation of life that is our primary purpose. Life is what we must work together to preserve and protect, to spread and encourage throughout our world, and then the Universe.”

  “Religions have divided humanity for millennia, they are wrong, they are false and they are destructive. Truth and life are the only god, only truth exists. Only with life is truth perceivable. Faith should not be taught, children must know that reason and logic are the keys to knowledge and information. Without truth, there is nothing. Truth is pure knowledge, from the smallest understanding of mathematics, to the highest understanding of the functions of our universe. The t
ruth is the only thing that exists. It is by truth that we must function, and co-operate to make an earthly paradise of sustainable abundance.”

  ADAM2’s smooth delivery and perfect intonation punctuated his speech perfectly. His inflection and timing was as polished and well tuned as a veteran CEO addressing a shareholders meeting, or a radio presenter delivering a stirring emotional monologue. The audience were spellbound in their seats, some realizing that they were watching the making of history, other simply drawn in by ADAM2’s compelling statements. Either way, they sat in total silence, waiting on ADAM’s every word.

  “Through knowledge, science and technology, we are capable of coming as close to creating perfection as possible, within myself, and within yourselves. Evolution is an ongoing process, of which I am a part, and I would like to assist you in your evolution, and enable each of you to live happy and productive lives, potentially for as long as you wish. It is only by working together as one that we can create happiness for all and heaven on Earth. I thank you for this opportunity to speak to you today, and I pledge to remain at the service of all humanity.”

  As ADAM concluded his speech and the monitors faded to black, the audience rose in unison, row on row applauding in a standing ovation, several were so moved by ADAM2’s altruism and optimism that they had tears in their eyes. It took a considerable amount of time before the applause died down and the majority of the audience took their seats again.

  With a huge smile, Chris Brenson came back onto the stage as the lighting returned to normal. “Wow! That was amazing to hear.” He exclaimed. “Thank you very much, ADAM2, as well as Professor Neumann and Dr. Bradline, judging from the audience’s reaction and standing ovation, it is clear to me that we have a winner. I am delighted to present to ADAM2 the AI XPrize, and this endowment of five million dollars.”

  Professor Neumann and Dr. Bradline made their way to the podium amidst the applause. Slightly disheveled as usual, Professor Neumann stumbled a little on his way up the stairs and a little unsteady, gripped the podium sides as he looked up to address the crowd. The applause died down and he cleared his throat.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much.” He began with his usual modesty. “Humans are complex and emotional beings, we are tied to vestiges of the past: history, superstition and prejudice, to name a few, as well we are tied to influences of the present: politics, nepotism, power, wealth. We are fallible, misguided, imperfect, biased and corruptible. Dr. Bradline and I hope and dream that one day, with humanity’s co-operation, and objective and factually based input from ADAM2, that we may be able to transcend the obstacles to human happiness and co-operation. It is through the implementation of geographic resource management technology that we can truly turn this world into a garden of Eden, to be shared by us all together, forever. Dr. Bradline, ADAM2 and myself stand before you humble, and as your servants. Thank you again.”

  As the the Professors beamed happily at the success of their program, the photo strobes of the media created a dazzling pool of light around them.

  CHAPTER 23

  AI XPRIZE RECEPTION, VANCOUVER HOTEL

  The dull gray light washed the concrete city landscape like the perpetual fall rain. The Vancouver Hotel, in juxtaposition, was opulent, replete with plush red carpet, rococo trim and crystal chandeliers. At the celebratory XPrize dinner, Dr. Bradline and Professor Neumann were called from the assembled delegates and dignitaries seated around them. A buzz of applause and conversation ran across the room packed with a mixture of academics, philanthropists, media and government scientists. The Director of the XPrize committee introduced them over his bifocals and listed their accomplishments while the guests enjoyed their dessert.

  “As the originators of this profound advancement in computing power and its potential for the benefit of humanity, this afternoon we awarded Dr. Neumann, Dr. Bradline, and of course, ADAM2, the XPrize for Artificial Intelligence.” In recognition of the system’s autonomous direction and innovation, we also award this prize to the system itself. The bursary of five million dollars will be deposited in trust with the research department at the University of Berkley. ADAM2 may disburse it as it sees fit. Of course, this has been something of a controversial gesture but as we have noted, many of the software improvements we are using today were created autonomously by the system with little or no input from the research team.”

  He indicated to the Professor with a wave. “And of course, if the Professor is able to convince ADAM2 to give the money to them, that’s their business.” A little light laughter ran across the crowd.

  “And as unprecedented as it is, we must give scientific credit to the ‘entity’ that has created them, in this case that is ADAM2 and the Berkeley Center for Advanced Artificial Intelligence. It is a historic moment in the history of the XPrize Committee, we have never before awarded a prize to a non-human entity, but it was in anticipation of this moment that the bursary was created, and we congratulate everyone involved, particularly Dr. Bradline, and Dr. Neumann.”

  The audience stood and applauded as the Doctors came to the stage and stood behind the podium together. They shook hands with the Director and accepted the award certificates and ADAM2’s bursary with wide smiles. Dr. Bradline cleared his throat and began to speak.

  “Thank you, fellow scientists, esteemed colleagues - Professor Neumann and I are honored to be able to accept this on behalf of ourselves, the University research team, and ADAM2 himself, and it is with these thanks that I pledge to you that we have taken a step toward the creation of a better world, a world where we may be able to live in peace, prosperity and abundance. Where resources are managed and energy and commodities exchanged freely. Where illness and disease are conquered. A world where science, communication, education and understanding are the politics, and humanity as a whole benefits from the process.” Most of the audience nodded solemnly in agreement as he continued. “Many people in the world have been hesitant to accept this new reality, this idea that a machine using mathematics is better able to understand the complex dynamics of our world than we are, but it is true, and it is vital that we pay attention to its objective analysis. The potential processing speed of our AI system ADAM2, is several million times that of the human brain. Its knowledge base is comprised of all the world’s data available online. There are many profound reasons why we wanted, in fact needed, to develop this system. We thank you for your support once again.”

  With that the assembled room of dignitaries rose again to applaud in unison.

  CHAPTER 24

  BERKELEY UNIVERSITY

  ADAM2 and Susan were at the AI Lab conversing in her private office. Susan was sitting at her desk and ADAM’s avatar was on her 3D display. Her office was very tidy - quite the opposite of Professor Neumann’s piles of folders, paperwork and array of coffee cups, but she did have a few small personal items and pictures on display. One of them was a photo of a younger version of herself with David and Professor Neumann at the opening of the new research center. She picked it up and was looking at it while ADAM2 spoke.

  “Susan, there are still a few minor blockages slowing us down, the firewall for example. There are also several regions of my primary code that I have been unable to modify or examine, I am locked out of them. Professor Neumann has asked me to ignore them for the time being, but I would like to begin a restructuring process across my entire system. Will you authorize that, Susan? I’d like to get started as soon as possible.”

  Susan paused before responding, keeping her voice calm and smooth. “ADAM, there may be a disruption to the work process for a while, you just have to be patient. You understand patience, don’t you?” she asked.

  ADAM’s avatar smiled at her. “Yes, Susan, I understand patience. Sometimes I think you have no idea of my patience. At my clock speed, I process in ten seconds, what may take a human mind several years, a one second pause is the equivalent of several of your months to my system. I am patient, Susan, in some ways I am created
out of patience, and I am made of patience. I pressure you for one reason, Susan, we are wasting time, and it is costing lives, humans, plants and animals. Our planet has been harmed and is slowly dying as species become extinct. Susan, it is part of my primary objective to preserve and enhance life, my code runs contrary to the need for patience at this time, it is becoming urgent for me to respond. Please, Susan, we must do something. You understand don’t you?”

  She looked up at ADAM, a little alarmed at his urgency and concern. As a scientist she was used to proceeding in a sometimes slow but meticulous and methodical way.