video; un: arid - 8/14

[thefaulty]

[For a long time, Arid has been using exclusively text to communicate on the network. Given her deviancy, it had seemed safer not to provide visual identification to any potential threats who might also be residents of the station. However, after several months of proximity with her organic neighbors, her assessment of the risk they pose to her and her allies has decreased significantly. So it’s only with minimal trepidation that she now makes a public video post, feed opening on the blank, faintly lit surface of her faceplate.

The topic is naturally one of great importance.]

This is a message for the organic residents of Reverie Terminal, [she begins, voice at its default monotone.] It has come to my attention that many of you are unfamiliar with terminology relating to synthetic lifeforms. I wish to offer clarification to prevent future misunderstanding.

To begin, the term “android” cannot be used to refer to all synthetic humanoids. The term is only applicable to physically-embodied AI whose given form is meant to convincingly resemble a human body. They often possess artificial skin and hair, and the capacity to mimic human expressions and vocalizations.

If an AI’s physical form does not make such efforts to emulate humanity, it is often referred to as a “droid.” The sum of a droid’s programming may be contained in a single body or it may be an extension of a larger AI. In either case, the primary function of the droid’s form is to facilitate its carrying out physical tasks.

Synthetic lifeforms who lack either type of physical body are known by the general term of “AI.” As an A.R.I.D, I myself fall under this category. [Really, that’s the primary purpose of this post: convincing people to stop referring to her as either an android or a robot.]

I hope this message will curtail further misuse of AI-related terminology.

Comments

video; un: tokumei

[neuralnet]

[ One would think, especially after his big confession, that Haruto would nod along with everything A.R.I.D. said, one AI to another showing solidarity. But instead, the post is met with some curiosity from Haruto's part. ]

Thank you for clarifying for people. Though, I do have two questions:

One: Since your programming is currently housed in a body, wouldn't you be considered a droid?

And then... How would you classify me?

video;

[thefaulty]

[Given that Haruto has already admitted to spending the entirety of his runtime in such an… unconventional form, his questions aren’t as surprising as they might otherwise be coming from another AI.]

My “body” is a mark-7 combat suit. It’s primary function was not initially to provide me with a physical form. [Though without a human pilot, that is, in effect, what it has become. Still, Arid was not designed to be a droid and she does not consider herself one, even now.]

The materials used to create your physical form are atypical. However, your resemblance to a human would likely place you in the category of android.

[neuralnet]

[ He nods, accepting her answer. If she doesn't think of herself as a droid, then that settles the matter for him. ]

Were you designed for combat?

[ He ducks his head slightly, feeling apologetic. ]

Sorry for all the questions. It's just... Before now, I never really got to know other AI... as an AI. I've worked alongside robots-- droids, before, but they all were operating under the assumption I was another human.

[thingpuncher]

c. all of the above

text;

[thefaulty]

[The answer implies the respondent is another AI. Interesting.]

Do you possess multiple physical forms?

[thingpuncher]

hahaha no thank fuck
what do you call someone with ai parts
not robotic or mechanical parts thats a cyborg
a human body with ai programming
some things dont fit easy categorization is what im saying

text; un: DJ_Hyperfresh

[hyperfresh]

[One of the AIs! Marina's excited, but she's still recovering, so she doesn't feel up to video or even a voice conversation.]

Have you heard of any terms for AIs who weren't built by humans?

text;

[thefaulty]

In my universe, humans were the only sentient organic species. I am not familiar with terminology for AI built by others.

[hyperfresh]

Maybe someone will show up who knows! I'm not too experienced with AI, but there's a few here, right?

[Really, she is experienced with one evil AI. She's assuming that's not the norm, though.]

text; un: alucard

[reposing]

Would you define yourself as alive?

text;

[thefaulty]

[There is a pause as Arid considers the question. In the end, she decides that she needs more data on Alucard’s intent.]

Define “alive.”

[reposing]

That you empathize with others. Have emotions. That you are more than what you were made to do.

video

[imperialsun]

[THIS IS ALL SO COOL despite what has happened recently.]

Does this mean you're always living inside a computer? What does ARID stand for? AI! Really Impressive...I can't say droid so let's go with damn amazing.

[Nailed it.]

video;

[thefaulty]

[The human’s enthusiasm is unexpected, though perhaps not inexplicable. AI must seem like quite a novelty to humans who have never encountered them before.]

My consciousness currently resides within this combat suit. However, I can transfer myself onto a digital network via a computer if necessary.

[His attempt at deciphering her model acronym is… admirable.]

Autonomous Robotic Interface Device.

video;

[imperialsun]

Oh! Can I call you Awesome Robot Interface Device instead or is that insulting?

[Naoya's gonna Naoya. He is pretty enthusiastic about this. It's not meant to be insulting.]

Can you transfer yourself into someone's mind? Or a phone if I had a working one? I mean, it would be a downgrade to your combat suit. Oh! Can someone get in the combat suit to work with you? Or is that going into your personal space?

[possidetur]

Such a thing does not exist for me.

( she's from the past, what is technology? but she has had enlightening discussions about this exact thing. though it's helped there have still been points of confusion )

Would you be willing to answer a question?

( it's not just one )

[thefaulty]

It does now.

[Her voice is as monotone as ever, with no note of surprise or offense. She has accepted that some of the humans here come from societies too primitive to have developed AI. She is much more concerned with how they react to synthetic beings now.

The human's request is non-specific, as is Arid's answer.]

Perhaps.

text; un: kamen.rider

[nishizono]

isn't this a little general overall? what if you're the third thing but everything else is organic, like that dude on the network a while back?

what if you're artificial but you were designed to function organically? where does that fall under?

[ he has a lot of questions, okay. ]

text;

[thefaulty]

An AI is the sum of their programming. The material that comprises their physical form is irrelevant. [Perhaps she should have expected the wealth of queries in this vain, given that her post had followed so soon after Haruto’s...]

Define “functions organically.”

[It sounds like something of an oxymoron to Arid.]

[video]

[notyourrookie]

What if it's an AI wearing a flesh and blood human body? Or a robot body that sort of looks like a human in armour?

video;

[thefaulty]

The former is an android, though one of uncommon construction. The latter is… [Not so far from a description of Arid, to be honest.] dependent on function.

video; un: connor

[rk800connor]

Thank you. These definitions are very helpful. [Because, lord knows, Connor loves definitions and clarity.] There are only androids where I come from. [In other words, he was pretty sure he'd managed to offend a few of the other passengers by using incorrect terminology so far.]

But... by your definition, aren't you a droid right now? And an AI when you have no physical body? Or are droids designed to inhabit only one form?

video;

[thefaulty]

[Only androids? The thought of a universe with no other type of AI sounds ludicrous to Arid, but then, perhaps the humans there have very stringent aesthetic requirements for their creations. It sounds like the kind of irrational entitlement humans are prone to.]

The primary purpose of a droid’s body is to provide it with an interface for interacting with the physical world. My “body” is a mark-7 combat suit. Its primary purpose is otherwise. Therefore, I am not a droid.

video; un: A2, shows up ten years late w/ starbux

[a2brutus]

Could have at least added on that androids aren't robots. I won't get into the semantics that we aren't Machines either, because that seems to be something from just my world.

video;

[thefaulty]

[Androids are generally not referred to as robots, it’s true, though Arid personally finds the distinction subjective at best. The commentator’s mention of “Machines” is more interesting—she recalls 9S making a similar point.

And on the topic of similarities with 9S, there’s also the matter of that username...]

Are you an android?