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?

[thefaulty]

Affirmative.

[More specifically, she was designed for protection, but that naturally includes combat. Certainly, she doesn’t have a pilot to protect any longer.]

Your apology is unnecessary. Your lack of knowledge is an expected consequence of your… unique circumstances.

[In other words, he has an excuse to be ignorant.]

[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

[thefaulty]

The existence of outliers does not invalidate the usefulness of more generally applicable categories.

[And this being sounds like quite the outlier. Arid isn’t sure what to make of his description.]

Was your mind programmed solely by another person? If not, you are not an AI. If so, you may be an android.

[thingpuncher]

dont put words in my genetically enhanced mouth
ur methods fine just limited

im not an android
by ur definition those have mechanical parts

[thefaulty]

By my definition, androids are AI whose physical forms are meant to resemble a human’s. I did not specify the materials used to create their forms.

[Flesh and blood are a rather distasteful alternative to artificial components in Arid’s opinion, but she never said they would disqualify an AI as an android.]

Are you familiar with Haruto? He is another AI whose physical form is a repurposed human body. Perhaps the means of your construction are similar.

[thingpuncher]

harutos shit is harutos business

im not made of human meat
gestated in a human womb and all that shit
ive even got 73% human brain
but theres ai in there too
no easy classification
but not 100% human

[thefaulty]

[Arid does not know how one’s brain can be “73%” human and, presumably, 27% AI. It is likely that they do not have beings like him at all in her own universe of origin.

However, in the event of such ambiguity, perhaps it is acceptable to resort to a more simplistic method of classification.]

In your universe of origin, how did others perceive you due to your AI components?

[Or, put even more simply.]

Were you treated as a person or a tool?

[thingpuncher]

depends on the job

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; un: alucard

[reposing]

Would you define yourself as alive?

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.]

[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 )

text;

[thefaulty]

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

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.

[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.

[possidetur]

Your thoughts.

( and forgive her if she sounds rude or crude but vanessa isn't certain how to approach this. she means the question to learn rather than doubt or demean )

You were a created-- being. ( technically everyone was but this was an entirely different creation ) Are there limitations in what you can do? In your-- capabilities?

I query less about yourself and more in an effort to explore a theory.

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.”

[thefaulty]

[The question gets a long pause as Arid tries to decipher what sounds to her like a question so broad as to be meaningless.]

I do not possess infinite strength and knowledge, [she answers finally.] Is there a specific capacity you wish to inquire about?

[reposing]

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

[thefaulty]

[His set of criteria, Arid supposes, is as arbitrary as any other. Still, it is serviceable as a means of evaluation. She considers each gauge in turn. Emotion is straightforward enough—it is that capacity that Josephs had exploited. Empathy is less so; she feels enough of it to regret her actions against the hosts, but it had not been enough to stop her at the time. Nor does she feel empathy for everyone. As for whether she is more than her original purpose?

A truthful assessment would be that she is still trying to find out.]

I am… sometimes alive, [she answers finally.] According to your criteria.