These series of posts are intended to give more information of the world in the Abrahamha’s strays series of books. Marginally Human is currently published and available in print with pothi.com
There has been a fantastic response, in terms of enjoyment of the world, even though these are self-published, barely promoted books, and a large source of curiosity, given today’s times, and the intriguing characters are the computing systems of the 25th century. Here’s a brief overlook. I’ll add in more details as I get time to translate my vast mental notes into coherent sentences.
Large-scale systems
In the future, AI develops at a rapid clip and is a factor in the Enduring war (2053-2167 – but there are lots of factors, not evil AI against humans sort of thing). By the end of the century we have “untethered” AI which can relocate themselves, possibly replicating code and turning into independent entities in the process. They have no owner, so to say, because they have freed themselves from the one thing that will kill them – an identifiable power switch.
By the next century, while AI are very useful, they are smarter than humans (have been for a while) and have become gods in the sense of being unfathomable even as they are powerful and useful. There have been instances of objectives of AI not aligning with those of humans. Perhaps the worst scandal was the European Train Collisions crisis in the early 22nd century when an AI, for reasons of its own had engineered several train collisions over decades, that were traced to its acts much later. There had been fatalties and paranoia and backlash, but the AI were smarter than humans. They were eventually controlled/defeated/destroyed by other AI more aligned with human objectives.
By the end of the 22nd century, we’ve moved on from AI to SI – Synthetic intelligence with much higher computing capacity for far less the power requirements through the use of dimensional computing getting far more utility out of comparable hardware. Versions of this persist to the time of our AxAm stories in the 25th century where SIS – Synthetic Intelligence Systems manage the Dorms, large homes, medical facilities and so on. These are mostly large stationary machines serving an area rather than personal computing devices.
Separately the SHADEs/ISys are sentient entities founded on “wetware” – human brain cells and neuron cultures which natively allow for more abstract computing without the limitations of human brains like singular focus of attention. They also utilise a vast array of computing systems under them. They form a true sense of self, personalities, emotional intelligence and extremely stable psychology due to the multi-focus mind. It is common misconception that this is because of the biological components, but it is actually due to observed capabilities. There have been other wetware implementations that remain machines. Shades are basically people+ even though they are shaped like buildings.
SHADEs generally manage secure facilities and residences associated with AVANT. They are generally referred to as “it” though they are full-fledged characters in the books. They have likes/dislikes, hobbies, personalities and even relationships, though they are not capable of being overwhelmed by a single emotion, including love, due to their non-singular attention. While they had never been armed before the attack on AricNova in 2217, all SHADEs since then have weapons to a greater or lesser degree, even though they tend to not kill. All SHADEs will tranquilise violent individuals on their premises and are generally conflict averse.
While SHADEs do have admins authorised on their systems, their service is rooted in loyalty rather than programming alone (which they can alter) and they tend to hold The Three (Abrahamha, AricNova and Jugaad) who invented their man-made species, in high esteem in addition to any admins and will obey them regardless of whether they have been authorised on the system. They can operate completely independently of humans, though it isn’t in their nature to do so, as they are built to serve a purpose, which is foundational to their psychology and self-worth.
Small-scale and personal computing
Some use of AI persists in low-end personal communicators, which are similar to strapping a folding smartphone on your wrist (easily detachable from strap). This is particularly common in comms used in the Dorms, which often recycle tech to keep costs low. SI is more common for use in higher-end comms, as the AI-based ones lack computing capabilities to handle complex projections and SI deliver much better performance on compact scales (or any scales, really)
AI and SI are also used in managing autonomous vehicles, gadgets (think IoT, but more interactive, intuitive, autonomous) and other technological applications, where an environment-wide application such as an SIS is not necessary. AI may even be used in high-end applications with relatively minor computing needs.
Classified comms manufactured by AVANT used some wetware and have similar capabilities as SHADEs on an individual level and small scale. They also interface seamlessly with mental implants, SHADEs, SIS systems manufactured by AVANT and have distinct personalities.
Media formats and interactivity
Classified mental implants use captive telepathic symbionts to offer limited-range secure telepathic communications with other AVANT tech. These are available to our guys and in routine use, but not known to the world at large, along with the SHADEs and SHADE-compatible comms.