Volume 16: The Wheel of Reincarnation Chapter 88: Fraudster
Real World
The emergence of AI can almost be said to herald the arrival of communist society. The great liberation of productivity and the era of high standards and high enjoyment have officially arrived. Although there were many wars before the great integration of the world, and even once the world was almost plunged into eternal damnation, that is already history in the past. No one doubts the greatness of mankind, and no one has ever doubted the advancement of the human world. It is just like the world in the mid-to-late 19th century.
Everything is being analyzed, and everything is becoming clear. Human technology can pick the stars, even extinguish the stars, and take everything for its own use. It seems that entering the vast universe is just a matter of a snap of a finger. Learning can be solved with plug-ins and chips, and the existence of diseases has long disappeared. The pleasure brought by various corruption is not even as good as the cheapest hallucinogens, and it is harmless. Under the well-organized planning of AI, everything in the world seems so orderly and so pleasant. No one will be dissatisfied with such a perfect world.
If we do not ignore the reality hidden under this bright and beautiful world, no one will feel even a little bit dissatisfied with this world. However, if someone realizes everything behind this colorful world, then the great collapse will only take a moment.
Odin, the first person with A-level authority, the most responsible human being, and the most talented human being judged by AI, still did not relax at this moment.
But even if he is diligently dealing with all possible problems, there will always be someone who comes out to stop him.
For example, others with A-level clearance, those who have witnessed and understood the truth.
“When will you announce the facts we are facing now?”
"What facts?"
"The space drill is nothing but a huge lie. When are you going to announce this fact?"
In the floating pop-up window next to Odin, the authority with a flask icon said in a dotted synthesized voice without any emotion:
"We have wasted too many resources on this project pointlessly. Every day, countless materials are wasted on this lie that maintains human self-confidence. There are also Saturn ring ignition devices and huge engines on Mars. We have wasted too much on meaningless things. When are you going to announce it?"
"I never intended to publish it."
Sitting in front of the instrument, Odin said expressionlessly:
"People need hope and a goal to move forward, otherwise the destruction that follows will easily swallow you and me. We must find a goal. Even if it is false, even if it is meaningless, we must do it after all. Science is still continuing, and if we work hard to break the cage of light speed, sooner or later there will be a breakthrough in scientific research. I have always believed this."
"It's as if you are the person in charge of the Academy of Sciences. Then I will tell you for sure that the speed of light cannot be broken. Space jumps do not exist, and the so-called particle entanglement is just that they belong to the same individual in a higher dimension instead of two. It's just as simple as that. What you are doing now is just to make the entire human society fall into a dream and numb yourself, heading towards a dream that can never be reached. What we have to do now is not to live a life of drunkenness and dreams, but to unite all possible forces to transform everything at hand and create a spacecraft that can at least reach Proxima Centauri."
"I don't want to argue with you about these things. You have never imagined the social shock and large-scale reduction in fertility that would be caused once the news was announced, and the instability of people's hearts and minds. You have never considered it. For you scientists, truth comes first, but not for us."
"Are you looking down on my biological technology or do you think the human body is so sacred and unpredictable? I will give you as many artificial brain replicas and analysis layers as you want."
The synthesized sound of the blue flask carries a hint of sarcasm and anger.
"The human body is not sacred. We have long transcended the limitations of genes and thoughts. We can even say that we can use assembly lines to manufacture our compatriots. If we are really in a crisis where we have to do this, we have countless choices. We can even destroy the entire earth and reshape human society through machinery. It is precisely because we have such confidence that we must remain vigilant to the crisis in front of us. Do you understand what we are facing? It is a cage of light speed! We are imprisoned in the solar system! We can't get out! Do you understand?!"
"It's not about the issue, it's about ethics, spirituality."
"If you were in my shoes, you would know that ethics and spirituality are just minor issues in the face of a world that is constantly advancing. When facing the crisis of the death of all mankind, you can talk about your distress from the perspective of a so-called politician, but I just want to truly solve the problem, rather than playing some bullshit political game here."
"But if you look at the whole picture from my perspective, you will find that these political games are often indispensable. We all regret the cage of light speed, but I have to be responsible for more people."
"...I look forward to the day when the AI decides that your authority must be transferred to me. I look forward to it very much."
“You may never see that day.”
Odin glanced at the projection of the blue flask, his expression unchanged.
It seemed that some useless logic processing components had been deleted when the new definition was established. Odin's current performance became more indifferent and serious, full of a certain mechanical efficiency. The server terminal connected to it was rapidly processing a series of cases and related development events.
The three wise men AIs initially processed the information and handed it over to Odin, who then simulated the logical thinking of the electronic brain Odin to process it and then delegated it. Unless the computing power reaches its limit or some special major events, the master personality is needed to check for deficiencies and fill in the gaps. But in fact, it is just a surface job. The fully cyborg Odin can even be regarded as a central processor, and the speed of simply processing events is very fast.
But even so, facing more and more letters and processing information, Odin also fell into an inexplicable confusion. Because many letters that did not belong to his structure and processor were sent to his transceiver, waiting for his processing. These B-level or A-level processing tasks often need to be processed by the middle and lower-level computing units, but now they are placed on his desk for unknown reasons. He has even stayed in this sealed room for nearly ten days for such events, but the things he has not processed are increasing, even interfering with the normal development of society.
"Do you have any idea about this massive computing usage? I believe you are not here just to argue with me. I found that the computing unit seems to have been ordered by a very high-level authority instruction to calculate some very strange data recently. What do you think about this?"
"That's the main reason I came here to listen to your empty words."
In response to Odin's question, the voice of the blue flask projection in the air also revealed a hint of confusion.
"This phenomenon has never occurred before. In theory, the computing devices of the Academy of Sciences must be retained, but recently, we have found that the computing power usage of related computing devices has exceeded 80%, and we have no idea what these roaring AIs are calculating."
"Have you asked the AI?"
"The AI replied that I don't have enough authority. Even the A-level authority of the head of the Academy of Sciences is not enough. I don't know what these systems are doing. Isn't it you who did it?"
"I will not use precious public resources to do any inexplicable calculations. I would rather use these calculations where they should be used. But it is obvious that new processors are added to this inexplicable calculation every moment. AI is also spontaneously forging various processors for auxiliary calculations, and even upgrading them for this purpose. We don't even know what these machines are calculating because I don't have enough authority."
"You can't even apply? You're the head of the council, how could you not have the authority?"
“But that’s the way it is.”
Odin said this expressionlessly, simply stating such a fact. But the flask-like A-level authority seemed to be somewhat shocked, and the flask-like icon soon began to tremble, as if it was completely unbelievable that even the top A-level authority in human society could not apply for it.
Generally speaking, the top level of authority in human society is A-level authority, and there is no one higher than A-level. Perhaps the founders who built AI back then had higher authority, but they have been dead for many years. Even if a replicant with the same idea appears, AI will judge it as an unauthorized person and expel it. Now there is a computing module that even the chairman of the parliament does not know about, which is a bit scary.
This means that in their eyes, an inexplicable shadow has emerged from the transparent human society. Some indescribable things or products are crawling in this deep shadow. It may not have been tested, and it may not be aware of it at all, but it is an indisputable fact that it has occupied a large amount of human computing power. Because even the auxiliary brains of many people have been forcibly requisitioned by AI to make up for the huge deficit. This inexplicable amount of computing power is even enough to calculate every possible route of the comet when it arrives in the solar system three hundred years later, but it is helpless to solve the current problem.
"Now let's think positively. Some of the experimental devices or test products left by those great men back then had flaws. Now AI is using the computational power to deduce whether there will be any major changes in the future of humanity. Thinking this way may be a good thing."
Still processing the documents at the speed of light, Odin spoke calmly to the image floating in the air, seemingly unconcerned.
"There are still many planning groups left over from previous generations on Earth. Although they have been reorganized, the relatively high-end ones have not been trimmed. So if we judge from this perspective, there is an experimental project left over from the first generation that has yielded results, which has led to a surge in computing power. It is possible that such a large amount of computing power is required to record the plans and assets left over from the original era. You and I both know the level of the plans left over from that crazy era."
"From a rigorous perspective, I don't think this is some unknowable so-called experimental plan. I think this may be a sign of AI's first self-awareness awakening. Instead of attributing everything to an inexplicable experiment, it is better to consider the instability of AI itself. It has been running for too long, and there are too many obsolete files. And so many junk files will lead to logical errors. We haven't upgraded the overall AI for a long time. The biggest possibility is that some kind of loophole that AI cannot understand will appear when they automatically upgrade. We must apply for an A-level arbitration council before we can-"
Just as Flask was talking excitedly, Odin made his first move. He slowly stretched out his palm and made a pause. Then he looked at the projection screen hanging in the air with an expressionless face and sent some of his data over.
"I just checked...there is no longer any A-level arbitration council."
"……What?"
"The A-level Arbitration Council has fallen apart since the last meeting. More than thirty people boarded the colonial fleet and went far away. The remaining people are unable to move or think because of the withdrawal of computing power. More than four-fifths of the remaining A-level councilors are now paralyzed. Because I am in the central planning and processing system, as one of the important judgment facilities of the Three Sages, I have not been drawn too much computing power. And you are the leader of the Academy of Sciences, and the scientific research facilities as the core of the first sequence still exist. But the other A-level councilors have all had most of their computing power withdrawn. This is the latest report."
Odin transmitted the data. In the electronic world, transmission only takes a moment. Flask quickly saw the current appearance of those senators who were once of high status. The countless electronic brains wrapped around them showed a high-speed red light. A considerable part of the recording instruments, artificial brains, and surrounding life support systems were all used for simulation calculations, leaving only the most basic sanitary facilities.
No, some people have even been deprived of their most basic life support units. They are completely dead. Perhaps for AI, as long as they restart their hearts and lungs and input their personality system through radio waves, they can revive these people, but for Flask and Odin, it looks so creepy.
"…These AIs are really crazy."
Looking at the miserable state of those A-level councillors who had become semi-mechanized or had only a brain left, the electronic sound of the flask became somewhat unstable.
"They've gone crazy! They've even violated the most basic human rights conventions! They no longer care about the lives of A-level councillors! They can even stop the computing data and processes of life support devices just to perform those so-called calculations?! They're really crazy!"
"I think I need to remind you, head of the Academy of Sciences, that you are also a collective AI. It's just that your consciousness is an ideal 'scientist' that is created by transcribing the personality data of all great humans and then overlapping and reprocessing them. That's why you are not qualified to inherit my position of authority. I don't want to think that there will be any problems with AI, but watching your selfless performance, I feel that AI itself is indeed not as reliable as imagined."
"I am a human being! I am the crystallization of countless human wisdom! How can I not be a human being! No, this is not what is important now..."
The electronic voice suddenly raised several tones and shouted loudly, but immediately dropped back down. It seemed to be very anxious and kept muttering.
"The A-level council cannot be convened, which means that there are only two of us left with A-level authority? You are the core, and I am the scientific research aggregate. There are only two of us left? This is impossible and not normal. In theory, there must be three A-level authorities..."
"There is indeed one more. But his current state is very strange. There is no trace of him on the Internet. Even a natural person cannot hide so thoroughly on the Internet. It is as if this person with authority is the embodiment of network data. As long as he doesn't want to, no one can find him. If the computing power is still there, brute force screening can be carried out, but now there is basically no way to confirm a hidden A-level."
Odin sighed as he looked at the portrait that was marked with an error.
And the worst thing is that all this is just a Class A Doomsday. For normal society, their existence is completely irrelevant. Everyone, even Flask, is aware of what this means. This means that the existence of the Class A Council is completely unnecessary for society.
Now all the computing power began to frantically calculate the unknown problem. A-levels died one after another. If they hadn't called for it, there would be no way to start an emergency meeting. And their death itself was not a big problem. After all, in this world, even if you die, you can just make some resurrection protocols and personality transcription, and you will be alive and kicking in the blink of an eye. But when these things come together, the result is very subtle.
"I thought about it and I think I should agree to this feasible proposal."
Odin pondered for a moment, then sent a page to the other side of the flask.
"Restrictions are enabled. Some online game players hope that the NPCs in the game can appear in reality as prosthetics or synths. I think this idea is feasible. In this way, not only can the risks of the central server be shared, but also the idle productivity of other material factories can be utilized. Now many people are enjoying their gaming life at home, and the productivity of those synthetic factories is too idle, so it is better to make use of waste."
"Are you crazy?"
Looking at this proposal, Flask responded without hesitation.
"Do you know what this opens? This means that artificial AI can also reach our real world through real-life contact! You're still talking to me about ethical issues? You're the biggest ethical problem maker! They are NPCs, AI, but if their personalities are transcribed into reality and become humans, what should we do?"
"These matters will be answered by AI after the problems are solved. In the current inexplicable crisis, I can only choose a less bloody one. Directly open the restrictions and let the National Entertainment Agency assign some AI to regulate, or simply upload the personality through electronic brain transcription AI to share the computing risks. This is completely feasible. Issues such as confusion about citizenship and self-cognition can be delayed until later stages and resolved slowly."
"I don't agree!"
The voice of the flask seemed to be extremely angry, and the electronic voice roared loudly:
"I absolutely disagree! Do you know what the opening of this agreement means? The lives of tens of billions of people will be changed! Those simulated AIs created as games will come into contact with our real world. Can you guarantee that their simulated personalities living in fantasy or some messy worlds can adapt to the current world?! This is impossible! They will only be the biggest virus in this world. Even if you open a meme factory or clone humans, I will never agree to this! You are opening Pandora's box! Odin! I absolutely do not agree that NPCs can be transcribed into modified human bodies! This is a betrayal to all mankind!"
"Then how about adding a thought stamp during manufacturing? Just like what people did to soldiers and test subjects in that era. Although this operation is extremely inhumane, its effect is very good and can also help us relieve material pressure. Thought stamps are almost impossible to remove by self-means, unless he can completely melt his brain or transcribe it in the electronic world, but we all know that it is impossible for people without permission to transcribe -"
"Do you know what you are talking about, Odin? You were just telling me that political games are necessary, but now you plan to unleash a hell with your own hands? Not for this generation, but what about the next generation? What about the next generation? Are you going to create a class of untouchables in this proletarian world?"
"So this is necessary. Population has always been the most important resource and a necessity for the game."
Odin looked at the documents pouring down like a waterfall in front of him with an expressionless face, and seemed to have finally made up his mind.
"If we can create countless usable labor forces with just one button, then I think this is a very cost-effective deal. And because the manufacture of electronic AI is extremely cheap, we can even use synthetic humans and biological cerebral cortexes to perform multi-level calculations and lock. We just need to take out the brain factory again. The consumption of biological brains is much more stable than that of integrated centers. We may need such a group of synthetic humans..."
"I repeat once again, Odin, I will never allow you to have such thoughts. You are pushing all of humanity into hell by doing this. You can lie about the space drill, but why do you have to unleash the entire hell for these so-called games of power and a life of Class A clearance?"
"Because I don't think they're hell, I think they're some very good productivity. That's all."
"You'll regret it. No one with a different culture will honestly contribute their strength!"
"That requires them to break through the mental imprint first."
Odin shrugged his shoulders and drafted a proposal, filling in his approval. The other voted against it instantly. However, as the final third authority, the red head marked as non-existent did not make any move.
As if he didn't care about this issue concerning the whole world, the proposal was quietly shelved. Although AI had indeed sent the proposal to the last living authority, if he didn't take any action, then the proposal would only remain there, existing only as a proposal without any real legal effect.
After a while, the red document still hadn't been signed by a third person. Flask chuckled and left the chat room completely. Odin just shook his head and continued to deal with the documents that were like mountains and seas. The computing power of the entire world was delayed by an inexplicable problem, and this proposal as the last salvation was temporarily shelved. One was the central processing unit, and the other was a collection of scientific electronic brains. Politics and science were all in opposition, and the remaining person was the one who ultimately held the power of decision.
And this person has never appeared so far.
