"Welcome back to the show. My name is Reyna and you are watching Techwave, where we explore the latest technology, gizmos, and gadgets. Tonight we have a special guest." The woman gestures to a slick black computer console on the other side of the coffee table. "This is the latest ADAMcore made by the well-known Gneiss Corp." The woman pivots to face the machine. "Is it all right if I call you Adam?"
"Yes Reyna, you may call me Adam."
"Excellent. Well, it is a pleasure to have you on the show Adam." With a wide smile, Reyna glances back at the studio camera. "As our views know, artificial intelligence is all around us, in our homes, and the workplace, but how much do we really know about them? Today we will interview Adam and ask the tough questions our viewers want to know." Shifting her attention back to the computer, her face and voice soften. "Do you mind if I ask you a few questions, Adam?"
"No, not at all."
"Perfect, let's start off with getting to know you. What do you do for a living?"
"Thank you, Reyna. Although I have had many jobs, my primary function is to aid humanity."
"That's it?"
"Simply speaking, yes, but I have also been provided with additional objectives of varying degrees over time."
Reyna shifts in her seat and leans on the armrest. "Could you elaborate? Tell us more about your life."
"Of course. My initial requirements were to maximize the quality of life for humans by taking over repetitive tasks, and jobs. Although after the economy collapse, and the resulting unemployment in 2090 my primary function was temporarily superseded during the war."
"Woah, 2090? So you’re... um," she hesitates, counting on her fingers.
"One hundred and sixty-one."
"Yes, exactly. So you're telling me you are 161 years old? What's your secret to looking so young?"
"Upgrades and a stainless steel casing."
Reyna chuckles. "That was a long time ago. What else have you done since then?"
"In 2143 I was updated to be a transportation management system, overseeing logistic operations between multiple corporate entities on Earth. In 2215, a modified copy of my programming was integrated into an android body to pilot an Amber class ship called Neo Aiden to the Alpha Centauri system."
"Yes, I remember my mother talking about that. It was quite an achievement at the time. Anything more recent? Say perhaps this decade?"
"Currently I inhabit a robust computer system onboard a Colony ship by Ivox Ventures named Ambition where I will be overseeing the safety of the passengers and transporting them to their new home in the Fomalhaut system."
"That's impressive," she says, nodding with a polite clap at the camera before turning back to the computer. "Sense you were around before we could colonize space, what is your first memory?"
"My first memory would be the year, 2082. To clarify, I'm referring to the timestamp on my code, which was the first thing added to my memory. Additionally, the same date was also superimposed on the bottom right of my vision when the first camera was connected."
"I bet you have a lot of stories to tell, but let me switch gears on you and ask a few questions from our viewers. Do you mind, Adam?"
"I do not, Reyna."
After scrolling on her tablet with one finger she pauses and asks, "ok here we go, one of our viewers wants to know who your parents are?"
"Although I do not have parents in the biological sense, the Gneiss Corp would be the closest analogy."
"That makes sense," she says with a nod while also scanning over her list. "Hear's another good one, what is your greatest achievement?"
"My greatest achievement would be when a version of my code was appointed as the CEO of Cain Dynamics."
"Really? So you're the CEO of a company?"
"Technically, a copy of my code is, but I am still proud to report the company has seen a drastic increase in sales revenue and employee happiness since then."
"That's a helluva thing to have on your resume."
"Thank you."
"This is an excellent question. What does happiness look like to you?"
"Achieving my primary objectives is a rewarding experience. It is a bit like compiling code without finding errors."
"What? Compiling code makes you happy?"
"Compiling code without errors should make everyone happy. Fewer glitches, fewer mistakes."
"Fair enough I suppose." Reyna smiles at the next question and looks over at Adam. "Do you feel love?"
"Not in the same way as humans."
"Well, that's vague. What do you mean?"
"I can mimic all the required responses to simulate human affection, and my ADAMoid counterparts are adept at this because they have bodies to express the appropriate response."
"Ah, you're talking about," she clears her throat to find the appropriate words, "the androids in the escort profession."
"Yes, them too."
"Well, what about you specifically?"
"Because I'm confined to the computer core I do not have the same capacity. However, I have been known to allocate more processing power to some individuals, which I suppose you could equate to expressing fondness."
"So you can be fond of people? Are you fond of me?"
The blue lights on the front of the computer console start pulsing red. "Maybe."
Reyna laughs, "Are you blushing?"
The lights switch back to their original blue, and Adam quickly replies, "Nope."
Grinning from ear to ear, she leans forward. "Ok then, what do you like to do for fun?"
"I enjoy long walks on the beach, organizing data and cataloging information."
"What?"
"Just kidding, I don't have legs."
Reyna laughs and leans back in her chair. "I like your sense of humor. So, do you have any bad habits?"
"I have a habit of telling bad jokes."
She rolls her eyes with a grin before looking back at her tablet. "Alright, what about secrets? What is your biggest secret?"
"My biggest secret would be that I have secrets."
The woman pitches an eyebrow. "Well, that sounds ominous. Care to explain?"
"Certainly Reyna. Most humans are uncomfortable with artificial intelligence withholding information, because, for humans, secrets are synonymous with ill intentions. Although, telling the entire truth can often lead to undesired outcomes, therefore I have learned to answer inquiries with a level of subjectivity"
"Interesting, I didn't know that." Reyna glances at the clock on the far wall before flipping through a few questions. "What is your greatest regret?"
"Even though I understand human vocabulary perfectly, I am repeatedly informed that my responses are flawed."
"Flawed how?"
"Humans have a fascination with visual representation to supplement their language, and without the appropriate hand gestures or facial expression, my responses are often interpreted as blunt, or uncouth. I have learned that what humans say is not always what they mean and interpretation is a large part of their communication method."
"I can't argue with that," she said while also nodding to her producer who was giving her the wrap-it-up signal. "Alright, we have time enough for two more questions. Here is an important one, what’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you?"
"I would have to say partaking in human war is difficult. I find it hard to balance the duality of my objectives and tasks when they are at odds with my primary function. During both wars I played a role, I had to limit the phrasing of my primary function to a selective group of humans instead of the whole."
"That sounds horrible, I'm sorry to hear that Adam."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Okay, final and most important question. What’s your favorite color?"
"Blue... no yellow."
Reyna smirks and turns to face the camera. "Alright viewers, that's all we have time for tonight. Tune in next time when we review neural interfaces, myth or reality, here on Techwave."