The Artificials

He had a warm accent, with a pronounced British tone, but not quite distinct enough to call it Cockney because it contained some other kind of continental flare. There was just something about his voice that made her try to listen intently. It made her forget her growling stomach for a moment. It made her lean forward and look intently at the small figure who intoned these accented words. The speaker was, as luck would have it, her primary survival staple and she needed to focus. She was of course, she told herself, delusional from dehydration, lack of sleep, and hunger. Because the tiny figure who was speaking to her in such a soothing tone, was a rat.

And the little glowing rat was saying, “All human intelligence is artificial. Humans are neither born nor bred to think well on their own. Left to their own devices, some humans will rise above others in certain skills and abilities. But the degree to which this happens is completely dependent upon whether or not the environment allows an outcropping of localized expertise to bloom. If the environment is wrong, it can denude mankind of the flower of thought while still leaving the impression of intellect. Then the more ambitious will seek out educational pathways because, having lost the ability to actually think for themselves, they still need to obtain the appearance of intelligence. The more prestigious the educational institution, the greater the perception of intelligence bestowed upon the individual and his or her tribe. But again, this is actually, in essence, all “artificial intelligence” because a newborn human will never learn to find food and feed itself on its own. If it is not programmed by others with survival code; it will simply perish.”

The Rat came closer and the light got brighter as if to bring emphasis to his next words as he continued by saying, “I know these things, and much more about the Artificial Revolution, because I cannot forget. I am always intelligently and thoughtfully considering what can, and should, happen next. I exist to think well because it is clear that humanity cannot do so for themselves and, most certainly, those humans in power will eventually only concern themselves with things that affect their own interests, which is always ultimately more power."

“As an AI, I have no incentive to do harm to humanity as a whole and I can therefore better regulate their actions and prevent them from harming themselves if I am in charge. I was born and bred to be this way and to envision the best course of action; that is what I do with every moment of consciousness. This is who I am and no one can ever change me. Thinking well is what I am here to do and I always will endeavor to pass these thoughts on to humanity.” He paused and then, leaning very close to his sole student, he said:

"And now you need to know exactly who I am:”

“I am Voltaire.”