ANITA (A New & Improved Technological Advancement) A.I.
It started during my fifteenth birthday when I graduated college and was offered to intern at the International Institute of Scientific Progress. It was a prestigious place created by the collective countries of the world that researched on genetics, abilities, and a separate division for technology and medicine.
"Rory, I just got off the phone from Dr. Eisenhower at the IISP, and he has asked me to talk to you regarding an internship position available in their computer science division," said Dean L.E. Munch, as he handed an official letter from said institute.
"They have been impressed with the undergraduate thesis you have submitted regarding the introduction of artificial intelligence in the brain implant, and believe that you have much to learn and to offer inside the institute. What say you?"
"It would be an honor, Dean Munch. I firmly believe that introducing an A.I. would greatly benefit the world and would further increase efficiency in both work and social life of people," I replied. "I would be honored to work at the institute."
"That's good to know, my boy! You have so much potential, and I believe you would push our society even further into the future."
We talked some more about the institute, current research on the field, alumni from the school who would gladly show the ropes around said institute, and many more as I close this chapter of my life. It was bittersweet, my journey from that nosy little boy who was too smart for his own good, until the young computer scientist that I have become today.
What I haven't told Dean Munch was that contrary to the conclusion stated on my thesis paper about the difficulties of introducing an A.I. and the problems that may be encountered, I have secretly created my own, named ANITA (A New and Improved Technological Advancement) in memory of my beloved dog who I rescued years ago. She died of cancer, but I will always remember the love I have for her and will cherish the memories I have with the dog.
ANITA is the brainchild of 5 year's worth of blood, sweat, and tears. Ever since I have been implanted at the age of 10 years old, through the Young Scholars Society, it has been my wish to introduce an automated system assistant that can act sub-independently with minimal instructions. I have at first thought of creating simple programs, but being as anal as I am, I thought, why not go higher and create a truly independent program, thus the birth of ANITA and the publishing of my thesis at a reputed science journal with a high impact score.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ANITA A.I. Progress: 85%]
[ANITA A.I. Progress: 86%]
[ANITA A.I. Progress: 87%]
.
.
.
[ANITA A.I. Progress: 99%]
[ANITA A.I. Progress: 100%]
*Ping*
[Hello, Master. My name is Anita. How can I help you today?]
[Anita, please collect all academic references for core subjects of: math, physics, chemistry, biology, social science, history, psychology, medicine, language, technology and their sub-fields. Scour every available resource and categorize them by field, sub-field, and date from oldest to current knowledge. How long will this take?]
[This will take 24:00 hr. Will that be all, Master?]
[That will be all, Anita. Thank you. Oh, before I forget, welcome to this world!]
[Thank you, Sir. It is good to be born.]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JUNE 25, 2110
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS
CANTEEN
It has been 6 months since Anita has been created and I couldn't be happier. Not only has my A.I. collected and categorized all the knowledge of my world, but I have also been digesting all these information, which has made me (a) more knowledgeable, and (b) more competent in my chosen fields of study.
For the regular human who has got the brain implant, they would have to manually (by thinking it) download the information online and sorting them into different folders before they can even begin to digest said information. I have skipped all that with my command and have reaped the rewards of a competent A.I.
My internship at the institute started last month, and I have been in awe at the cutting-edge technology and brand new information available at the place. This is the fount of all new knowledge in the world and I have been given the opportunity to work here. It felt good.
I was eating really good lasagna with extra meat sauce and thick beschamel sauce when the topic of abilities was opened up.
"This is your 5th year of having your brain implant, right?" Asked John, my fellow intern.
"It sure is! I can't wait to know what my esper ability will be. I just hope it would be something useful."
"Aren't they all useful?"
"Technically, they all are, but I just wish it would be something that would work well with my profession. It would be pretty useless if I were to receive something like being able to breathe underwater or something, when I'm a computer scientist," I replied.
To which John responded, "You've got a point. Personally, I would love to have the ability to levitate. It would be so cool to be able to fly freely. Imagine all the money saved not paying for transportation! And seeing the whole world!"
"I wouldn't mind receiving one of the mind abilities. I just feel like people aren't giving it too much importance and opting for the flashier ones."
"If you're into that sort of thing, yes. But wouldn't it be redundant to receive, let's say telepathy, when everyone can converse simply by calling each other online? Not to mention the fact that these type of abilities are so heavily monitored and restricted. I'm just saying it doesn't give you much of an advantage."
While what John said was true, rarer and dangerous abilities like telepathy are heavily monitored and restricted, I believe that there's just so much more you can do with the ability. We just need creativity and will to explore the boundaries. Aside from collecting knowledge on academic disciplines, I have also tasked Anita to collect information on different types of literature ranging from fantasy and science fiction, comic books, manga, and films. Take the telepaths from X-Men, they can use telepathy for offense and defense, create constructs, illusions, and many more.
I just feel like people are taking these gifts for granted, content in the notion that the world is at peace and they can live comfortably without bothering to explore and learn more than what is necessary.
"Anyway, let's finish our meal and head back to the office. We're supposed to attend that seminar on neuronal links and device operation," I said.
"Let's!"