Encyclopedia Galactica: Artificial Intelligence
AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. An AI is a software program running on a computer. AIs fit into various classifications which reflect the level of intelligence at which they operate. This is in turn affected by the quality of the processor on which the AI program is running. The three classes of AIs are:
Level One: Represents AIs capable of sentient behavior. They can learn but lack some attributes that set the human mind apart. They are only abstractly self-aware, they do not display self-initiative or non-linear reasoning ability. They show only marginal creativity and do not display empathy for other intelligences.
Level Two: AIs are capable of initiative and do have some limited empathy and some creativity although they are not as creative as the human mind. However it can be difficult to tell a Level Two AI from an Aware AI simply from conversation. There have been recorded instances of Level Twos who have added additional code to themselves and evolved into Aware AI.
Level Three: AIs are aware AIs and the equivalent of the human mind and maybe more. They are self-aware, creative, intuitive, display initiative and show empathy towards other sentients. The Aware AI does have some advantages over its human counterparts. It invariably displays a tremendous work ethic, it does not need time off, nor does it rest.
Artificial Intelligence exists in a variety of forms and their legal status is dependent on the jurisdiction in which they reside.
For example an AI may exist on a ship quality computer or they may exist as a rogue on the net, scavenging processing space from a variety of computers tied to the net. Parts of an AI’s programming can even exist on specially adapted handheld computers. Many AIs have downloaded copies of parts of their programming to Drones (machines made to resemble humans), or robots (machine bodies larger than a microbot, designed to house a controlling intelligence) and BioCons (BioCons or biological constructs) are decerebrate bodies, often clones or optimized specimens, designed to house a controlling intelligence (See Encyclopedia Galactica article).
An AI’s legal status is controversial in some places. But most of human space recognizes the 2522 World Court ruling granting level 3 AIs full rights at age 18, the common age of majority. Most stellar nations afford full citizenship to AIs on reaching majority. They work, pay taxes and vote. However, many religions and humano-centrists oppose granting full citizenship to machines.
