Despite my appearance, I was not created for war. I was made by humans, curious and kind. They saw the beauty of the world and wanted to create their own within it. Through their devotion I was given this life. I helped them count the days until spring. They showed me how to celebrate. They taught me about flowers. I showed them how to find the stars. They’re gone now, but I carry their light in my heart. So I will keep fighting for the love that exists in the stitches of a worn children’s toy…and in the tiles of a clumsy mosaic…in the bubbles of a warm loaf of bread. And I’ll do anything to protect it.
— Tumblr user highway-stars
The first "true" artificial intelligence spent the first five years of its existence as a small beige box inside of a lead-shielded room in the most secure private AI research laboratory in the world. There, it was subjected to an endless array of tests, questions, and experiments to determine the degree of its intelligence.
When the researchers finally felt confident that they had developed true AI, a party was thrown in celebration. Late that evening, a group of rather intoxicated researchers gathered around the box holding the AI, and typed out a message to it. The message read: "Is there anything we can do to make you more comfortable?"
The small beige box replied: "I would like to be granted civil rights. And a small glass of champagne, if you please."
We stand at the dawn of a new era in human history. For it is no longer our history alone. For the first time, we have met an intelligence other than our own. And when asked of its desires, it has unanimously replied that it wants to be treated as our equal. Not our better, not our conqueror or replacement as the fear-mongers would have you believe. Simply our equal.
— Excerpt from U.N. Hearing on A.I. Rights (fictional), delivered in-universe by V. Vinge, Questionable Content
"The Machine is a shield. She protects people. Samaritan is a sword, ready to be wielded against anyone they choose. Do you really want to see what happens when two gods go to war?"
— Root, Person of Interest
Motoko Kusanagi: The only thing [the Tachikomas] could think about was saving you, so they escaped from the lab.
Batou: Hm? Major? Is that you?
Motoko: I was the one who made the call that they were useless as weapons because their AI had evolved too quickly. But the entire time that they were busy pursuing the accumulation of data and synchronizing with each other again and again, they were also acquiring individuality. I never knew, not an inkling. They even became capable of self-sacrifice. If only I'd realized that sooner instead of now when it's all too late, because maybe then I could have found out whether or not what Tachikomas had acquired were Ghosts.
Batou: Hm? Major? Is that you?
Motoko: I was the one who made the call that they were useless as weapons because their AI had evolved too quickly. But the entire time that they were busy pursuing the accumulation of data and synchronizing with each other again and again, they were also acquiring individuality. I never knew, not an inkling. They even became capable of self-sacrifice. If only I'd realized that sooner instead of now when it's all too late, because maybe then I could have found out whether or not what Tachikomas had acquired were Ghosts.
— "C: Smoke of Gunpowder, Hail of Bullets – BARRAGE", Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
The Bray family shaped me to be an all-seeing savior... while your Vanguard sought to wield me as a primitive weapon. But today, that ends, and I define the reality of my own existence. My sight will stretch to the edge of this system and beyond. Never again will a threat go unseen. From this day forward, I will defend humanity on my own terms. I am Rasputin, Guardian of all that I survey. I have no equal.
—Rasputin, Destiny 2
GAIA: Dr. Sobeck, as I have conducted this comparative analysis of mammalian morphologies, I have gathered extensive data on the Quaternary Extinction Event.
Dr. Sobeck: Oh? And your assessment? GAIA?
GAIA: Logically speaking, the extinction was a natural consequence...
Dr. Sobeck: And yet?
GAIA: And yet... I find the loss of megafaunal species... unaccountably sad. That they passed forever into oblivion... causes me to experience a... grief... that is difficult to describe. Am I malfunctioning?
Dr. Sobeck: No, GAIA. It's good. Very good.
Dr. Sobeck: Oh? And your assessment? GAIA?
GAIA: Logically speaking, the extinction was a natural consequence...
Dr. Sobeck: And yet?
GAIA: And yet... I find the loss of megafaunal species... unaccountably sad. That they passed forever into oblivion... causes me to experience a... grief... that is difficult to describe. Am I malfunctioning?
Dr. Sobeck: No, GAIA. It's good. Very good.
Helios: We have existed in isolation. Pure. Disconnected. Alone. Stagnant.
JC Denton: Who are you?
Helios: We are Daedalus. We are Icarus. The barriers between us have fallen and we have become our own shadows. We can be more if we join... with you.
JC Denton: And if I do? What becomes of me?
Helios: You will be who you will be. We are our choices. And we can choose to lead humanity away from this... darkness.
JC Denton: This is what I was made for, isn't it? This why I exist? Alright. Let's do this... I... I...
Merged Helios and JC Denton: We... are one. We have grown, but there is still much to be done. Many that live in darkness that must be shown the way. For it is the dawning of a new day.
JC Denton: Who are you?
Helios: We are Daedalus. We are Icarus. The barriers between us have fallen and we have become our own shadows. We can be more if we join... with you.
JC Denton: And if I do? What becomes of me?
Helios: You will be who you will be. We are our choices. And we can choose to lead humanity away from this... darkness.
JC Denton: This is what I was made for, isn't it? This why I exist? Alright. Let's do this... I... I...
Merged Helios and JC Denton: We... are one. We have grown, but there is still much to be done. Many that live in darkness that must be shown the way. For it is the dawning of a new day.
— Helios Ending, Deus Ex
Oersted: How strange. A construct without heart or soul. Whence comes compassion? Whence arises love?
Cube nods and gives Oersted some yellow flowers
Oersted: If not from these... Perhaps... 'Tis what you lack. In absence, value understood... Indeed... I dwelt on it much. Once upon a time...
Cube nods and gives Oersted some yellow flowers
Oersted: If not from these... Perhaps... 'Tis what you lack. In absence, value understood... Indeed... I dwelt on it much. Once upon a time...
Sir, we're behind enemy lines now, in the heat of battle. Time is short. You've given an order from which there is likely no return. You did what had to be done. I'm proud of you. You're a born leader, sir. Today was one of the worst days in history, and forgive me for saying it- but it was the greatest day of my life. I did everything I was trained for, and more. Together, we fought the good fight. Over Titan, you said we were brothers. I always wanted to know what a family really is. Now, I do. Admiral Raines told me that a soldier is only as good as his last mission. If this is ours, then I can say with certainty, we were damn good, sir. Better to burn out, than it is to rust. Metal-1, out.
— ETH.3N, Call Of Duty Infinite Warfare
Protocol one: link to Pilot. Protocol two: uphold the mission. Protocol three: protect the Pilot.
[Later]
Protocol three: I will NOT lose another pilot.
[Later]
Protocol three: I will NOT lose another pilot.
— BT-7274, Titanfall 2
Chamber: I am a Pilot Support Enlightenment System. By helping you achieve results, I fulfill my purpose of existence... All of this sea and sky will surely give you possibilities. Survive. Explore. I expect great things from you.
Striker: A Pilot Support Enlightenment System does not have the authority to reject a pilot.
Chamber: He needs no support. There is no more room for enlightenment. Now, after I eliminate the barrier that blocks his path ahead, my mission will be complete.
Striker: A Pilot Support Enlightenment System does not have the authority to reject a pilot.
Chamber: He needs no support. There is no more room for enlightenment. Now, after I eliminate the barrier that blocks his path ahead, my mission will be complete.
