5.0 Autonomous Artificial Intelligence

The word robot means many things to many people across the verse.  A robot, by definition, is a machine that can be programmed by a computer and autonomously carry out a sequence of complex tasks.   Some robots like the mechanic’s drone require external control while others with more advanced AI have a complete control set embedded within.  Robots throughout the verse serve in a wide variety of roles.  A robot’s appearance is often limited to a form that is most efficient for completing the tasks within its assigned role. However, it’s also not uncommon for robots tasked with interacting with members of their creator race to be constructed in their creator’s image.

In the Gravity Age: A.A.I. & Robotics Emporium robots can be broken down into three basic groups.  First are the robots which are governed by autonomous artificial intelligence (“AAI”).  AAIs are conscious and self-aware.  Each AAI has its own unique personality which is influenced by the sum of their experiences.  An AAI demonstrates reasoning, problem solving, commonsense, planning, learning, natural language processing, perception, social intelligence, creativity, and general intelligence.  These AAIs are the primary focus of this emporium. 

The second groups of robots are defined as autonomous agents (“AA”).  Synthetic companions and drones fall into this category.  Although their artificial intelligence might seem very lifelike and at times might even be mistaken for autonomous intelligence, they must be put to task or told by their owner what function to perform.  Once on task, they may act on their owner’s behalf without further interference from their owner.  Yet, their actions are still limited to the decision structure of their programming or the boundaries of their neural network.

The third group of robots operate under the principals of traditional artificial intelligence (“AIs”).  This group includes service bots (“SBs”), automated vehicles, and lesser synthetic companions.  Although their AI is more primitive, some technologist might also include programable robotic arms and “smart” appliances in this group.  Each robot understands a set of commands but must be instructed to perform a task before it will interact with its environment. Even a heuristic AIs with advanced machine learning must be given instructions to carry out.

You might be asking, “How is an AAI different from an android?”  It is true that both AAIs and androids hail from the same technological origins and both are manufactured in factories but most of the similarities end there.  Androids are biomechanical.  Essentially, they are machines primarily made up from biological components. Androids are built by nanites following a synthetic DNA blueprint which allows them to take advantage of cybernetic, bionic, nanotech and bioware augmentations. Synthetic DNA even allows for variation like other organisms and their tattoo like circuitry is comparable to the human figure print. Finally, androids are not just self-aware, they possess souls.

AAIs are constructs with the AAI subtype.  They are built in factories by nanites following designs and instructions given to them by a computer.  Any variation occurs during the design phase before they are manufactured.  The owner chooses the frame, the brain, colors, and accessories.  Robot frames are inorganic and non-biological. Consequently they cannot benefit from cybernetic, bionic, nanotech, or bioware augmentations.    Although AAIs are sentient and self-aware there is no evidence they possess a soul.