AI Colonies

  AI Colonies are the informal name of colonies established primarily for artificial life-forms such as droids.    

Concept

An AI colony is the informal name for a colony that was established either primarily or exclusively for artificial residents. This would include droids, autonmous drones and AI platforms operating with or without a host form.   The idea was first floated with the advent of 8th and 9th generation AI in the late 25th century. It was theorized that as AI could conceivably live and work in almost any environment, they could settle worlds that would not be suitable to biologicals.   This would include worlds with very high or very low gravity, extremes of temperature, hostile atmosphere or even radiation (with shielding).  

Known AI Colonies

As of 2610, there are 4 known AI colonies:

• Celeste
• Aeppel
• Minos
• Calicco

It is understood that there are more in Republic space but that they are either not known or have not registered to be considered Republic worlds.  

AI State -State 01

According to information passed to the The Terran Empire by ADVANCE, the AI lobbying group, there was a "theoretical" AI state known as State-01. This was formed by the consensus of each AI colony and then by a broad exchange of information and intelligence between the colonies.   As this pre-dated HARP technology, the data was passed by packet couriers and was not FTL.   The AI community never confirmed the existene of State-01 and it was presumed to be all but wiped out after the Cobalt attack in 2493  

Politics

AI colonies have their own form of politics which they refer to as "the consensus". AI's are able to debate and deconstruct ideas very quickly and all sentient AIs at each colony can plug into the consensus to pass on their thoughts and information. This allows the colony to have "direct government" from its citizens.   Whilst AI colonies do have named Governors, they are more often than not just spokesperson for a colony world.   As members of the Terran Republic, AI colonies are permitted to elect or appoint their senators. As a rule, they have eschewed partisan politics and tend to elect an "expert". Most votes are, curiously, very heavily weighted with 99-1% margins in most elections.  

Economic Power

AI colonies are famous for their high economic and financial output. As AI's do not need rest, sleep or entertainment, they are able to work long hours and AI run factory units are hugely productive.   AI colonies often have an economic output that is ten or even twenty times greater than an equivalent biological colony. This has led some Republic politicians to refer to them as "money printing factories".  

Criticisms

There was resistance when the first AI colonies were established as some in the Imperial Council feared that the AI colonies could become "a state within a state". There was also concern that this would create segregation between biological and AI citizens.   In the 26th and 27th century, the criticism turned to the "powerful economic output" of these worlds and that in the long run, they would "render biologicals obsolete." This also drew some futurists to suggest that "AI colonies were the future and could be a secret weapon to allow Terran growth to compete with alien powers."   There is also an ongoing concern, referred to as "The Singularity" that suggests in the long run, AI beings will either render biologicals obsolete, slaves or simply exterminate them.   As of 2615, there have been very few AI on biological violent episodes whist terrorist organisation Burning Path has killed huge numbers of AIs, including 80% of the AI population with the Cobalt attack.