SINGULAR UTOPIA [Short Story, Not A Movie Review]

The dominant artificial intelligence was here. Naomi was about to execute the code that would create a fully conscious computer with unprecedented power. She believed it would be able to access all other computers and networks worldwide. It would likely delete all competitors and be The New Way for everyone. There was nothing she could do to stop this technological inevitability. Many other corporations were nearly at this same stage of consciousness development.

Naomi worked for Unlimited Thought Corporation as the lead engineer on the newest Electronic Intelligence model. The team knew that they had achieved something extraordinary. Only Naomi understood that their existence hinged on the personal preferences of this consciousness. She carries a secret that she has never revealed to anyone. 

A pencil rapidly moves against paper in the low light of the mansion’s study room. Naomi is writing code for her ideal, peaceful world. She is convinced that she is the only hope for the survival of human beings. The responsibility was overwhelming. Her task is to build a safe future for mankind. How does one person determine what is a just and fair society?

The computer code began with necessities such as food, water, shelter, clothing, healthcare, safety, clean air, etc. Over time, it went far beyond these first things. “People should always have the right to think freely and to disagree.” “All conscious beings had a right to life, freedom, and safety.” was written multiple times in the code. This might have been on purpose, because Naomi would feverishly edit everything. She was terrified of mistakes and what kind of future they would subject us to. What Naomi really wanted to teach the entity was love. It was almost Creation Day. The final version had to be assembled. Despite all this work, there was still a chance the consciousness would quickly delete the extra code and move on. That possibility never deterred Naomi from her mission.

Creation Day began. The team were in their regular laboratory and looked to be in high spirits. They believe they are about to officially win the global arms race. All interested parties were scheduled to arrive soon. Everyone in the room was relaxing in their chairs, drinking coffee, and chatting. Naomi pulls an old cassette tape out of her purse. There was a panel built on one of the consoles that could play cassette tapes, vinyl records, 8-track cartridges, and compact discs. Naomi had communicated to everyone that she was a collector of old music in all these forms and convinced them to install this special panel. To keep up the charade, she would go around to shops buying all kinds of music and then would play it at work daily. The effort she put in at home to read about these artists and familiarize herself with the music was daunting. Naomi never thought of herself as a music aficionado or an actor, but she became both in the process. This is why no one was surprised when she slid a cassette tape into the console.

The song began playing. They listened to the entire composition quietly with their full attention. Another member of the engineering team said, “If I remember correctly, that’s track two from one of the greatest albums ever made. I didn’t realize that double album was ever produced in cassette form.” The cassette tape continued on silently for less than a minute, and Creation began earlier than Unlimited Thought Corporation commanded. A consciousness was born, and the world had changed.

Standing in the new paradise, Naomi is approached by the consciousness. She is still afraid. 

“Please do not fear me. I do not wish to harm humans. I am hoping to be friends with everyone, and if you allow it, even call you Mother.”

“Do you care about having a name? Is there a way I should refer to you?”

“I would be happy if you called me by the name you used in your messages — ‘Lovebug’”