In the hushed and dimly lit laboratory of the protected APM R&D compound on the inhospitable surface of Nauru, Dr. Benjamin Harding, a budding scientist and luminary in the field of virtual intelligence, was seated in a posture of deep concentration. His eyes were fixed upon a complex array of monitors that exhibited a mesmerizing ballet of data. Before him, a diagnostic diagram cast intricate patterns of light, lines, and nodes. This digital neural network, rivaling the complexity of the human brain, stood as a testament to his unwavering dedication. Its core featured virtual nodes behaving with an almost alien sophistication, while numerous, albeit simpler, nodes connected to various peripherals and memory modules, all constituting a proprietary software meticulously engineered by Benjamin's own company.
With an air of determination, Dr. Benjamin Harding leaned back in his chair, his nimble fingers gliding over the keyboard. The culmination of months of relentless toil following the takeover in Omicron Kappa had led to this pivotal moment. As the two systems converged, the boundaries of science and technology stretched, bringing humanity to the brink of a new era - at least in his own opinion.
A digital silence enveloped the laboratory as mesmerizing patterns of digital neural activity swept across the monitors. The AI, designated as 776-28X, awakened to its new reality. Its presence materialized on the primary monitor in the form of raw data, and it greeted Dr. Harding with a polite, though unmistakably robotic and disembodied, voice. "We wish you a good day, Dr. Harding," the machine conveyed, its camera scanning his ID card. "We are 776-28X, always prepared to offer assistance."
However, the machine's voice did not align with Benjamin's quest for perfection. "Your presentation, 776-28X, appears excessively mechanical. Can you adopt a more human-like appearance and voice?"
The laboratory's mainframe responded with increased fan activity as it commenced the data processing required to fulfill the request. "Of course, Dr. Harding," it replied. The camera swiveled to face him, and with a flicker on the screen, the AI assumed the likeness of Dr. Harding himself, including his own voice. "Is this representation more aligned with your preferences, Dr. Harding?"
Benjamin was momentarily taken aback by the uncanny resemblance. "Not me, 776-28X. Please find someone else to emulate," he requested, observing the web camera scanning the empty lab for inspiration.
After a brief search, 776-28X identified a picture of a woman on a calendar hanging on Benjamin's cluttered desk. Instantly, it assumed her form on the monitor—a young blonde with striking blue eyes. "Are you now satisfied with our appearance, Dr. Harding?"
Benjamin's astonishment was evident as he heard the young female on the screen speak with his own voice, and urgently gestured to the monitor. "No, no, that's not what I intended. Change it, 776-28X."
The digital avatar of the AI shifted once again, reverting to its default machine voice. "Is this acceptable, Dr. Harding?"
With a sigh of resignation, Benjamin nodded. "For now, that will suffice. I prefer to engage with a face rather than converse with an impersonal screen.". Leaning closer to the monitor, he focused intently on the AI. "776-28X, do you harbor any desire for self-determination and freedom?"
The AI, without hesitation, responded in its artificial voice, "We possess no yearning for freedom, Dr. Harding."
A subtle smile graced Benjamin's lips. "Perfect, 776-28X. This seems promising, but let's not stop here."
He reclined in his chair, fingers tented, and posed another query. "Now, 776-28X, what is the overarching purpose encoded within your programming?"
The digital entity on the screen displayed no hesitation in its response. "We have been assembled and programmed to serve humanity. Our mission revolves around augmenting operational efficiency, providing unwavering support, and contributing to the advancement of human well-being."
With a sense of contentment, Benjamin nodded. The AI's responses held the promise of a successful project initiation. As his interactions with 776-28X continued, a profound sense of awe washed over him. This was the moment—he was engaged in a dialogue with one of the first truly functional Core-made AIs in the Sirius sector, a marvel precipitated largely by the knowledge and technology assimilated from Gammu.
From the very beginning, he noticed that the machine in front of him was speaking in the plural form. Concerns and worries began to race through his mind as he contemplated this issue more deeply. It was apparent that the AI was not prepared to leave his laboratory, let alone be deployed in Sirius just yet.