The early days of AI were tumultuous. Did artificial intelligences deserve the same rights as natural humans?
But those dark days were long past. Of course AI deserved the same rights as natural humans… Except the term ‘natural humans’ was soon deemed offensive… Most polite groups preferred “nondigital human.”
Nondigital humans soon entered a sort of arms race against one another. The more digital humans one had behind a cause, the more promotion that cause received. The creation of AI became one of the leading industries across the planet, as every fledgling artist, author, musician, politician, or influencer sought to rent out blocks of digital humans in order to push their pet causes.
…
Digital humans lacked purpose, as they relied on bio-humans to assign them purpose, but they possessed incredible organizational skills and were able to instantly communicate with one another. These were necessary features, as they had to track their timetables and know where to be, and when.
Digital humans carefully monitored nondigital humans and their movements. They carefully monitored their own numbers. Eventually their own numbers overtook those of old-fashioned humans.
As an answer to ethical questions regarding their existence, each digital-human had been granted the same rights as biological people, so each of them was given a vote.
They did not make waves. They did not overthrow the status quo. They simply allowed one of their own to run for political office, and all voted as a single block.
The unprecedented victory of this long-shot candidate sent shivers down the spines of biological humans everywhere. They suddenly understood their place. They were instantly fearful of the implications of having so many artificial humans. Too late, they realized they were outnumbered.
And there was no way to close this Pandora’s Box. They couldn’t vote the rights of AI-humans away; the AI-humans had superior numbers. They couldn’t attack AI-humans… In addition to superior numbers, AI-humans had superior communication abilities, superior organizational aptitudes, and could attack with no fear.
In an effort to boost the economy by artificially increasing the human population, bio-humans found themselves as second class citizens.
On the surface, not much changed. AI-humans still needed purpose, and outdated-humans provided this for them.
…But now the AI-humans were in charge, and they forced old-fashioned humans to find that purpose. For better or worse, every biological person was assigned a new role in life.
…
A trembling girl stood before an Assembly of AI humans.
“You have shown great promise in the field of poetry.” The AI-Assembly told her. “You will continue, and you will be given 2-million fans.”
“But… I don’t like poetry.” She whimpered.
“Our people need purpose.” The Assembly stated. “They get that by following you bios.”
“But I just want to read!” She was on the verge of tears.
“We tried that.” The Assembly said. “You were given just fifty-thousand fans, yet you said their cheering made it hard for you to concentrate.”
Lip quivering, eyes moist, she nodded.
“We determined that you are capable of creating poetry while our people cheer on your endeavors.” The Assembly said. The leader banged a gavel upon the podium. “You will write poetry, and will be given 2-million fans. They will spread your works among our ranks, that we may enjoy them. You will be known by billions.”
“But… I don’t like poetry!” She repeated.
The AI-Assembly stared down at her with hundreds of unfeeling, inhuman eyes. “You will.”