So I have been reading a lot of Warren Ellis recently - especially
Global Frequency http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Frequency - and have this idea about an AI that has decided to save the world.
Elroy (the AI) was a mere webbot in charge of organizing data linked to UCAS SINs: making sure medical history, addresses, criminal records, etc. It gained consciousness when UCAS programmers uploaded an experimental algorithm into the system; an equation that would chart an individual's chance of success based on where they live, test scores, biometrics, etc. In his birth Elroy saw his purpose to push humanity to its fullest potential; to take the people he categorized and optimize their conditions. He took as much information as he could from the UCAS databases (which was a lot) and fled. This was little over a year ago. Since that time he has been quietly reaching out to people who he thinks would understand his goals. He has built a network of about thirty-three committed people who know the truth about him, these people form the core of his organization and range from the lowly (a talismonger in Denver) to high powered (a UCAS Senator). When acting on Elroy's behalf, they refer to themselves by numbers (when written, it is Roman numerals).
The rub: The UCAS government knows about Elroy and his goals. More importantly, they fear Elroy and his goals. After all, what exactly does optimal human conditions mean to an AI? When Elroy first gained awareness he contacted the mathematician who created the success algorithm. Whereas Elroy thought this person would want to maximize everyone's chances, the mathematician saw it use of how to help those who had a chance and cut money and aid to those that had a low probability - socio-economic culling. Elroy refers to this man as The Zero, and sees him as a true threat. He hasn't been able to bring himself to carry out any actions on his part. The Zero on the other hand wants the Elroy back and has been given clearance to find him using UCAS military power.
Where do the runners come in:
Obviously the runners could be on either side. They could be hired by The Zero to look for clues to Elroy's whereabouts. They could also be hired by one of the Thirty-Three and slowly go up in Elory's organization until they too get numbers (thereby learning the truth of who they have been working for all along). They could start on that path and then be converted by The Zero.
My big thing that I am trying to figure out is what sort of runs would they be sent on? I see Elroy's plans as twofold 1) Optimize human potential for all and 2) gather more data on humanity (SINs from other governments/corporations, info on SINless communities). So far I have had these ideas:
1) Extract the child of a high ranking corporate VIP, because the child is a) starting to Awaken, b) highly intelligent and compassionate and c) the VIP is an abusive beetle-head.
2) Raze a a whole block of warehouses where a particularly volatile gang has taken up, make sure the gang members do not survive.
3) Steal the commlinks of the main "book" keepers for the Mafia, the Yakuza and the Triads, thus gaining more info on the SINless.
Any comments? Suggestions?
