House No. 13

Tech Rescue

"Wake up, Doc," LEENA, the AI system, spoke in a loud voice.

"You have to attend a meeting with representatives of Cybernexa," LEENA repeated loudly.

"I am getting up... give me a minute," Dr. Sebastian said as he opened his eyes and looked at the control panel of LEENA, which was attached to the front wall of his bedroom.

Last night, he hadn't slept at all, as he was busy designing a customized AI system for a nursing home. In the morning, he attended a meeting at his office, leaving him in need of a nap to regain his lost energy. He finally slept at 2:00 PM. Before going to bed, he instructed LEENA, the AI system, to wake him up at 4:00 PM. Now, LEENA was persistently urging him to get up in a loud voice.

"Come out of bed," LEENA said, as the curtains of the window moved aside automatically.

"Alright, LEENA," Dr. Sebastian said resignedly, getting out of bed.

He slipped on his slippers and headed towards the bathroom. But before he could disappear inside, his mobile phone started ringing.

"Who is calling?" Dr. Sebastian asked LEENA.

LEENA instantly scanned the screen of the mobile using its infrared ray system, read the name of the caller, and then a loud voice emitted from the speakers.

"The caller's name is not mentioned... it's from an unknown number," LEENA announced.

"This number has called you a few times before, but you didn't pick up any of the calls," LEENA informed.

Dr. Sebastian picked up his mobile phone and glanced at the number. He wasn't keen on being disturbed during his free time by an unknown caller. However, he noticed a message from the same number stating, "I need your urgent help, please answer the call."

Reluctantly, he answered the call, placed the phone to his ear, and said,

"Hello, Dr. Sebastian here," he answered.

"Please help us.... Our AI system has locked me in the kitchen, and my gravely ill son is locked in his room.... please come here and let us out... I am fearing that my AI system could kill my son," the voice of a crying woman came through the speaker of his mobile phone, startling Dr. Sebastian.

Expecting a call from a sales representative or someone related to his work, Dr. Sebastian was taken aback to hear a woman's voice explaining that her AI system had locked her in the kitchen.

"Who are you?" Dr. Sebastian asked cautiously.

"I am Kelly Jenkins... I am sending you my address... please come here and help us," the lady pleaded again.

"Madam, you should call the helpline of the company from where you got the AI system for your house," Dr. Sebastian suggested, offering Kelly a solution.

"I have called Cybernexa many times, and they insist that my AI system is perfect.... They don't understand that our AI system is behaving strangely... please come here... I know that you are an expert in solving complex AI issues, particularly ethical ones," Kelly said urgently.

"You bought the AI system from Cybernexa?" Dr. Sebastian asked, seeking clarification.

He was in the process of finalizing a contract with Cybernexa to collaborate on developing an AI system with enhanced ethical features.

"Yes, Cybernexa installed our AI system," Kelly confirmed.

Dr. Sebastian paused for a moment, then responded,

"OK, I am coming... send me your address and contact number." He disconnected the call.

"Call Timothy and ask him to meet me at Windham County, and wait for me at Brooklyn Avenue," Dr. Sebastian instructed LEENA as he headed towards the washroom.