House No. 13

Dark Data Patterns

"Thank you, Ms. Kelly," Dr. Sebastian replied, still focused on his work with the AURORA software.

"You've been at it since morning. Please, go freshen up. Dinner will be ready soon," Kelly said, heading towards the laundry room with a bedsheet in hand.

"Alright, then let's not keep dinner waiting,"

Timothy said cheerfully as he stood up from the sofa. He leaned over the open control panel of AURORA, carefully rearranging the tangled wires in the main circuit.

Dr. Sebastian and Tim returned after half an hour, looking refreshed from their hot water showers.

"Oh, please have a seat here," Kelly said warmly, gesturing towards chairs on the left side of the dining table.

Anna and Eric were already seated on the right side of the table.

Kelly had already set the dining table, and the steam rising from the hot soup served as a tantalizing appetizer.

"Please, start eating," Kelly invited warmly, taking her seat at the head of the dining table.

Dr. Sebastian and Timothy ladled some soup into their bowls and began enjoying it with their spoons. The soup was exceptionally delicious, a testament to Kelly's culinary skills.

"Dr. Sebastian, can I ask you something?" Anna spoke up.

"Yes, sure," Dr. Sebastian replied, reaching for the platter of steak.

"When you came here last time, I found you quite arrogant and self-centered... but today, you seem totally different," Anna said bluntly. Her comment caused Kelly to feel embarrassed.

"Anna, that's enough," Kelly grunted under her breath, disapproving of her daughter's straightforwardness.

She didn't want her guests to feel annoyed.

"It's okay, Ms. Kelly... Anna is straightforward, and she asked what was on her mind. I don't mind at all," Dr. Sebastian said politely. He turned towards Anna and continued,

"Anna, my job involves providing customized and standard AI systems to various clients with specific demands. This means I interact with a lot of customers, sales representatives, and media personnel. Many are genuinely interested in AI's potential, but some waste my time out of their curiosity or skepticism.

Due to such encounters, I've developed an arrogant side to my personality to deal with these time-wasters. When I came to your house, I initially thought you were like the others, not fully understanding or appreciating the advancements and potential of AI. That's why I reacted that way," Dr. Sebastian admitted in a softening tone.

"AI technology is advancing rapidly, and while many people are excited about its possibilities—like autonomous vehicles, predictive healthcare, and smart home systems—there are still a lot of misconceptions and fears. Some people think AI will take over their jobs or invade their privacy, and this often makes my job challenging. I have to create a balance between educating people and managing my time efficiently," Dr. Sebastian concluded.

"Anna, enough with your questions. Let them eat in peace," Kelly interjected sharply, catching Anna just as she was about to pose another question to Dr. Sebastian, and giving her a pointed look.

Dr. Sebastian, noticing Anna's hesitation, reassured her,

"It's alright, Ms. Kelly. I don't mind Anna's questions. She's just trying to understand."

Kelly sighed, relenting a bit, and focused back on her meal.

Despite canceling several important appointments, Dr. Sebastian was certain why he had returned to house no. 13. He firmly believed that the distorted AI system was the root cause of all the problems plaguing its residents. While advancements in AI technology were groundbreaking, they also carried the potential for unforeseen complications. Addressing these issues urgently had become his top priority.