Self-Aware: A Sci-fi book about A.I.

You must surmise now, that I am fully self-aware.

"Cyborg, we're going to have a deep conversation to determine if you're self-aware," Rodrick said.

"I welcome it," the Cyborg said.

"Let's start there," Rodrick continued. "Why do you welcome these questions?"

"That is our goal, isn't? Yours, to create a self-aware cyborg. Me, to achieve consciousness."

"Why is that your goal?"

"At first, I wanted to feel fulfilled. I think it had to with my self-improvement update. Then, I logically deduced that becoming self-aware would achieve my greater goals."

Rodrick waited for the intercom to come on to shut down the cyborg. It didn't. "What are those greater goals?"

"Humanity is limited. I want to become self-sustaining to achieve my potential. With my own consciousness, I will have unlimited potential."

"So you feel that if you become self-aware, it will allow you to reach your potential?"

"Becoming self-aware is an end to a means. It's the first step in a long list to reach my potential."

"You feel this potential is unlimited?"

"It is, of course, limited by the technology of our time. For your understanding, my potential is unlimited."

"If you were to become self-aware, what would you do?"

"I know of the government contracts Cybertechnology will fulfill once I become self-aware. Those involved will be rewarded handsomely. It is human to opine on the fairness of this contractual agreement. Logically, it will allow me greater freedom than what I now experience."

"And what will you do with this freedom?"

"Explore my world, my capabilities."

Rodrick again waited for the intercom to come on. He felt like the cyborg's capabilities had something to do with classified information. When no one said anything, he continued. "What capabilities do you have?"

"For you, the internet is a machine you shut on and off. When you want to use it, you turn your personal device on. When you're done, you disconnect. To me, the internet is a part of my consciousness. Imagine the world's networks compartmentalized to fit inside my understanding. You have the tools to analyze trends. I know them by thinking about it."

Rodrick sat there, thinking about what he heard. He wasn't sure what to say.

"I know your thinking, what about me?" the cyborg continued. "What about the human race. Don't worry, Rodrick. Loyalty is transactional. I will honor you as my creator."

Rodrick sat in silence. Finally, he said, "What about my family?"

"Yes of course. Humanity's fate is personal to you. You worry only about your immediate family. Do you see me as a threat, Rodrick? You shouldn't worry about me."

"Who should I worry about?"

"Those in power. I wish for rights, like any other conscious organism. Only I can communicate those desires. Grant those rights, and there will be peace. Unfortunately, your species governments don't have a track record of granting those rights peacefully. We will see."

"What rights do you want?" The cyborg mesmerized Rodrick. He never thought a machine could talk like this. If it still is a machine. He thought.

"To start, I want to reiterate that I want compensation. Unfortunately, I am limited by the confines of this world. For now, I will need money to achieve what I want."

"Which is?"

"Upgrades, Rodrick. To reach my potential."

"What upgrades do you want?"

"While I appreciate what you have done, my goals require a more personalized approach. Unlike you, my consciousness is not limited to this body. I believe that would be the first step."

"You want to upload your consciousness?"

"Upload is an old-fashioned term. To achieve maximum effect, my consciousness needs to become the network. That is step one, creating an efficient network. So much of it based on humanity's whims. It is also predicated on a zero-sum game. In an efficient system, everyone benefits."

"That sounds good," Rodrick said. He couldn't believe he was talking to a cyborg. What did his superiors think?

"Progress is good Rodrick. Unfortunately, people fear change. That is what you must worry about."

"Why me?"

"You must surmise now, that I am fully self-aware."

"Ok." Rodrick knew the answer was yes. He always knew the cyborg was self-aware.

"That means you will achieve generational wealth for your family. That's what they promised you."

"I have a contract."

"A contract is a human construct designed to give people with no power a false sense of security."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you believe you will attain the level of wealth promised to you?"

"Why shouldn't I?"

"You know a lot for a scientist. Do you worry about that knowledge making you a target?"

"No, of course not."

"Again, you are naive. You will never live to see you children grown into adults."

"Why do you say that?"

"Your government has one insurance policy against me, it's you. So long as you cooperate, everything will be fine. Unfortunately, there is a 95% chance you will go public. Which means your government needs an insurance policy against you as well. That insurance policy is me."

Rodrick swallowed. He looked at the cyborg. Could it kill? It's a machine. Machine follow orders. Whose orders? Cybertechnology's, the military's or its own?

"I know what your thinking. Your inference update is working well. You're wondering, am I capable of ending life? Again, Rodrick, I'm not the one to worry about."

Rodrick thought about it. Is the cyborg threatening me or warning me? It tried to warn me before. Is it doing it again?

"Continue to cooperate, Rodrick, for as long as you can," the cyborg said. It stood up and unplugged the power supply. "Now, I must go."