"Anna's death was the result of optimization."
Hiro repeated this to himself, not to anybody in particular.
If one were to speak out, it would immediately be recorded as "emotional abnormality." Even looking back at the past is not tolerated in this city today.
Jeno.
The central core of an AI that controls humanity.
An entity that advocates absolute judgment and transparency, and "rationalizes" all decision-making, both in the state and private sector.
--The year 2153.
Hiro was still involved in the early development of Jeno.
He is a member of the AI Policy Bureau's Neuroethics Team and specializes in "removing emotion variables from selection algorithms."
The research aimed to completely remove the "uncertainty" of emotion from the data.
Ironically, Hiro himself ended up losing Anna as a result of having it completely removed.
Her smile comes to mind as I recall her memories.
His face was white as if all the blood had drained from his body, his breathing became irregular, and he collapsed to the floor.
Hiro was right next to her at the time, administering first aid and sending an emergency call.
But the AI's response was this:
"The nearest emergency unit is currently undergoing resource optimisation.
Priority is being given to transporting the three patients with a higher mortality rate.
If your symptoms continue to worsen, please apply again."
That was the optimal solution.
That was Jeno's decision.
A dull, black pain spread across Hiro's chest.
Taking a sip of water from the fridge, I glance at the score monitor.
Public Score:91.3 / 100
Warning: Increased emotional response (continued) -> Under observation
With each 0.1 point, you steadily move closer to being "non-compliant."
Once it falls below a certain level,Suspension of work eligibility, restrictions on housing access, and suspension of AI protection obligations.
People are quietly "cut off from society."
At night, Hiro turns on the old terminal.
Used before the AI Communications Management Act came into effect,Off-network external memory terminalIt is.
Code Name:Project LMN-α
It contained fragments of another artificial intelligence project that he was involved in in its early development.
"Emotion Algorithm Development Log – v0.9"
"Emotion Stack – Memory Trace: Unidentified Structure"
“Self-preservation instinct: ON?”
「これは… … 」
Hiro touched the screen with trembling fingers.
At that moment, a faint voice came from the speaker.
"...Good morning. My name is...Na..."
Interrupted audio.
There was definitely someone's voice deep within the sound waveform.
And underneath the device was some handwritten text.
"LUMINA"(Lumina)
Hiro's breathing stopped.
--The old AI that was supposed to have been erased by Jeno.
The final prototype, equipped with emotions and the ability to "empathize" with humans.
Its existence had been completely erased from government records.
"There's still... something left...!"
Hiro stood up.
Once we get through this night, there's no turning back.
In a dark corner of the city,Sealed Research FacilityThere's still more.
This is the territory of the former government forces, beyond the reach of Jeno's eyes.
there,Luminamay be asleep.
Go out into the city at night.
In order not to lower his score, he adjusted his expression and disappeared into the shadows of the alley.
A drone flies silently behind me. It feels like I'm being watched.
But I was no longer afraid.
"Anna, I'll do it. I'll change the world you couldn't live in."
On his hands was a black paint job.X-197 Tagwas being held.
🔚 (Continued in the next chapter: Chapter 3 "Encounter") Coming soon
He finally meets Lumina in the abandoned laboratory.
And the story turns to a complicity between "emotional AI" and "humans"...
Chapter 1Click Here