The unlimited potential of offenders is limited by their environment.
UK Prime minister John Tilson
The denied limits of some will always lead to the imposing of limits by others
Tota A.I director Richard Newel
CONTENTS
1. Introduction - platforms and reaction games
2. Detection
3. Communication
4. Incapacitation
5. Victims of crime / customers
6. Co-operation / "Robot culture"
7. The jesus debate
8. Promotion
9. The limits debate
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION - PLATFORMS AND REACTION GAMES
The "platform" is a computerized system that other developers can add both hardware devices and software applications to for particular purposes.
Through real world experiences the robot agent gets a much more subtle relationship with people and also with other machines.. this all adds to a much better system for whatever application area they are needed for..from security to…space exploration.
Tota A.I director Richard Newel
My documentary film crew were allowed four months access to different development stages of the first high end a.i security robots to be used in England. They had already been used very successfully in Japan and the United states.
This book is a combination of transcripts of the agents demonstrations footage, interviews with the designer, customers and critics aswell as my personal memories of the time I spent around the project
The first thing that struck me when I actually saw the demonstrations, which were outside a lot of the time, was how much it reminded me of formula one or car magazine TV programs. So, myself and the director decided to shoot these parts in that style, to lightly satirise the, at times, quite odd combination of the "beauty" of these machines with their incredibly dangerous capabilities.
We used the same type of camera angles that are used for this kind of "iconic" filming, combining technical information voiceovers, POVs, worms eye views, revolving floor cameras, chest and shoulder cameras, aerial cameras, stuttered shots, slow motion shots, looped excerpts, fragments, stopped edits combined with "cool" turntablism electronic or classical music exactly timed to each frame.
For example, "movie soundtrack" type "dramatic" classical or ambient music for the build ups or hard electronic music / loud drum tracks for the "action". We also managed to get amazing angles from the agents in relation to the square training areas which framed the machines dimensional aesthetics, making quite captivating combined images.
Before each agent demonstration we put information relating to location, time and the point of the experiment on the screen.
The directors transcript of the introduction demonstration.
Timer running. 00.00.00 - 09.56.07 minutes
August 26th
Agents early post platform development stage.
Tracking efficiency pre-3rd track and lock camera system installation.
A reaction game designed to test and heighten response speeds against 3 land and air bourne drones. Each drone is trying to gain contact with the agent thereby mimicking intruders trying to attack an homeowner. (end of screen type except timer running)
Autechre Altichyre 00.00.00 - 00.01.44 fades in during establishing shot of training area (this seemed to perfectly capture "future now" in pre-edit
Aerial view of training area – Large square blueprint outline on the concrete floor, with dotted x and smaller squares through the middle.
Digital projection points on each corner
View of safety check staff finishing the set up of safety equipment are looking on
First view of agent - Over the human level shoulder of an A.N 5 agent as it stands outside the grid
Establishing shot - showing the agent has dark purple casing panels covering parts of its head, its triangular chest, forearms and legs while showing the grey metal machinery underneath
View slowly circles the agent as it turns.
View of Safety people looking on
Worms eye - Again, for "iconic" view , combined with view of sky behind the agent as it has made its way into the grid (emphasizing the reality of the sunlight with the sense of un-reality of the agent)
Aerial view - 3 medium sized surveillance drones slowly moving from the outer tarmac to the outer of the grid - the agent seems oblivious, looking up, to the sky
Voiceover – tech info about height
Voiceover – tech info about weight, circumference of arms etc
Floor level view of drones moving in
Agent, looking to sky, head turns side to side.
Voiceover – tech info about battery power supply
View from cctv camera embedded into agent shoulder shows one of the drones.
View circles the agent as it raises it arms to aim at the drones
Camera shows close up of 3 weapons on each arm and laser tracking tech
Voiceover – tech info about the digital square boundaries programmed around blueprint and also weapons info
Camera shows view from underneath of chest
Voiceover - Tech info on the agents advanced technology anti ballistic ultra lightweight composite body panels
View of agents "eyes"
Voiceover – tech info about the agents vision, range cameras for surveillance tracking and the video call i.d system for watching in realtime .
Audio of range cameras focusing
Voiceover- The drones aims: They are mimicking intruders trying to stab or immobilize an agent or householder. Their aim is to make contact with the agent before the agent can stop them.
Drones move into the grid.
View of the agent suddenly seeming more alert, its view aiming in the general area of the 3 drones, practicing arm targeting .
Voiceover – more tech info about the digital blueprints boundaries
Aerial view of drones circling closer on the ground
Close up of power pack on agents back
Audio of the sound of the shoulder motors
View of the 3 drones scattering (Electronica harder from here-drums etc)
Voiceover – tech info about drones
The agent zigzags its arms rapidly re-setting its aim as the drones spin round
Shot of it moving incredibly fast now.
Camera shots from 15 feet away by the edge of the tarmac
More shots from cctv on shoulder showing drone 2
Voiceover – tech info on agents speed
Pov shots from drones trying to confuse the agent.
View from between agents arm and chest shows drone 3 go past
Voiceover – tech info about joint motors speed
Aerial view showing drones circling and moving in
Voiceover – tech description of lights capabilities for night
Close up of agents eyes and side of head
Pov over shoulder of drone 3
Shot of agent desperately trying to lock on it
Pov between agents legs as drone 3 speeds past again
Voiceover – tech info about testing degrees of freedom
Aerial view of drones getting closer
Over shoulder pov view of drones closing in
Shot of the drones swapping from land-airbourne and back positions
Shot of agents face
Floor camera shot of drone 3 much closer
Over shoulder view of agents extended arms following drone 3
Agents face following
Agents cctv capturing drone 3
Aerial view of drone 3 nearer agent
Floorshot of drone 3
Pov of agent spinning to get shot- drone 3 hit
Voiceover about drone 3 hit
Drone 3 explodes
Worms eye view of other 2 drones circling in much faster
Pov over agents shoulder
Agents view follows other 2 drones
Floorshot showing other 2 drones closing in
15 feet away view of drone 1 getting closer
Pov from agent
Agent trying to lock
Pov from drone 1 much closer
Agent seems to stop its movement
Drone 1 pov
15 foot away from agent
Training stops
Safety people move onto the tarmac
Voiceover – about maintenance peoples re-adjustments
Maintenance people take apart agent
Clipboards at hand, they adjust and re-adjust
All seem satisfactory
Voiceover - agent seeming satisfactory now
The 2 drones re-start
Aerial view - agent in middle of the grid
Drones again move in aerially
Agents power pack flickering
Aerial circling view of agent
Pov of agents extended arms trying to lock on drone 2
Floorshots
Agent trying and nearly locking on both, causing drones to back slightly off "nervously"
Aerial shot of the 3 of them inside the inner grid
Floor pov from drone 1 getting closer again
Agent seems to be near to lock, turning left and right
Fast cut shots of agent and drones - a collision is near
Collision is closer, closer- Drone 1 hits agent
Agent looks down at drone 1
Training stops again
Voiceover – about 2nd maintenance adjustments
As the agent is repaired again. Agent profile tech shots shown
(all "iconic" type camera angles with the quieter part of the music playing)
As the shots are shown the voiceover gives more specs, tech info about ease of casing removal and battery checks
Front chest shot
Worms eye looking up
From the back view, capturing aesthetic beauty of agents design
Pov over shoulder
Aerial view in middle of grids centrepoint marker
From floor view again
From floor view close up of achille motors
View between chest panel and thin steel arm
10 foot away shot, the agent is left alone by the maintenance men
The 1 remaining drone starts up slowly again
Same pov type shots, cut into shots of shaky camera views of the agent still desperately trying to lock onto the remaining drones
Voiceover – about how this went on all afternoon, until someone decided to stop for the day
music fades out
End of directors introduction transcript
Later in the afternoon, inside the onsite lab i got a chance to discuss the demonstration with Tota's head designer. Richard Newel, an English scientist, who has been a pioneer in AI for the past 30 years.
Interviewer
Can you explain what we were seeing there? the agent lost?
Designer
Yes, this was a reaction game, part of setting the agent as early level post "platform"… and also putting on a bit of an introductory demonstration for you..a show ...the reason the agent "lost" is because this one is at such an early stage that the drones can outsmart it …that doesn't last long ..the agents soon learn to turn the tables on them
Interviewer
Why are drones used and not people? obviously its an different kind of movement.
Designer
We use both for training.. just today its drones. although drones move differently they're still very effective for reaction experiments.
Interviewer
Can you explain the term "platform" in relation to these ai?
Designer
The robot or agent isn't programmed. Ai used to focus on disembodied intelligence, just computation..information, no sensory input., expert systems where rules are programmed in.
For a longtime now agents have learnt for themselves.
Through a combination of sensory motors, pattern recognition software you get an adaptive intelligence like ours. .like our intelligences it evolves and responds to its environment.
As a species we improved to a basic standard like we have today...to speak, move our limbs..respond to everyday events…the same applies to these agents where they get to a level, like your average human …
(We were shown video of an agent performing basic tasks)
but even at this level they are much more efficient, the combined speed and reflex systems are much faster than a human and that makes it very effective for multiple post platform uses for society… including security.
That's what's known as a "platform" in this context
Interviewer
Fascinating
Designer
The combined sensors and actuators feed into the agents "brain" or computer and it can then learn and make its own decisions, rather than be programmed.
(We were shown a short video explaining how sensors work, use of light, heat etc and how tech mimics biology, cells as "mechanics" DNA as information)
Interviewer
What level of autonomy does that give it?
Designer
They have control over what they say, their batteries,
(again we were shown footage of an agent using its own power supply)
They have restricted control over their actions.
Interviewer
How restricted?
Designer
Restricted in respects of being incapable of harming the families they are there to protect.
Interviewer
All that is combined for surveillance?
Designer
Yes, these platforms, as computerised system that other developers can add both hardware devices and software applications to for particular purposes ..are ideal for surveillance and security.
Interviewer
What interested you to get involved in a surveillance project?
Designer
Surveillance held no particular interest. I'm just interested in application areas for ai, this is just one of many of the latest, to witness so many technologies coming together, battery technology, motors for joints, the correct algorithms for environmental responses and speech..so many areas together, is just amazing.
From where it started to reach this level is very rewarding and there's still so much further they can go.
Interviewer
How?
Designer
Through these different application areas we get extended cognitive development, real world "experience"
With this, we can get much closer to evolving human-like intelligence in the agents.
Interviewer
how?
Designer
Through real world experiences it gets a much more subtle relationship with people and also with other machines.. this all adds to a much better system for whatever application area they are needed for..from security to…space exploration.
There's many areas of a.i im trying to bring to public attention which contribute so much to society..i want this to be more the focus point than the stuff that's usually associated with a.i.
CHAPTER 2
DETECTION
It was the efforts to stay ahead of terrorism that really pushed forward the evolution of detection software
Tota A.I director Richard Newel
The next day we were invited to a demonstration of the agents detection software
Designer
Post platform, we add whatever hardware or software necessary.
For surveillance one of these is advanced facial recognition software.
Interestingly, it is actually the efforts to stay ahead of terrorism that really pushed forward the evolution of detection software.
Interviewer
How?
(We were shown video of detection softwares use in airports etc)
Designer
Its been in use for many years now in hotels, airports and that sort of thing using facial recognition software that recognises specific people, this is it at its next stage
Designer
The problem many thought wed never solve, was the subtlety of human facial expressions and obviously that is one of the most important parts of security..to recognize and react correctly to any situation as well as to someone's identity, one without the other is useless obviously.
(We were shown video explaining human facial expressions on the lab computer while the conversation continued)
Designer
This is solved partly by loading in every possible human facial response, millions of pieces of information and correctly "rewarding" or having correct consequences to the correct responses..again very similar to our own evolution where to not recognise another persons motives would have survival consequences… even if the persons face is covered the face recognition algorithms will identify someone from body positioning or shape etc….please do not ask what the "rewards" are as that would obviously compromise security.
Interviewer
You mentioned language evolution earlier?
Designer
Yes, to me this is one of the most interesting parts really
Interviewer
In what way?
Designer
We have spent many years researching the evolution of human language and applying what we have found to many different areas of science. So i am trying to bring these pre-platform aspects into the public eye as much as the, more spectacular post platform uses.
CHAPTER 3
COMMUNICATION
Rather than program in language, the agent evolves its own using audio syllables. As im sure you all know from speaking and writing, a syllable is a unit of organization for a sequence of speech sounds.
These syllables eventually combine to make their own words and eventually their own language.
While studying this we can investigate phylogenic language trees, hierarchical structure, emergent grammar structures, cognitive development problems and many other fascinating areas.
Tota A.I director Richard Newel
A week later we were invited to an university lecture so we could get a first hand experience of an agents capabilities from an communication demonstration. The designer was on the stage addressing the crowd in front of an black and white line art display and a large display screen.
A film played to explain how A.I is used in the study of the evolution of human language.
First shown was an section with voiceover explaining:
The evolution of language - genetic or cultural causes
(We were shown a short video)
The genetic definition
(We were shown a short video on the genetic causes of behaviour)
The cultural definition - examples of orcas culture
( A short video was shown on basic cultural causes of behaviour)
Cultural definition – non human primates culture
(Again a short demo video of killer whales etc)
Cultural definition in human primates
(The video was stopped here and the designer spoke to the audience).
Designer
To mimic the adaptive intelligence of our own species it's important to evolve language from an very simple start.
So, rather than program in language the agent evolves its own language using audio syllables.
As I'm sure you all know from speaking and writing everyday, a syllable is a unit of organization for a sequence of speech sounds
Video was then shown of demonstrations of very early stages of agents language development using basic syllables.
Agent
Aah , leh, rul
Designer
As you can see these are short sporadic syllables in no pattern…and..this doesn't always go in the direction we hope
( a "humorous" video of agents early development where syllables "lock" was then shown)
Agent
lehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…..hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh….hhhaaahh…hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…..hhhhhhhhhhhrehhhhhhhhhhhhh….hhh…..hh…h….rrrruuuulllllllll…uuuu…lllllllllllllllllllll
Designer
There are thousands of potential combinations. ..but…eventually…
Agent
Ahhhhhh…..teeemmmmmmmmmmmmm
Designer
These syllables eventually combine to make their own words and eventually language develops
Agent
Ehhhhhhdemmmmmmmmmmmiiiiiiiiii
Ehdemmi
Agent
Edemi tio det
(multiple language combinations were shown, which seemed to be appreciated by the audience)
Designer
Their own language, which can then be used for instructing each other, co-operating as they become more comfortable with their body …all sorts of practical uses….and while studying this we can investigate:
Phylogenic language trees, hierarchical structures
(Again, a short demo video was shown)
Designer
Aswell as emergent grammar structures
All these sort of areas
(short demo video)
Designer
We can look at biological comparisons of language as an evolving adaptive system.
This is then used in studies of cognitive disabilities, many many different uses. (short video on cognitive language disorders)
For many people at the lecture this was not the most interesting thing about this project. Shortly into a Q & A session, members of the audience, who it has to be said, seemed to be part of a directed attack, asked questions about using a.i for home security
Audience member 1.
Thank you for a great talk. er..i wanted to ask..in light of the amazing things which you said a.i has contributed are you disappointed in it being used for surveillance?
Designer
I think i would find it hard to see this project as a disappointment.
Audience member 1
I mean in the sense of where its come from..to be used for surveillance seems an anti-climax?
Designer
Not at all. this is just one of the many application areas a.i is being used for and i feel its an very useful one. Next question? please, try to be slightly more specific..and more on a.i's contributions please
Audience member2
I think what was meant specifically is in many studies deterrent has been unsuccessful for preventing crime? so it seems odd to see such amazing technological potential wasted on it ..it seems..a backward step?
Designer
Ok, i feel there's a serious misunderstanding of the project .for a start, its not an deterrent. it is for incapacitating.
Audience member3
You spoke of its evolution?
Designer
Yes
Audience member3
Did you foresee you're a.i ...evolving into this?
Designer
Haha..yes..very good…next question?
Later, in the early evening I got a chance to speak backstage to Richard again.
Interviewer
The scientific contributions you talked of? the agents "personalities" or "accumulated experiences" were originally used for language experiments "online" then you "download" them into whatever robot body is needed?
Designer
Yes..
Interviewer
Couldn't just as much be learnt from the online experiments?
Designer
No. In realworld experiments there are "unforseen" situations..and we must understand how an agent reacts with those and how they respond obviously effects their cognitive development..so its a much more human like and effective...also, aswell as the scientific contributions the agents have an use and to be of use in the realworld..means the correct responses to the realworld. in other words they gain more from realworld..their error rate is much lower than a humans too.
Interviewer
Your applying of ai to home security divides the scientific community?
Designer
And? what doesn't? haha..
Sorry.
I think its more an misunderstanding. Over focusing on one aspect of the agents which distorts their perspective.
Many object through pure dogmatic politics and will not see the logic of the project… .
Once you understand the project its hard to see the objections.
CHAPTER4
INCAPACITATION
You would trust an robot to perform surgery but not security work?
Tota A.I director Richard Newel
Directors transcript of the incapacitation demonstration
Agents later development stage
Tracking efficiency post 3rd track and lock camera installation
Training area.
September 16th
Timer running: 00.00.00 – 13.30.23 minutes
(end of screen type apart from timer running)
Autechre Recks 00.00.00 – 00.06.23 on fades in ( "Hardness" worked well in pre-edits)
View of front / chest of an black A.N. 117 humanoid agent
View-10 foot away on tarmac / grid
(Again aiming for "iconic" angles)
Voiceover – about understanding peoples anxieties when you see the agents security capabilities up close.
Close up chest panel
Voiceover - Tech info for A.N.17 explaining that this agents specifications are higher than the previous agents.
Floor shot
Voiceover – explaining it has much more experience of real world interaction
View of agents chest
Voiceover - Tech info about casings, joints etc
Close up of lights on each of agents arms
Close up of speakers on shoulders
Floorshot of agent standing on grids painted line
Three drones come onto the training area.
Voiceover -Tech info on potential reflex speed
Agents tracking system pinpoints drones
Voiceover – explaining, the main difference with this one is experience, the third cameras for precision targeting and the agents abilities to protect itself against much higher tech drones
Camera zooms in to get full shot of agent readying itself,
Agent looking at its arms / weapons
Distant view from outside tarmac
Camera circles agent
Voiceover-Tech info about combination of this and its computation
Pov over agents shoulder
Voiceover – About the chance to see the amount this improves the agents effectiveness
Agent re-sets targeting
Agent sporadically targeting each of the 3 drones
Distant view of agent tracking drones
Aerial view of drones moving round agent
Front and back
Suspension
Close up of vision processors
From floor angles...blue skies above
Drone comes close before the game starts-weapons rise from its sides
View of the agent reflected in the body of the drone
Floor angle of agent
Drone pov up at agent
Shot of drones moving out to their positions on the outside of the grid
Drones hover up and down
Aerial view of drones circling in
Voiceover – about elevated drone effectiveness in this demonstration
First crosshair view from pov of agent - slightly above drone 3
Voiceover – about how it should be much higher accuracy with 3rd cameras track and lock
Pov from agents view with both arms extended
Agent trying to lock on drones
View of it twisting round trying to lock on drone 3 but also feinting to warn off others
Voiceover – about how this agent already seems much more in control
Pov under drone 1 as it passes
Drone in cctv on agents shoulder
Aerial view of drone 3 swerving to avoid agents lock
Crosshair just above drone 3
Very near contact
Povs from agent and drone 3
Shot from Crosshair almost on drone 3
Shot of Drone 3 moving at incredible speed to avoid
Shot of crosshair locks
Voiceover - drone 3 hit already
Shot of agents hits on drone 3
Pov from agent of drone 3 spinning on the spot
Pov from drone as it spins out & explodes
2nd hard electronic music played. Eprom Samurai.
Voiceover – about how getting lock seems much quicker with this agent
Aerial view of drone 1 and 2 as they move in between each other snake like, firing at the agent
View of all blocked by the agent
Drone 1 splits right at last moment
Splits off to the right and heads slightly further out and behind agent
Crosshair slightly off target on drone 2
Drone 2 continues snaking inwards firing
Crosshair closing
Povs from agent and drone 2
Aerial view of gent with drone 2 almost gaining contact
View of drone 1 behind it and now speeding straight towards the agent
Povs and crosshair view
Crosshair almost on
Almost on
Almost on
Crosshair on
Agent hits drone 2
Voiceover - Drone 2 hit too
Drone 2 spins out of control
Pov from agent and drone 2
Slightly distant view showing drone 2 spinning out
Floorcam as drone 1 goes past
Drone 1 heading straight towards agent - Seems almost about to contact
Pov and aerial from drone 1 closing in towards back of agent firing
Pov from drone 1 very close to back of agent
Pov shows agent make 180% spin of its torso
Crosshair tiring to lock and Pov from agent of drone 1
Crosshair on
Drone 1 hit, Drone 1 spins out & explodes
Voiceover - how It seems the agent was setting the drone up
as it later showed it had it locked on target as the 2 drones
closed in together
Maintenance and safety people move onto the grid, checking the agent, the mood seems victorious.
Voiceover – about how when this state of the art tracking system is combined with 3 incapacitating weapons on each arm that controversy is never far away
Music fades out
Voiceover about weapon 1
View of a thin silver barrel
View of small blue type underneath barrel on agents arm inside
Outline of thin painted on lines
Voiceover about weapon 2
Similar camera angles
Voiceover about weapon 3
View of an warning sign on its arm
Close up of back up 3rd weapons nozzle
Demonstration of weapon 1 incapacitating a volunteer
Demonstration of weapon 2 incapacitating a volunteer
Demonstration of weapon 3 incapacitating a volunteer
The next time i managed to catch up with Richard was at his next university lecture, we met in the café before. Again, he was the usual combination of being pleasant but determined to defend the project
Interviewer
Can you understand the public anxiety about these agents weapons?
Designer
That's not what we've found. The error rate of these agents is much lower than a human and any intelligent person wont allow human bias to prejudice their opinion.
Interviewer
What is the legality of the agents?
Designer
Well, despite their limited autonomy, they are not conscious, so they're not regarded, legally, as individuals, so any legal responsibility is with the company, which i must say, despite the big business cliche has been very supportive.
Later in the day. Lecture and Q and A.
Audience member
Has the connection with Tota affected any choices you've had to make regarding the agents?
Designer
No, i dont think it has but i do know without its support this project would have taken 10 times as long..i'm sorry if people dont want to hear that but its true.
Audience member
Seeing as a human can do the job what's their point?
Designer
A human cannot do the job to the same standard by any stretch of the imagination.
An agents speed, reflexes and onboard links make it much better. What you suggest is just incorrect, it makes no sense. The fallibility rate is much lower with an agent than an human.
Why would people be buying them?
Audience member 2
Indulgence?
Designer
Hmm i think people take their safety a bit more serious than that dont you? Is that what your saying?
You'd prefer your families safety to an human with an higher margin of error?
How does that make sense? That is human bias.
If you ever need surgery, will you say..no no i dont want that robot aiding my surgery and giving me an much higher percentage chance of survival?
or ..ha ha..its ok for robots to do space exploration..the work of an astronaut...but not an ..security guard! ohh no!
The audience laughter seemed to show this lecture was going better than the last one for Richard.
Audience member 3
I'm afraid I'm going to expand on the last question...er.. did you imagine a.i would evolve from something so productive to something so destructive? ethically, is it something your comfortable with?
Designer
Im not uncomfortable at all. I am extremely pleased with where the agents have come from and where they are at this stage and where they are going. Why is protecting people without using lethal force ethically wrong?
Audience member 3
The use of ..
Designer
Can i ask you a question? what is a family supposed to do, for an example, when they are violently burgled multiple times? They cant move because no one will buy…the police cant catch the criminal to rehabilitate them…
Audience member 3
In the longterm rehabilitation has been shown to be more effective..
Designer
On its own? that's incorrect…but until the rehabilitation takes place? which sometimes can take years yes? What happens until rehabilitation is complete?
(Audience member silence)
Designer
The police? at this stage of history? You'd be lucky if they turned up that week right?
Haha sorry I'm kidding!. anyway the police usually turn up usually after a burglary right?
Audience member
Yes
Designer
So you think a family should have to live through that time after time?
Audience member
No
Designer
So what should they do? Its EASY for you to sit here in a safe university and judge these people who have been left with no support but WHAT should they do until a criminal is rehabilitated?
The audience member did not respond
After his lecture had finished I spoke to Richard again backstage later that evening.
Interviewer
Do you get emotionally involved?
Designer
No, i try to stay objective but its hard to listen to people attack an idea when they have no respect for someone elses experiences..so..yes..i stand by that and will defend the project. i also think victims should be given more of a voice.
Interviewer
Is some aspect of "because we can ..?" about this a.i project?
Designer
In some cases yes but not in this project, i dont think so, there is a need for this ...and people forming opinions on surveillance and security applications should perhaps at the very least..speak to people who feel they need them?.
CHAPTER 5
VICTIMS OF CRIME / CUSTOMERS
The unlimited potential of offenders is limited by their environment.
UK Prime minister
Is that what our society is now?
A rehab first society?
Where individuals safety comes second to criminal rehabilitation?
A.I security system agent customer
Tota, as part of a p.r campaign, had started to hire or "donate" out agents to people for short periods of time who cant afford to buy.
One customer is the neighbour of a family that had been in the headlines over the past months before our visit because a mother and son were harrassed so badly by local youths they committed joint suicide by jumping from a local bridge. Here i met David Turner, a 42 year old graphic designer father of one,
Interviewer
Can you explain your experiences please and why you feel you need to go to, what many would consider, the extreme position of needing an a.i based security system?
David
It started out as very trivial stuff a few years ago. The boy next door had a learning difficulty and a couple of teens in the next but one street started to name call. It stopped for a few weeks. er..then it started up again ..so i had ..words..with them..and recieved a load of abuse .. next thing was a few weeks after that they started appearing outside the house..shouting abuse and kicking the neighbours wall and bins. I know its only teens but..there were 7 or 8 this time and they were really hostile..so..id be lying if i said i wasn't slightly scared. its was only her and her son .er..so i rang the police.
Interviewer
What happened then?
David
They arrived 4 hours later, by which time they'd gone. From then on this went on and on for about a year..sometimes police were quicker..20 minutes..but they'd just chat to them..
Interviewer
How did that feel?
David
Incredibly stressful. The thing was, her son used to look out of his window and see them shouting and smashing things outside.
Interviewer
How did that affect him?
David
It had a terrible effect. he started to get nervous conditions and panic attacks..when they were outside..he'd hide in the hall by the radiator just screaming and rocking.
Interviewer
How did the police respond after the 1st time?
David
In all we contacted them 27 times and got 14 responses. Nothing concrete was ever done. Either they took too long to come out or passed it on to other agencies.
Interviewer
How did you feel then?
David
Exasperated...absolutely ..exhausted.. We felt we were taking on the police and system aswell as the yobs.
Davids home, later that night, in the front bedroom.
Interviewer
What happened after a year?
(David showed us the view from the bedroom window where the teens had congregated)
David
They escalated their harasment, bike tyres chucked in the garden. porn pictures...eggs at windows..paint...meanwhile the screaming abuse continued ..calling her son evil..a spastic...effin dirt...eff this eff that..i was finding it extremely hard...then they rammed the front window with a bike..it just got unbelievable..then it stopped for about 2 weeks..then...sorry
(David explained he was quite exhausted at this point of the interview)
Sorry…they …were burgled for the first time.
Interviewer
What was the police response to that?
David
They were ….nice ..but..i have to be honest..ineffective..after the first times..they seemed to lose interest...because they couldn't catch them...afterwards i was burgled too ..so we both set up cctv...this captured some of them but they wore hoods so they couldn't be identified
Interviewer
How long did this go on?
David
For the last year and a half….then…well …you know where it ended..with a mother and son's suicide.
.ill show you the cctv.
(We were shown cctv video showing 2 young looking men in grey tracksuits with hoods up climbing through a window and carrying stuff out, during the burglary serious acts of vandalism take place)
We took a break for a while but later that night in the family front room I made us a cup of tea and david wanted to continue the interview.
Interviewer
Were the burglaries what made you decide to use an a.i security system?
David
Mainly, the last few burglaries were bad because i disturbed them and was badly injured... which …really shook me up.
Interviewer
Lets take a break
(Later that night david needed some things from the shop so myself and my cameraman went for him, as it was a chance to see the area at night aswel which was when david said most events happened.
Not that long after leaving the house, we were involved in some hostility from youths by the local shop…
We were whistled at like dog calls in an attempt, it seemed to "bait" us and then asked "who the fuck do you think you are?", told "cunts cant use that shop" and to "get the fuck out of our area you little bitches"
Shortly youths congregated outside davids house)
When we got back inside the house, david agreed to carry on the interview.
David
THATS what i have to live through. No, home a.i doesn't help outside but the anti social behavior drones did ..but then this government banned them..and looks on its way to banning home a.i in the near future..if you'd had a drone with you that wouldn't have happened to you would it? what if you'd had a child with you?
( David turned the tv channel over to 24 hour news).
Look, here we go.
(There was an edited piece on prime minister bilsons speech at party conference)
Prime minister
My friends. it has been a hard year has it not? but i know we are strong enough to weather the storm.
News anchor
The prime minister addressed his critics on the economy
Prime minister
Did they not say..we werent the party of the economy? but after 3 years of economic growth...what do they say now?
On employment?
Unemployment at its lowest in 10 years?
On law & order?
David
Here we go
Prime minister
Yes, there have been criticisms of unlimited limited but its the right crime rehabilitation program..
We know that crime is a response! a response to unfulfilled potential! frustration! a response to feeling alienated … victimised.
David
Victimized ..? Has he got them shouting outside his window?
Prime minister
The unlimited potential of offenders is limited by their environment ..so we must change that environment ..it might be simple.. but its also..true.
Party. I will make it happen.
David
Mainly i feel just..failed…..the system, not the police as much..their hindered.. council, government...id just love to see the prime minister spend a few nights here or on an estate..wonder how he'd like it?
Prime minister
I do understand peoples fears but this stems from a disproportionate fear of crime..a fear of the fear of crime really.
Im sorry …but i can think of nothing worse than the victim being at the heart of the justice system…. the reduction in police on the beat by 60% makes people understandably anxious but it is time for a new approach.. police on the beat reduces crime by such an negligible amount. We must target the causes, not the consequences.
David
THIS is disproportionate FEAR of crime? How is the victim at the centre of the justice system? great ..police on beat have no effect? tell that to the old lady at the bus stop with yobs kicking ten tons out of it..screaming in her face…just..great.
Later on Richard newell arrived to combine speaking to a customer with another interview.
Interviewer
What's your response to defenders of the prime ministers position? while david's case is upsetting , it is just an individual case..it has to be taken in context..and that some reaction to it is a form of hysteria? a fear of the fear of crime? and the best solution is are social programs before..
Designer
But we don't know that do we? They've been throwing money at social programs for years…and crime keeps going up…
What would happen if they're wrong?
If crime doesn't stem almost solely from social causes? what would happen if a government only responded to crime as if it was?
It would go up wouldn't it? And that's what's happening
It is incredibly stupid to get results and ignore them isn't it?
Will applications like these security agents always be needed?
If people continually treat the wrong thing as the "cause"…?
Will it always happen? Will these people ALWAYS be vulnerable?
Interviewer
But they say your position is hysteria
Designer
And how many claim their position is that of out of touch academics?.
If they are correct why hasn't their program worked? One of his own mps admitted the crime level is 15 times what it was 50 years ago!
Why are critics and a huge amount of the public calling it a rehab 1st society…where rehabilitation of criminals is more important than public safety? Their critics say ..how is 5 years prison for taking say 50 years of life just? 3 months for rape?
Its been said..a society is judged by how it treats its criminals? what about how it treats its victims of crime?
What kind of state allows a woman to be harassed to the point where her only choice is to take herself and her disabled childs life?
No one prosecuted? has a kind of cultural progressive fundamentalism outran the facts of human nature ? studies suggest 10% cause 90% of the crime…
Whats the point in doing everything but incapacitate them and dogmatically trying to rehabilitate them..if it doesn't work? Is this a type of rehab fundamentalism? Are liberals projecting their nature onto people with very different natures than themselves and then cant understand the results of their treatment?
Isn't that a negligent science? What would you call a state that allows that? Denies truth?
David
If i didn't have some hope like these applications ..what could i do?.i feel i have had no real support from government..im alone..no real..co-operation
CHAPTER 6
CO-OPERATION / "ROBOT CULTURE"
If co-operation reduces their error rate and they use less computation..they can organise themselves into better roles.
Is it "robot culture"? In the sense that culture is defined as a system of accumulative behavior patterns which are specific to a group? then, yes
Tota A.I director Richard Newel
Directors co-operation demonstration transcript
Timer 00.00.00 - 07.12.09
September 29th
Later development stage - Co-operation / "robot culture"
Tracking efficiency, reaction time and co-operation against 6 armed land and air drones
(end of type except timer running)
Straight into action shot
Aphex twin Icct HeddraI 00.00.00 – 00.08.03 fades in, dark minimalist classical music ( to capture "war" and fear of potential 'destructive power of the cooperating machines')
Camera pans from left to right of:
3 red E.N. 2.29 humanoid agents trying to target 6 drones circling them
All 3 in frame
Voiceover explaining all are the same model, only difference is experience. Each has a different i.d number painted on their arm
.
Aerial view of all 3 agents
Povs of each looking at each other and back at drones
Distant worms eye shot of the 3
Aerial view again, this time showing the 6 drones coming closer
Voice over - explaining higher spec of the drones
Povs from several of the drones
Voiceover – explaining these agents are final development stage
Pov of agent 2 turning left to right , scanning
Over shoulder views from agents 1 and 3 looking out far left and right
Aerial view shows all 6 drones positioned circling agents
Voiceover – about how with this amount of drones we should see ai put under a different level of pressure (Dark classical music fades louder)
All drone scatter and snake in circle motion towards the agents
Voiceover - explaining the speed of the drones
Over shoulder pov from agent 1 showing 2 drones in shoulder cctv
Over shoulder shot from agent 3 showing 2 drones in shoulder cctv
Agent 2 signals with an nod to agent 1 and speaks in their own language
Voiceover - explaining different generations of a.i technology in competition
Povs from agents and drones
Voiceover - explaining the number of the drones evens up the competition
Epic shots of 3 agents from chests up
Arms extended tracking the 6 drones
Povs from drones
Voiceover - explaining drones moving in
Aerial shot shows drones forming a semi-circle in front of agents, rainbowing back and forward past each other
Sporadically drones leave the rainbow and reverse out as the others continue
Voiceover - explaining the drones are varying their strategies repeatedly to confuse the agents, a new strategy is being tried
Drones stop and speed forward in straight lines
Drones then stop and reverse out
Voiceover - explaining that the viewer is witnessing what has been described as "robot culture"
Voiceover - agents communicating in their own language
Crosshair views are quite off
At both ends of the rainbow formation 1 drone leaves the group
Speeds forward and to the back of the agents
Floorshots and povs capturing speed and sound of drones
Povs of agents 1 and 3 as drones pass
View of the agents seeming in control
Agents 1 and 3 twist their torsos 180 degree's to follow passing drones
Crosshair views right behind drones
Drones stop, reverse and then stop, turn on the spot and speed in towards agents 1 and 3 - using weapons now
For the 1st time an agent seems to lose composure
Voiceover - explaining the other 2 ignoring other agents problems
Agent 1 seems to be stuttering in its movement
Agent 2 makes orders in own language
Povs from agents 1 and 3
Crosshairs from agent 3 seem near on drone 6
Povs of agent and drone
Pov from agent 1 show drone 1 avoiding its aim
Crosshair view clarifies lack of accuracy
Crosshair locks on drone 6
Drone 6 is hit
Drone stops instantly, gives an deactivation sound, it is sturdier than the older drones
Agent 1s pov shows drone 1 very close
Crosshairs cant quite lock
Voiceover – Closer..Closer…Closer
Arial view shows other drones rainbow formation continuing
Agent 1s crosshairs still behind drone 1
Agent pov shows drone almost on it
Agent 2 instructs agent 1 in own language urgently
Crosshair show still not on
Agent 1s pov shows drone almost on it
Agent 2 breaks position and turns to agent 1s direction
Agent 2s crosshair view almost immediately locks on drone1
Agent 2 gets the hit on drone 1,
Drone makes deactivation sound then explodes
Voiceover – about how one agent is falling badly behind and agent 2s control of the situation
Agent 2s change of position sends the rest of the drones into more confident attack
Voiceover comments on this
View of drones spreading out all around
Agent 2 instructs agent 3 in their own language
Agent 1 and 3 pov of drones
Aerial view shows drones now figure 8 and star formations
Snaking in and out and fully around the 3 agents
Voiceover - explains drones now moving at incredible speeds
Faster, Snaking in and out, Faster
Fade in – Aphex twin Girl Boy Song 00.03.10 – 00.04.42, 'victorious' classical music (worked in pre-edit dark, minimalist but "uplifting and victorious" sounding as the agents hits their stride , almost "beautiful")
View of the drones all out attack and how agent 2 or 3 will coordinate their efforts
Povs from all drones
Agent 1 tries to get lock on drone 2 at its side
Agent 3 aims for drone 5 at its side
Drones 3 and 4 seem to be playing games, darting in and out trying to confuse agent 2
Drone 4 makes its way behind the agents
Agents snapping out words in their own language
Povs from drones snaking in, getting closer, firing and being blocked, especially from the back
Agent 2 signals in own language again
Agent 1 moves behind agent 2 with arms extended to fire out at sides
Aerial view
Agent 3 moves behind agent 2 facing towards the back, they now have 360 degree's covered
Drones move in more urgently in response
Povs from agents
Povs from drones
Agents are firing from incredibly varied angles now for about 20 seconds
Agent 3s crosshair locks on drone 4
Drone 4 is hit
Drone 4 gives a weak deactivation sound then explodes
Agent 2 gets lock on
Agent 2 gets lock on
Drone 3 hit
Drone 3 gives out an deactivation noise then like 4 explodes
Voiceover – about how agent 1 again is struggling to get lock on 2 or 5
Pov from drones 2 and 5 as they move in from the sides
Pov from agent 1
Closer and closer
Agent 2 signals agent 3 in their own language
View of both at same times turning 90 degrees in the opposite direction
Crosshairs show almost both lock
Drone povs show very close
Crosshairs lock - agent 3s slightly after agent 2s
Drones 2 and 5 hit – 1 deactivate noise and explosion is heard slightly after the other
Maintenance people move slowly onto the tarmac
Floor shot , agents 2 and 3 are looking down at the drones, View of them looking at each other and then at agent 1
Music fades out
Agent 1 says one word in its "own" language
Agent 1
Dehhta
Co-operation interview at the onsite lab.
Interviewer
Agents aren't used in groups for surveillance are they?
Designer
No
Interviewer
Can you explain the purpose of these group experiments then
Designer
Co-operation experiments are important for an agents preparation. No they wont need to be this fast in average real world security situations but the better the reaction preparation to co-operating the less chance an agent will ever need to "learn" something during an task ,to reduce having to refer to outside resources. Again, If they can cope with the speed of drones..humans will be easier to respond to.
Also, to research the cognitive strategies they apply, through more and more interaction the cognitive development becomes much more subtle and sensitive and we can then investigate the mechanisms behind the evolution of human co-operation for instance and see how that was adapted
Interviewer
What was involved?
Designer
Individual agents are restricted in areas to an extent, so during co-operation experiments we can observe why they would organise themselves together..or why they wouldn't. So, if co-operation reduces their error rate and they use less computation..they can organise themselves into better roles.
Through observing this we can study the emergence of different cultural structures within co-operative situations which again can be applied to anthropology, biology..many different areas of research aswell as improving functioning subtleties.
Interviewer
Why did the 3 agents in that demonstration not divide roles equally?
Designer
That's part of the experiment too. How could two agents that started with exactly the same capacity nevertheless develop a relationship where one appears to sometimes "exploit" or .."lead" the other? The real world introduces multiple random factors that can disturb the balance. What happens here is that, one agent happens to find itself in a better position during an task and the agent will adapt its behaviour to the one aspect of an situation first...and it then accumulates onto that...so then we can investigate why that system to regulates like this.
Interviewer
So there's inequality amongst robots? a robot class system?
Designer
I'm afraid so, even if they start with exactly the same capacity.
Interviewer
What's the conclusion?
Designer
The less successful ..sometimes adapt and improve but many times an agent will just..end. Those that are more 'successful', will be re-uploaded into an agent. Success is determined in terms of their ability to play a bigger role in reproducing the next generation of agents.
Interviewer
What do you say to people who say the potential dangers are too big a gamble?
Designer
I understand that …and its a …reasonable response but its an old fashioned response and something we need to address..and get over..this technology is here to stay, so we need to develop a more mature attitude to it not based on old science fiction .. the idea of robot world domination is ludicrous...insulting really..
Interviewer
The interactive behaviour has been described as robot "culture"?
Designer
In the sense that culture is defined as a system of accumulative behavior patterns which are specific to a group, yes. Through observing how a robot community develop its own culture, ways of viewing the world, and ways of reacting that are specific to them as an group...and each group does do things differently. ..with the combination of their own reflexes, responses and sensory reactions they have their own evolutions.
Interviewer
Again many in the mainstream media have labeled it ...creepy?
Designer
Again, an error. The artificial communication and reactive systems the robots develop might have features comparable to human language obviously but it is very doubtful they will ever be equal to existing human languages. 1000s of years of human experience have shaped that language...
Interviewer
Would you describe the actions within those cultures as similar to the social drama of primate communities for example?
Designer
Similar, yes, as you saw, power plays, group co-operations etc but these are restricted by mechanisms … inputted and specialised. This is partly why i have sympathy with security as an ai project.
Interviewer
In what way?
Designer
Conflicts are REAL and need real solutions. What is needed?...repeated fairer power distributions? a lead power who ensures that no short term needs affect sharing resources?. modern politics seems to avoid these basic problems solutions
Using tools in a.i. they can be looked at with a fresh perspective..but while they are being re-examined something needed to be in place to restrict the consequences of these interactions. I do worry if they are not examined head on.. by burying our heads in the sand and wishing them away...then is that not an dishonest attempt to deal with any problem?
Designer (cont)
Perhaps an example is, the family of the chief of police was being harassed by anti-social behavior similar to what you have seen amongst people waiting to use ai security systems.
The chief of police!
and the response?
After applying the same liberal responses continually recommended over incapacitation that have seen an 40% rise in violent crime...
The CHIEF of police moved house!
Now I'm sorry but couldn't that be an indication of a flaw in a system?
Interviewer
So you are emotionally involved?
Designer
No, its an flaw in a system that infuriates me. Many see the near social deterministic program as an negligent system and if that's the case where does that leave the victims of these situations?
CHAPTER 7
THE JESUS DEBATE
When did it become good to forgive someone elses pain?
If a philosophy is based on sacrifice..wont the victim always come second?
Tota A.I director Richard Newel
The next time I saw david was again at his home.
Equipment was being put in place for the audio and video link from an monitor room to the agent.
The agent was in the home in the back porch area.
It had been in the house for a week.
Later, the technicians had left.
David settled down for an evening meal.
The designer had been at the house half the day
David
Its been …ok….no problems…. seriously… its been..good….dont mind having him in the house.
Interviewer
Him?
David
I think its just the stopping the anxiety..you feel guarded..safer
Interviewer
It doesn't help outside the home though does it?
David
No. it stays in the house. As you know the use of drones against anti social behavior was made illegal when this government got in. Its still trying to ban home security ai. So..er..on helping me..er.. it has helped my stress levels because the fear of what a burglar will do if i stumbled upon him…from what iv read and been told AI medical agents have an positive effect with disabled children .. which is interesting.
Later.
Designer
Yes, young people do seem to respond to robots extremely positively.
Interviewer
Is it mostly young boys?
Designer
Haha..there is a percentage of boys who respond over girls but young girls do respond enthusiastically too...but i wouldn't like to simplify…I'm sure these trends will change
Later. Late evening. Myself , David and Richard were still up, again we ended up watching a news debate show on tv.
Leftwing politician
It is incredibly brave for the prime minister to try and address the causes of crime rather than play to the "lock em up" mob. People aren't naturally violent..it is a response..learned behavior
(I remember davids was looking after his toddler grandson, who was staying, and the boy was kicking out to which david remarked that even a baby knows that's bullshit)
Rightwing politician
Of course all people aren't violent but some NATURALLY are, to pretend its all learnt is idiotic… and that's where...
Leftwing politician
Yes but as the prime minister said the way to deal with that is rehabilitation schemes...not more police, more prisons..
Rightwing politician
But it hasn't worked has it? prisons shut up and down the country, police on the beat slashed by over half! its too much too soon! hasn't the reduction of penalties for paedophillia for example made the uk a target for predators?
No one would disagree with criminals being rehabilitated but there has to be…
To have an system like unlimited limited based almost completely on rehabilitation with no ...atonement..no justice... isn't the way to go… as the crime figures are showing.
Admittedly the old way of lock em up and throw away the key was wrong, You need rehabilitation with atonement…now..its gone too far the other way hasn't it? 3-6 months for rape? i mean come on..where does it end?
In fact..where did this start? rehab being the priority?!
wont the victim always comes second?
Leftwing politician
Well, many of the ideas of rehabilitation progressed from christianity..so some might say your in fact backhandedly criticising christian ideals
Rightwing
Absolute nonsense, is this what the left has come to? this desperate position?
TV host
Isn't that a fair point?, is it strange to hear a conservative attacking a progression of christian ideas? the archbishop of canterbury has said that these programs are very close to what the church of England is doing in small communities
Rightwing politician
You've twisted my point… of course ..not. I'm …not saying that ...no.
Designer
Hahaha...she got him there... ha ha..always the same…..
Interviewer
How ?
Designer
The way politicians avoid the crux of most issues.
Interview
How do you feel that's what happened?
Designer
Well, between the 2 of them they nearly had a solid view..and then it was dropped immediately!
What i mean is ..philosophically er...i have nothing against christianity … but….
You could say victims do come second in christianity couldn't you?
What did jesus say..if someone wants your cloak, give it to him..if someone strikes your cheek give him your other cheek..?
Perhaps that's the problem with an philosophy based on sacrifice?
The outcomes inevitable? this kind of dogmatic social determinism?
While rehabilitating or "saving" people...the victim always comes off 2nd best?
How did the farleft get the highground on this? and the right go along with it except some old duffers from the backbenches..
Protecting people is wrong now? From that point of view jesus is immoral.
When did it become a virtue to forgive someone else's pain?
Interviewer
Do you hold that view?
Designer
Hmm...there's a lot of good in it but..i have sympathy with criticisms of christianity..it effects so many things doesn't it?..those who believe in the right to die cause?..euthanasia? a large part of the resistance to that is religious isnt it? god gave life so only "god" can take it? but how much suffering does that cause? i mean we put animals out of their misery but humans we dont? they must suffer? but when's enough?..and who's deciding?
but regarding ..
..crime..
how does the jesus' philosophy take into account psychopaths?
people who feel nothing for their victims?
and there are a huge percent of them.
Designer
I mean maybe it works if there is an afterlife...where.."bad" people see the error of their ways and repent or whatever but if there isn't ..where does that leave a victim?
If there isnt an afterlife..its noble to sometimes sacrifice yourself..but..to sacrifice others?
and what kind of god creates the food chain as a fuel system?
I mean that's a bit of an window into an odd mentality isn't it?
haha oh sorry...i forgot..this ..dogmatic social determinisms above criticism these days isn't it?
Seriously if there isn't an wonderful afterlife and there is no atonement..where does that leave the victims in this life?
Interviewer
It seems something you've put some thought into?
Designer
Its just..being involved in this project ..
Anyone with a reasonable level of intelligence…it does leave you thinking about these issues ..
I'm interested in solutions, sacrifice is not a solution is it?
If a philosophy is based on sacrifice. ..wont the victim always come second?
In this utopia there's no pettiness?
no greed?
no spite..?
y'know?
its all environment?.
.its just..
When did it become "good" to forgive someone else's pain?
As I went to sleep that night I remember seeing richard removing the agents chest panels to show david underneath. David was tilting his head side to side looking inside and the agent was mimicking this. Another odd end to another very odd day.
CHAPTER 8
PROMOTION
I think that suggestions of the nietzschean "superman" myth are much too simplistic and dangerously leaves out more subtle human fascinations
Tota A.I director Richard Newel
We were shown five 1 minute tv adverts by the agency tota uses for its promotions. All were made like car tv commercials but with agents, which is still a strange experience to view. All dramatic camera angles, "cool" music again (classical and electronic etc) Soft spoken voiceovers, robotic eagles flying, robotic jaguars running, pov and slow mo shots etc
Promo 1.
Agent - colour - dark blue / white lines down chest/ white lines on shoulders
Music – Female vocal over a stuttered electronic hihat beat
Promo 2.
Agent - colour - green / grey lines & arrows on chest and arms
Music - classic electro hiphop track mixed into an modern hyper edited electronic track
Promo 3.
Agent - colour - checquered black & white
Music - A minimalist classical piece of music
Promo 4.
Agent colour - maroon & black
Music: A classic European electronic track was mixed into an modern hyper edited electronic track.
Promo 5.
Agent colour - red / white lines on chest and rectangles on arms
Music - Classic hiphop track mixed into an modern hyper edited piece of electronic music
Background voiceover about how evolution has no overall aim but still continually evolves beautiful forms that we see everyday
After the showing of the promotional videos
A London coffee shop.
Interviewer
What's your opinion on why are we so drawn to humanoid robots? visually?
Designer
Oh..er..hard to say one thing specifically..lot of different theories..visually they're very stimulating..their designed with the beauty of anatomy…
Interviewer
Their has been suggestions of the nietzchean "superman"?
Designer
Hmm…er..not a big surprise…i think that's much too simplistic and dangerously leaves out more subtle human fascinations...
Interviewer
Some have described it as an indulgence?
Designer
Haha well there's probably no converting those people...couldn't it just as easily be a sharing of experiences? we learn together? That's a much more positve viewpoint isn't it?
CHAPTER 9
THE LIMITS DEBATE
What are we without limits?
Tota A.I director Richard Newel
In..(indecipherable) ..the denied limits of some will always lead to the imposing of limits by others?
Tota A.I director Richard Newel
Davids house.
I was with David and the agent was again in the back of the house..
David
Id be lying if i said i didn't think this was going to be..weird..but..it hasn't been..after a few days it all felt..ha ha quite..normal ... i know it sound nuts but that has been my experience
Interview
How has it became like that?
David
Well as i said before ..stress level ..er..easing off..i mean by the day!
Interviewer
Feeling safer?
David
Yes, its also just a very strange but interesting experience
Interviewer
What's your feeling about that?
David
I see it as a positive. its new technology, iv always been interested in technological advances…and it does the job…and..the statistics speak for themselves
Late afternoon.
David had the tv news on again.
Politician
The heartbreaking case of ali davis asks tough questions about how our wider culture overlooks the sadistic treatment of children
David
Is it me or is he blaming us for the results of his policies?
i just turn it off now.
Later that night i was given a lift to my hotel by Richard.
Designer
Yes, I'm pleased. I feel the agent is definitely having a positive effect on David.
Interviewer
What percentage of people have a positive reaction?
Designer
About 90%...obviously they've put a lot of thought into it beforehand..so..they start off with an positive attitude...and it tends to stay that way.
Radio news was playing again and on the show the government were responding to criticism of the unlimited limited crime program.
Government MP
Well obviously i cant comment on individual cases
Radio interviewer
The family have said they are not satisfied with the verdict and feel the sentence is not enough
Government MP
I can fully understand a families frustrations after an experience like that but .. we remain fully behind the prime minister because it has been shown time and time again...that the best solution ..is to deal with people social limitations ..
Radio interviewer
Many are saying though that the family isn't being listened too as they have stated the centre he was sent to is described as an "soft" centre and to now be sent back to the school of the victim shows a system in chaos
Government MP
NO!...sigh…Again….
Radio interviewer
Today there have been demonstrations at the school you know?
(Audio footage of a demonstrations at school gates for a girl raped and killed was played )
Government MP
I understand that but rather than focus solely on a victims feelings the justice system has to take other things into account..we cant just listen to the mob..the fact is centres that operate as therapeutic communities have the best results and..
Radio interviewer
But many in the media and your opposition say you are not getting results..
violent crime is up, knife crime is up...how are these results?
Many say a small percentage cause most crime and to obsess on their rehabilitation while they continue to commit more crime ..well..
Some are calling it a rehab 1st society ..
Arrogant progressive fundamentalism despite the facts…
Is that what is happening in England?
Government MP
Of course not… the way to deal with that is by dealing with the social limitations these people find themselves in
Radio interviewer
Again, many have said this is simply excusing the individuals behaviour...to focus …moral cowardice…
Government MP
No.. we will not be took back to old fashioned responses….
We will stick to the modern program we set out. ..removing limits…and..
Designer
Is it me or does it seem they have a borderline obsession with limits?
All this limits and unlimited?
I suppose its just politician speak right? but...this indiscriminate ...hatred..of limits?
Designer (cont)
Its like "natural" as "good" isn't it?
"Its not natural"
Well many "natural" things aren't "good" are they? earthquakes, plagues, diseases..their all "natural" aren't they?
I mean ..limits in some things are obviously good!
Some ..was it ..sheiks? kings? had hundreds of women, the best foods..wine..and what happened to them?
They killed themselves out of depression
Nothing had any value..nothing cherished?
Maybe some things being unlimited isn't that great?
Don't a lot of things in this world need limits? Obviously?
Pain?
Hate? …haha
Go….
The main thing is things are in place to support people like these families who feel so abandoned by this system.
Hmm…obviously there are some bad limits…yes.. what about the ..haha..what about….. about ..denied limits?
In..(indecipherable) ..the denied limits of some will always lead to the imposing of limits by others?
CHAPTER 10
OPERATION
Sy am sirif?
Tota agent S.I 71
(CCTV Transcript)
October 20th
02.24.03 – 02.45.56 am (timer on screen over cctv of rooms inside davids house.)
Possible intruders. .( type on screen)
Agents intruder alarm link activated. .( type on screen)
Audio warning system activated. .( type on screen)
View of David walking down upstairs hall with phone in ear
Monitoring centre phoning David and informing him of alarm and audio warning system activation.
Monitoring centre informing David that police have been automatically contacted and the agents response to possible intruder is all correct.
View of agent inside backroom.
Head facing upwards.
of house.
View of david receiving text, then going to main bedroom.
View of downstairs, window to backroom being forced open.
View of hooded burglar climbs through window into house.
View of unlit room being scanned by agent
View of burglar stunned then restrained by the throat by the agent
Agent
Please remain still. The authorities have been informed and will be here shortly.
This area is secure.
Upstairs view, David responds to the noise and the secure light on the agent monitor and makes his way downstairs.
View of David entering the backroom.
Agent
Please remain still. The authorities have been informed and will be here shortly.
Burglar
Get t..the..fuckkk off..Let me fucking go...
View of burglar hitting arm of agent..very quickly, seems almost uncontrollable with rage
Agent
The area is secure, there are no other intruders within a 500 metre radius.
David
Its ok the police will be here soon.
Burglar
Fuck you you cunt... couldnt give a fuck
View of Agent turning head from david to burglar
David
There's no need…
Burglar
Shut the fuck up..fuckin stupid..fuckin..
David
You've no shame at all have you? maybe if you didn't steal other peoples things they work for you wouldn't be in this position?
Burglar
Got a lot to say when someone cant move haven't ya?
View of agent turning head side to side..looking at burglar
David
Unbelievable..you act like im the one whos done wrong..
View of burglar kicking and punching at agent, knuckles bloodied
Burglar
Stupid bitch
View of agent looking at burglar. David looks distressed.
Burglar slightly giving up with the struggle
Burglar
Fuck all..they'll do anyway...cant do fuckkk all...
David looks on reassured by control centre operator
Burglar
Give it few weeks quiet...ill be back out and …about...
View of agent focusing on burglar
Agent
Edemi tio tean?
Burglar
What the fuck? got…
David looking confused,
View of agent turning back from David to burglar
Burglar
Haha..fuckin ...unbelievable...weird shit you people will do..
Agent
iid dera ater
Burglar spits on agent
Burglar
Yeah ..who knows where ill be popping up in few weeks...
Agent
Nio det..tio?
Shot of david again looking anxious by agents actions
David
What? …the Police will be here any minute now so….
Burglar spits at david
Burglar
Fuckin dog...shut your fucking mouth
David (to control centre)
WHAT is the agent saying?
Control centre
Its nothing..its just old ..language software ..the police should be there shortly david..
View of David nodding
Agent
Sy em sa sirif
Burglar
Stop fuckin..lookin at me...piece of fucking shit...
View of David looking more concerned
Agent
Sy am sirif?
David
Im ok…im ok…
View of agent looking back at the intruder, no hesitation, appears to twist burglars neck
View of agent holding him for a few seconds, staring at him
View of agent dropping him onto the floor
View of agent walking over to David.
View of David stiff with shock.
Agent continues addressing david in its own language.
View of David looking on confused.
View of all 3 remaining still
Audio of control centres instructions
View of police arriving in house.
A.i team arrive in house
CHAPTER 11
AFTER
I think yours is a short term view.
We live in an absurd universe, life is…on the ultimate level..tragic…imperfect…using these agents to deter violent crime..life is less imperfect….
Extreme? that would be the position taken by critics of the project…
They are are anti-progress
What could be more anti progressive than the the denial of basic liberty fought for since the beginning of human societies?
Allowing violent criminals to oppress innocent peoples day to day lives?
Tota A.I director Richard Newel
No..no…there is no evidence of what your suggesting.
Tota A.I director Richard Newel
For a longtime it was virtually silent from the designer and his team but I eventually got a final interview with Richard.
Interviewer
Can you give us your view on the outcome of the case?
Designer
The company was found innocent of all counts of corporate negligence because the act of negligence could not be attributed to any one individual. unfortunately what should be the main focus here is that someone was seriously injured which is tragic…to your question.. because of the illegality of his situation, self defense was also taken into account as there was an threat to the homeowners.
Interviewer
What is the full extent of anthony whitmans injuries?
Designer
I'd prefer not to comment at this time
Interviewer
There is an charge of corporate negligence against the manufacturer of the agents behavior mechanisms?
Designer
Yes
Interviewer
Can you explain what the error was?
Designer
In simplistic terms….it was due to a failure of the behavior limiting mechanisms which should have stopped that amount of responsive action.
Interviewer
Why wasn't the command centre able to stop it?
Designer
The failure of the behaviour limiting mechanisms affected multiple sytem functions..and..
Interviewer
In the case it was stated the agent was in control not the command centre correct? so there was no responsibility for the centres operating staff.
Designer
Correct.
Interviewer
Can you clarify an attempt to hold the agent responsible for its own actions? The attempt to prosecute it as an individual at one stage?
Designer
Obviously all possibilities have to be investigated but it was ….never serious …in my opinion.
Interviewer
In the media it was alleged to be at one stage.
Designer
I think it was exaggerated
Interviewer
The allegation was a conflict between the language..the conceptualization software or "brain" and the behavior limiters?
Designer
Yes
Interview
The robot was speaking to david before the assault?
Designer
Yes
Interviewer
Again, its movement implied it was reacting to the burglars actions...he spat on david ..and other
Designer
There was found to be no proof of that, technology creates the illusion of intention sometimes
Interviewer
It has been suggested in parts of the media the agent developed consciousness, of guilt being one of the origins of consciousness..from its feelings of protection to david to its response? Added to the language software and ..er.. overiding the …
Designer
Again, there was no evidence of that and i also find that a very unlikely scenario. It is much more likely it was a tragic failure of the behaviour mechanism and all the evidence has pointed to that, so..
Interviewer
Language is a big part of developing consciousness in ai isn't it though?
Designer
Yes but that is seen as a slightly outdated fascination at this point.
Interviewer
Why? because it cant be done?
Designer
Haha..very good… no..because a.i is to be used for things. ..application areas to aid humans. Consciousness was seen as the ultimate goal at one stage but for what? its more an experimental indulgence than an actual use, yes its important, yes its interesting but..the machines are getting subtle enough through their sensors without needing that at this stage.
Interviewer
But language would be a big part of the link?
Designer
Theoretically ..yes. as language is a big part of the way we collate information and get perspective of events then yes it would be…a part..but not in this case ..Im sorry I cant be bothered to go into an long explanation of how not only language but also…symbolism systems play their parts in a agents "brain"
Interviewer
A brief…
Designer
We eat, sleep, fight and reproduce by instinct but with language individuals are capable of ...going past that and have a range of choices ...inside situations which ...constrain choice...this allows an individual or culturally with other individuals to ..assess its own actions...collate information ..conciousness...but again there was no proof of this happening…
Interviewer
It seemed to be related to protecting david didn,t you think?
Designer
Again, an agents actions can be viewed in terms incorrect to what's actually happening
Interviewer
Its rare but possible for software to affect hardware isn't it? virus software for example … can cause a conflict and can affect hardware cant it?
Designer
There was no evidence of that happening in this case.
Interviewer
But it is possible?
Designer
Ok, i don't think this is appropriate in the circumstances do you?
Interviewer
Do you know what david has decided to do?
Designer
The agent obviously was took back to the company and david has decided not to replace it at this time
Interviewer
Is it still the case that the words the agent said before the incident…
"sy et siri"
haven't been translated?
Designer
Yes and several other words..that doesn't mean,..
Interviewer
And part of the reason responsibility could not be attributed to the agent is because no one knows the motive? no one knows what it said..these are new words so no "motive" could be attributed?
Designer
Well it wasn't as black and white as that ...the fact he was in someone elses home...and…there was no evidence of a… "motive" ..again there is no evidence of what your suggesting. i want that point made clearly…it doesn't matter what the words were…there was no evidence of conscious intention..
Interviewer
In terms of what you were trying to achieve, you must surely admit it has been an pr disaster? Many of your critics say it highlights how extreme the idea of using AI for home security is, do you accept that?
Designer
I think yours is a short term view. Extreme? 99% of the time you wouldn't know it was even there! Look, we live in an absurd universe, life is…on the ultimate level..tragic…imperfect…using these agents to deter violent crime..life is LESS imperfect….Extreme? THAT would be the position taken by critics of the project…who seem to suffer from a 'predator gap' a mental inability to understand predatory thought … er…what could be more anti progressive than the denial of basic liberty by allowing violent criminals to oppress innocent peoples day to day lives? The far left have no proof there has been a deletion of the predatory nature of some humans but have removed all safeguards for stopping its consequences! THAT is political NEGLIGENCE!…..in the long term, ours will not be seen as an extreme response….in percentage terms….A.I still has a much lower error rate than humans…..have you spoken to david about how he is coping?
Interviewer
We tried but he declined. What do you think of the comments of the critics of your project? That it is YOUR project which is unlimited limited? Unlimited human dreams limited by limited human ability?
Designer
Hah..very good..I would say , rather, it is unlimited human dreams limited by an absurd universe…and that these protective machines make those dreams a little less limited…Do you not think you should try david again? He has no protection..i mean, what is he supposed to do now?
Interviewer
We will contact him again….er…but again, no interpretation was provided?
Designer
I have to end it here ..but again …it doesn't matter what the machine "said" it was the behavior limitors that failed…there was no evidence of what your suggesting. ..but again I would add..what happens to people like david without these systems?
The rumours around the agent continue still and the incident at davids home affected sales of security agents badly... but ... the public fascination with a.i keeps going on.
Two years after my documentary "unlimited limited" about the development and evolution of these a.i security machine agents, all shot in the style of car magazine tv programs to satirise the odd nature of the robots incredible power combined with their commercial promotions was on television…
What is the number one tv show in the world "Apex Meka" about?
A.i military robot agents (sentrys, bomb disposers, aerial drones etc) competing against each other to see which is the most efficient machine..or "Apex meka"
All shot in the "iconic"style of ..car magazine tv programs …but ..with robots.
Another interesting thing happened not long after the documentary too, street art started appearing around England and Europe entitled "Unlimited limited" showing tragic scenes, dogs at asian meat torture events etc, so the term seems to be evolving many meanings culturally.
David, despite constant attempted contacts, still does not wish to comment on the events at his home.
Unlimited limited is a modern crime rehabilitation program which claims that "The unlimited potential of offenders is limited by their environment"
Critics claim this is an simplistic utopian ideal based on social determinism without individual atonement or responsibility which is creating an "rehab 1st society" putting the rehabilitation of criminals ahead of public safety and that the rising crime figures back them up on this.
Into this debate comes the introduction, in England, of artificially intelligent home security robot agents.
A documentary maker is allowed access to the evolution of these agents, from their use in the study of language evolution, including their own, to their many different platforms, in this case, security.
While doing this, he interviews the designer about his political and philosophical positions, its critics and also the victims of crime customers who feel they have no option but to use them.
During the filming however there is an incident at a customers home.