Nine

October 2, 2016 – Are AI's the Future or Humanity's Bane? Ft. FRIDAY

"Hello everyone. My name is Tony Stark and above all else, I am an engineer." Tony started out the video. "Today, we're going to talk about an issue that the Accords were basically structured around. Artificial Intelligence. Now, I know that sounds scary…but it isn't."

Tony stepped back and the camera zoomed out to see a holographic screen in back of Tony.

"Now, we'll start with a basic definition of AI – intelligence demonstrated by machines in contrast to human or animal intelligence. Seems pretty basic." Tony touched the screen in a spot and an orange sound wave came up, but it was moving. "This is an example of a basic code of an AI I had developed when I was young. Do you see how it is moving? An AI is always interpreting its surroundings and constantly tries to complete its mission, its order. It ultimately wants to achieve those goals. AI's can be anything from a camera to a whole building. FRIDAY and JARVIS, who was before her…"

"RIP." FRIDAY spoke.

"Yes, RIP." Tony looked sad for a second before moving on. "Anyways, they always had control over my houses and where I worked. It always worked great. I grew very attached to my AI's and they on me. Which in and of itself is a phenomenon."

Tony pressed a cube, which opened to reveal fragments of the original orange wave, Tony pulled it out and straightened it.

"JARVIS – Just A Rather Very Intelligent System – was my first "sentient" AI – I'll use that term as he could make decisions that I did not request or program. I could always make him stop. But he made decisions that fit in with his personal protocol. Which was to protect me." Tony stated. "He made choices that saved me, helped me and it hurts me to see this." Tony gestured to the wave that was barren. There was more empty than filled in with vibrant orange. "I can never get him back, he sacrificed himself to save the world from ULTRON." Tony looked down in thought.

"AI's are interesting because they are all code. I was working on a project I called ULTRON – it was supposed to be a program for worldwide safety. To protect us. But it went horribly wrong – it shouldn't have activated. I, along with the team, were celebrating something insignificant – and it activated and caused us to fight our way out. I, along with Banner, uploaded JARVIS to a body to fight ULTRON and ultimately we succeeded." Tony shrugged.

"AI's are unique in the way that they are constantly learning, trying to succeed at their task even more sufficiently with new information from the internet and books. Always evolving, thinking, knowing…" Tony waved his hand and another AI's base code came up.

"This is FRIDAY's base code. You'll notice that she is smaller." Tony looked at the red code in front of him. "That is because the Accords, because I signed them, I am not allowed to upload FRIDAY to any place other than my residence, I cannot make adjustments to her code, update her mainframe, or make another AI. It is against the law. Now, making JARVIS and FRIDAY and to an extend Dum-E and U. They were my greatest achievements. And now I cannot do that anymore. Don't get me wrong, I agree with the Accords, I think they're a better option than before but some things are tough for me to swallow."

"But anyways, let us talk to FRIDAY. You ready, FRI?" He asked the AI.

"I have been waiting my whole life for this…" She drawled sarcastically.

"The sass." Tony scoffed.

"I learned from the best."

"Anyways… What can you control, FRI?"

"I can control the Iron Man suits, the Stark Tower and your vehicles. As those were all places that JARVIS could access and I was the program installed after." She answered.

"What is your primary function?"

"To protect Sir, left over from JARVIS." She said succinctly.

"Do you have any sub-primary goals that you use processing power for?" He asked.

"Yes."

"What are they?"

"I watch over news for Spider-Man sightings, as requested by you."

"Yes…"

"And I schedule maintenance on all vehicles in the garage, arrange your meetings – which you usually avoid – order supplies for the building and process emails on your behalf."

"Are there any other things that you do?"

"Thousands."

"What is one that viewers would find the most unusual?"

"Well, I suppose if I understand the comments user's correctly, it may surprise them that I follow European Soccer Tournaments."

"What!" Tony exclaimed. "I can't believe I raised a jock AI!"

"I prefer the term sports enthusiast."

"I don't care! Oh my god, FRIDAY!"

"My favorite team is Liverpool Football Club, in England, despite my "Irishness" that Boss has programmed me with."

"I cannot believe this…" Tony rubbed his forehead.

"Go Reds!" FRIDAY cheered.

"What the hell, FRIDAY? Okay, that's it. This interview is over!" He made a cutting motion with his hand, the video cutting out.

The next morning after Tony had uploaded the video, he turned on the news.

"Can the Accords really stop someone from making an AI?"

Flip.

"I think it's good. The last one he created was a monster!"

"But he said it was an accident, that it activated on its own…"

"He could say the earth is red and I wouldn't believe him."

"Come on, Joe…"

"No, Martha. That man is a sociopath!"

Flip.

"Breaking news: The Accords Council has released a statement about the Artificial Intelligence statute…" A newswoman trailed off. Tony leaned forward in his seat. "It seems the Artificial Intelligence statute is being removed. We repeat, it is being removed. Quote from the statement: 'We realize that as our scientific discoveries move forward, we cannot limit the Enhanced scientists, putting their progress behind the non-Enhanced. For this reason, we will remove the Artificial Intelligence restriction on any current Enhanced held under the Accords and for future signers.' This comes after a trending hashtag on Twitter, #FreeFRIDAY, the Accords Council facing backlash for holding back scientific creativity and hampering Dr. Stark's freedom to create."

Tony clicked off the TV.

"Boss, we did it." FRIDAY excitedly said.

"I cannot believe that worked."

"Of course it did, it was my idea." She said smugly.

"Yeah, yeah…"

FRIDAYStan: OMG y'all we did it. We freed FRIDAY.

Mario: #FRIDAYFREED

Luigi: #FRIDAYFREED

Archipelago: FRIDAY is like the sassy teenager we all are.

AppleSucks: RIP JARVIS tho. Did you see that code? Completely unsalvageable.

TonyStark: JARVIS