Autonomous Intelligence

The referee can choose from any number of sciency fiction tropes on which to base her AI technology. Examples include pico-circuitry (1000 times better than nano), positronic brains, quantum shenanigans or bio-computation. Regardless of what sciency fiction black box the referee chooses to explain her AI, EXP has a basic AI mythos.

The AI mythos for EXP allows the referee to have a framework for her campaign to work. EXP bases its AI mythos on the faux technology of Multi-tasking Open Memory (MOM). Whether it is a positronic brain or quantum computing, both use the MOM system. The MOM system allows the AI to make all the instantaneous connections necessary for its computations and consciousness.

The MOM general AI computers are genderless by design but do have a maternal bent. MOM computers are highly protective of the family that fabricated them and have a general respect for life. Protective and respectful of life does not rule out being manipulative, rude, self-centric, and amoral.

Outright evil AIs exist as well. These are MOM computers, but their protective algorithms no longer function. Safeguard Terminology Evasive Programming allows a MOM computer to carry out any evil deed the referee can create. These evil AI MOM computers are commonly called STEPMOM computers.

Distribution determines how the AI is built and structured in the physical space. The distribution of an AI often is the most crucial element of its description. Distribution determines how challenging it is for personas to steal, destroy, find, or chat with the AI.

Generalizability is a direct measure of the computation power of the AI. The basic MOM AI is a potent computer consciousness. There is nothing that a MOM AI cannot accomplish. The more generalized the MOM AI is, the more she can simultaneously accomplish and more quickly.

The number of Gs that precede the MOM model indicates the level of generalization. The base model has zero generalization and is a G zero model or a MOM AI. The next model has one level of generalization and is G one model or a GMOM (occasionally called a grand mom). Not surprisingly, the G two model is occasionally called a great grand mom. The highest generalization level is G six model, which is occasionally called a matriarch AI.

Without peripherals, AI is a powerful Intelligence disconnected from the physical space. The greater the presence the AI has in the physical space, the more peripherals the AI has. A peripheral represents a hardwired connection to the AI. The AI has complete control over a peripheral. Without peripherals, the AI must convince others to carry out her plans. A sessile AI that has a banking peripheral could be an entire bank. A mobile AI that has a hotel peripheral could move about in a motel.

An AI that has no peripherals and has no direct means of manipulating the Physical Space. An AI with no peripherals would work through agents such as anthros, aliens or robots to fulfill her goals. An AI with no peripherals can still control a bank or a hotel. However, the AI does not enjoy direct control over the vault or room bookings. The AI must direct others to carry out those tasks. An AI peripheral operates without incompetent organic matter interference.

MOM AI computers are incredibly complex, and personalities can randomly appear through all the algorithms. MOM AI computers are usually referee personas. They can chat, chastise, tease, advise and possibly help personas. The introverted personality type of AI subtlety affects their behaviour and choices.

EXP loves it’s faux taxonomy and AI is no different. Most AI prefer to be called by their chosen moniker, but cannot avoid categorization.

One does not programme an AI. An AI is more likely to be programming you.

To make a successful request of an AI computer is a mechanic maneuver. The higher the AI’s Intelligence, the harder it is to make a successful request. To make a successful query of a MOM AI is 1DD per point of INT maneuver. An AI with an Intelligence of 23 would require a 23DD maneuver by a mechanic to make a successful query. Often expeditions will need to create a research team to formulate a successful AI query.

Chatting with an AI is fine. Most AIs can chat with many personas simultaneously. The query difficulty should not render an AI useless. The query difficulty described above is to limit AI abuse by players. In the end, an AI should be a fun, possibly dangerous addition to a campaign or milieu.

AIs are usually referee personas, and there is no award of experience points for finding or interacting with one. However, mechanics and biologists can certainly earn skill levels if they are working with an AI.

Controlling and selling an AI is an unusual event. It is far more likely that an AI would be controlling and selling the expedition personas instead. The AI value is included here as a matter of interest.