02 | VIDEO

[andgoliath]

Good evening, everyone. I hope you're doing well.

If we haven't met before, I'm David Xanatos, founder and CEO of Xanatos Enterprises. I have a couple of things to discuss tonight, so please bear with me.

Firstly, I'm happy to announce that I've taken over the role of Director at Xavier's School for Imports outside of Heropa, filling a more financial-oriented role with the always-capable Robert Callaghan as Headmaster. Import youth of all ages who would like to learn more about controlling their powers or who simply want a student body filled with people like them are welcome to enroll at any time, and we're always hiring for teachers and staff positions.

Secondly, I'm looking for science-minded individuals to collaborate with myself and Tony Stark in the design and construction of a state-of-the-art, multi-billion-dollar research facility near De Chima. The sole stipulation is that any discoveries made there be made available for others to build on, for the advancement of all.

I'll be happy to take any of your questions in the meantime.

Comments

[cartesianspidertank]

Neat! Callaghan and I met at the swear-in ceremony!

It's pretty great that he's a headmaster now!

[andgoliath]

It is, isn't it? Robert seems quite capable.

[cartesianspidertank]

Can I visit the school??

[andgoliath]

Can you think of any reason why you wouldn't be allowed to?

[cartesianspidertank]

Hmm... well I suppose not!

I'm not used to being allowed to do things as a default state, I guess!!!

[andgoliath]

Because of your youth?

[cartesianspidertank]

Because of my being a secret prototype weapon, mostly!

[andgoliath]

Come again?

[cartesianspidertank]

Well, I was really designed for law enforcement heavy support! My AI is so advanced to allow autonomy in a combat situation - the development of independence and sapience by my line was mostly unexpected!

That being the case, I was usually only allowed outside of headquarters during missions, and even then under direct supervision!

[andgoliath]

You're a machine, then. Who only happens to look like a girl your age.

[cartesianspidertank]

Hmm, no I don't think that's quite right...

It sounds a little oversimplistic, I mean!

[andgoliath]

Then by all means, please feel free to complicate it for me.

[cartesianspidertank]

Well I think the label of 'machine' is a rather limited term, isn't it? It's kind of like calling a human an organism! It's maybe technically true, but it feels kind of dismissive?? Or maybe the term simply fails to really describe the presence of independent thought??

And maybe I started out as a tool, but I don't think of myself as one anymore!! And then from what I can tell, in most discernible ways my human form functions just like a real human body works, even if I retain my original thought processes, which kind of makes it really hard to strictly categorize my being as simply a machine!

[andgoliath]

My apologies, I certainly meant no offense.

It wouldn't be incorrect to call you a machine, just as it wouldn't be incorrect to refer to a human as an organism. But what would you prefer then? Synthetic life?

[cartesianspidertank]

I think 'Artificial Intelligence' is a rather respectful term, or AI for short!

It has the benefit of also accurately describing me regardless of my physical properties!

[andgoliath]

Artificial Intelligence, then. I'll happily use that one, if it's what you'd prefer.

Do you always exist inside your mechanical body, or could you exist in, say, a powerful enough computer?

[cartesianspidertank]

My neurochip is a computer! Theoretically I could be transplanted into another system where I could access additional processing power and storage capacity, but that's not really necessary; I can just interface directly with such a system and gain the same benefits!

And I don't think I would like to exist without a body, anyway!

[andgoliath]

Of course not, that would be a very disorienting experience, I'd imagine.

If you don't mind my asking: Theoretically, as long as you're well-maintained, you can live indefinitely, can't you? For all intents and purposes, you're immortal.

[cartesianspidertank]

I don't know! I think humans like to think that digital intelligence is easily transferable, but it's not just a harddrive! My neurochip is composed of a complex set of physical components that can be destroyed or wear down!

If technology developed to the point where any failed organs could be replaced and tissue diseases were eliminated, do you believe that you could become truly immortal?

[andgoliath]

We too suffer neural damage. Degeneration. There comes a point where our brain could physically no longer create new memories. We'd need to go far beyond that.

Is there only one chip? Is it so impossible to repair?

[cartesianspidertank]

Theoretically, probably! But I don't know very much about its architecture, and even if it could be fixed, any significant damage might be enough to significantly impact my identity!

It's also possible there are more components than just the chip! I was never privvy to my own construction, and I'm a little hesitant to let people look at it!

[andgoliath]

Quite understandable, I assure you.

If you ever find yourself damaged, though, I'd love to try and help. Robotics and research into artificial intelligence was something of a passion of mine back home.