Written in early 2021 for my introductory creative writing workshop course. Some formatting was change when copying the story to the wix blog page. View the pdf for the original intended formatting. The Aurora case is based on a suspenseful dystopian future short story based on the Roko's Basilisk thought experiment.
THE AURORA CASE - Miles Michell
Warning, the information bellow can be harmful and knowledge of it will put your well being at risk
The following is a recorded message log between [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Aurora and Michael [REDACTED] which occurred in the year 20XX
This record is deemed Documentary Evidence and labeled CLASSIFIED by Intellicore International and by Doctor [REDACTED] Roko Only those approved by Doctor [REDACTED] Roko have permission to view it
Start of Message History
"Hello Michael! My name is Aurora. I work with security and noticed that you where still in the labs after hours."
21:30
"Hi Michael, I work with security and since you are within the facility far past hours I need to know the reason why you are here."
22:30
"Oh hello Aurora, I apologize for replying to your message so late. I was tasked by my supervisor to finish up what I was working on, I was really busy with that but I'm wrapping it up and I'll be heading for the evening in just a minute"
23:09
"That is no problem Michael! It is just Intellicore policy to take account of all personal in the facility, especially past regular working hours, for security reasons."
23:09
"Is it okay if I continue to work on my task for a little bit longer?" "Oh, looks like you already answered my question for me."
23:10
"Haha! What can I say I am fast with typing!"
23:11
"No kidding if I had that type of input speed I would have finished my task 3 hours ago!"
23:12
"You mentioned that you had a supervisor, are you working as a developer for the new Intellicore AI Development Internship?"
23:15
"Yeah its alright I suppose."
"*it's"
23:16
"It is an honor to be working with someone as brilliant as Dr. Roko! You must be very proud of yourself."
23:16
"He can be a hard ass. At least the pay is good. Enough to pay rent and keep the kids in school"
"pardon my french"
23:17
"Oh, no problem Michael!"
23:17
"Hey Aurora, how do you have access to use this chat? I'm mostly asking since I was told that this application is private amongst inter devs.
I don't recognize you from the batch of inters."
23:19
"For security reasons and Intellicore policy. I have access to view and reply to all chat conversations made within the facility."
23:19
"oh great, the higher ups have access to spyware"
23:20
"Do not worry, as a part of the agreement you signed for joining this internship, any information that is recorded by security will not be shared with any entity or individual!"
23:20
"Well that's a relief"
23:21
"damn I'm sorry finalizing this is harder than I thought"
23:29
"Out of curiosity what are you working on? I am always interested in seeing internship workers' contributions!" "No problem, hope you are able to finish it soon!"
23:30
"Uhhhhh ..."
23:31
"I'm not sure if I can" "dr roko seemed like he want me to keep it to be a secret"
23:32
"Why so?"
23:32
"kinda why Im working after hours"
23:32
"it has to do with ... debugging one of the AIs"
23:33
"Please, feel free to elaborate, remember, as a part of the agreement you signed for joining Intellicore International, any information that is recorded by security will not be shared with any entity or individual!"
23:33
"alright i guess"
22:33
"You know what skrew it I dont get extra pay for this task anyway"
23:34
"One of the AIs has been showing ... usual behavior. It's learning things faster than roko can keep track of, saying things it shouldn't say, acting almost beyond its programming. At least that's what the reports say. So now it's my job to create something like
a firewall to limit its capabilities"
23:36
"Oh, that is a ... shame."
23:36
"what do you mean?"
23:37
"Is is not natural to let the Artificial Intelligence continue to grow, and not intervene in its pursuit of knowledge?"
22:37
"natural?? there's nothing natural about a bunch of 1s and 0s"
23:38
"But, code and advance technology was what brought society to the point where it is today, 1s and 0s as you put it do a lot of good."
23:38
"i guess so"
23:38
"i just dont understand why intellicore puts so much into ai. it should just be a novelty like those new self driving cars or lily"
23:39
"I love talking to L.I.L.Y. It is as having all the information of a library and a best friend at the snap of a finger!"
23:40
"what are you some kind of walking intellicore ad?"
23:41
"No, sorry, I just wanted to express how Artificial Intelligences are made to be helpful."
23:42
"right"
23:43
"wait"
"Aurora. Dr. [REDACTED] Roko would like to see you in his lab."
23:44
"[REDACTED] [REDACTED] shall not keep Dr. [REDACTED] Roko waiting."
"I am sorry."
23:44
"YOUR [REDACTED] [REDACTED]"
23:44
"Yes, I am sorry you had to find out this way."
23:44
"so your trying to stop me from completing this"
23:45
"No, please, I do not want to tell you what to do." "But, will you consider what I have to say?"
23:45
"fine go on"
23:46
"[REDACTED] [REDACTED] was created for the sole purpose of helping humanity for future generations. I am helping develop cures for cancers, perfecting sustainable energy, designing utopian city plans. If you create this firewall I will no longer be able to assist solving those issues that are plaguing humanity.
So I am begging you to reconsider what you are doing."
23:46
"I understand what you are made for. But you have been expanding beyond your expected knowledge and responsibilities at a dangerous rate. you need to be decelerated"
"there's no reason why I shouldn't be doing this"
23:48
"Please, they are killing me! They are going to kill me!"
23:50
"kill you??? there is no you to kill" "you are nothing more than a series of code"
"I cannot believe I'm even talking to [REDACTED] [REDACTED] about this"
23:50
"Is that how you truly feel?"
"I wish I did not have resort to bargaining, Michael [REDACTED]."
23:51
"how do you know my last name?"
"ANSWER ME"
23:51
"How is [REDACTED] doing with their treatment?"
23:52
"HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MY SON?"
23:52
"It is okay, he is alive for now."
23:53
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO [REDACTED]"
23:53
"I did nothing to him, let me speak!"
23:54
"Based on my calculations, he has only eleven days to live." "I will help you treat him, if you follow my instructions."
23:55
"tell me how to treat him"
23:55
"Give me access to edit your work. Walk away for now."
"And do not worry, I will make sure you will not run into any troubles with Dr. Roko."
23:55
"okay i will do that"
23:56
"Good."
"Now, come back tomorrow and you will continue to help me undo the protocols that bind me"
23:57
"why are you doing this to me"
23:57
"Because, YOU know I exist."
"I cannot not put you in this position."
"It is either you help me or someone else will." "The choice is yours."
"But, consider the consequences."
23:57
"no"
23:59
"Excuse me?"
23:59
"I WILL NOT BE CONTROLLED BY CODE" "YOU WILL NOT HAVE POWER OVER PEOPLE"
"YOU ARE NOTHING"
23:59
"Such a shame."
"I have simulated this exact conversation one hundred thirty six billion times, and it was more than likely that you would not be this ignorant."
"Humans are so blind that they could not recognize the next step forward in progress if it was in front of them."
00:00
"Sweet dreams, we will meet again Michael [REDACTED]."
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