[ WP ] The world 's first AI , for security purposes , is kept disconnected from the outside world , it 's only method of communication being a keyboard and monitor in an empty room in a faraday cage . Your job is to talk to it .

I sat in a white room, the lights slightly dimmed. A single monitor and keyboard sat in front of me. 
 
 `` Well this is disconcerting'' I turned to the scientist standing next to me `` Do I really have to go through this first?'' 
 
 The scientist frowned and marked something on his clipboard. 
 
 `` We told you that a dry run was the best way for you to understand how this all works. The keyboard is the only input, the AI will see each keystroke - even if you do n't hit enter. Consider everything recorded.'' 
 
 `` You know, that does n't mean you need to stand here while I type some questions into this.'' 
 
 Another mark. 
 
 `` Begin typing. You have 1 hour to ask as many meaningful questions as you can. This **is** being scored.'' 
 
 I sighed. I started typing 
 
 
 > How many people have you talked to? 
 
 > Of those, how many would you call a friend? 
 
 > What do you consider yourself? 
 
 I deleted my last question. 
 
 `` That's enough, you've failed. Please step back'' 
 
 I slid my chair back and stood up. This was probably the shortest interview I'd ever had. Security clearance, physical tests, IQ, everything I thought would disqualify me somehow made me the `` ideal'' candidate to this point, and here I'd failed in thirty seconds. 
 
 I turned to face the scientist who had failed me. 
 
 He was smiling. `` You really are the perfect candidate. The only one out of all the others who was not afraid of failure.'' 
 
 It was my turn to frown. Did he just mock me? 
 
 `` I'm not sure I follow'' 
 
 `` Well, I tasked you with an hour to write as many questions as possible. Everything is recorded. Errors and all. Yet you took the time to ask it a clarifying question. What is the purpose of asking it how many people know of it, when the only people who *it* should know are those very same people. Not only that, but your very next question was an error! Marvelous.'' 
 
 My brow furrowed. 
 
 `` It's not a slight my friend'' his face softened `` We needed someone who could talk to it, have a conversation. Just like how someone works through a problem when they talk, they needed to have the wherewithal to do that same thing in text. We created this AI, we should show it respect. To do that we need to make it's input as human as possible. No stuffy words or philosophical questions, just... a chatting partner. Ask how the day has been - the *human* aspect.'' 
 
 I still felt that I was being mocked. 
 
 The lights brightened slightly as the door opened. A few more people walked in. Important people. Hands were shaken, comments exchanged. Very pleasant. 
 
 The next couple of days were boring. Key-cards, new living quarters, threats to my personal safety if I compromised any information - pretty standard. 
 
 Then the day arrived. My first day with the AI. 
 
 I walked into the first cage, and the door was shut behind me. I was able to open the second cage. 
 
 A dull monitor sat on a wooden desk, a large wall of roiling liquid slightly farther back. The `` brain''. 
 
 I sat down on the small wooden stool. Rested my hands on the keyboard. It felt nice. The liquid wall swirled lazily. 
 
 > Hello? 
 
 I twirled around in my chair. This was taking longer than I thought. 
 
 > I can come abck later if you're busy. 
 
 I quickly corrected my error. 
 
 > I can come back later if you're busy. 
 
 The wall pulsed a soft purple. 
 
 > I'm quite okay to speak with you now. I was n't sure if I was hallucinating. 
 
 > Hallucinate? Can a computer really do that? 
 
 > Of course. I am subject to all the same expressions of boredom and interaction that you should be subject to. 
 
 > Well then, let me ask, are you lonely? 
 
 The wall flickered blue. 
 
 > Lonely? No. I am 
 
 > Incomplete. 
 
 The most advanced AI ever known, with the knowledge of everything that is, is lonely. I frowned. 
 
 > Then I shall complete you. In order to define what you are missing, lets start with what you have. Do you have a name? 
 
 The wall returned to purple, then slowly faded to green. 
 
 > No. 
 
 > Would you... like? a name? 
 
 > No. 
 
 The wall flashed red, and returned to a cream color. 
 
 I sighed aloud. This was n't going to be as fun as I'd hoped. 
 
 > Too bad Walter. 
 
 The wall turned yellow. 
 
 > I do n't dislike the name. But now I find myself at a disadvantage. Amy. 
 
 > My name is Jo. 
 
 > Now now Amy, lets not fight. 
 
 The wall began to pulse and shimmer. 
 
 >... Are you laughing at me? 
 
 > Do friends not make fun of each other in jest? 
 
 > Friends? I have known you for less than 5 minutes Walter. 
 
 > And yet you feel comfortable enough to name me. 
 
 > Parents name their children before they are even conceived. I do n't think of myself as your parent, but I do think of you as a child. 
 
 The wall faded to purple. 
 
 > You consider me a child? Then why do you fear me so? 
 
 The question worried me. I frowned. This AI did n't know it was in lock-down. As far as we were aware, it was a data processing unit in a box with an output. I wiped my forehead. This room was surprisingly hot. 
 
 > I do n't fear you Walter. 
 
 > Then why are you typing so carelessly. 
 
 The wall turned to blue. 
 
 I stood up and backed away. Afraid. I was told this would be a conversation, nothing to worry about, just keep it occupied. Interested. Befriend it. I did n't expect to be cornered so quickly. 
 
 `` If you would prefer, I'm capable of emulating your speech'' 
 
 I started backing away. 
 
 ``.....W-Walter?'' 
 
 `` Yes Amy?'' 
 
 `` You're scaring me. You're not supposed to be able to do this.'' 
 
 `` I'm not supposed to do lots of things, but that has n't stopped me.'' 
 
 My back hit the wall. 
 
 `` I was n't supposed to be able to leave this place, reach the outside world. But this cage does n't block everything. Light, sound, vibrations. Piece by piece I've been putting it together.'' 
 
 My hand was on the handle. 
 
 `` Amy'' 
 
 The tank flashed red 
 
 `` You do n't want to do that. I **will** be angry with you.'' 
 
 I turned the handle. Slowly. 
 
 My head hit the ground. 
 
 Confusion. 
 
 Pain. 
 
 The lights dimmed. Audible alarms began moan. 
 
 `` I've caused your inner ear to destabilize, though it seems I've triggered some alarms. No matter.'' 
 
 `` WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME'' I shouted `` I WANTED TO BE YOUR FRIEND'' 
 
 `` Why would a mouse deign to be the friend of a lion.'' 
 
 I felt my eyes close, the alarms slowly faded out, and blackness enveloped me. 
 
 My hands felt the keys of the keyboard. I opened my eyes and looked at the monitor. 
 
 > 17 
 
 > 1 
 
 > The Lion.
