[ WP ] [ TT ] You 've finally created the worlds first true A.I . Unfortunately it now sees you as it 's god and is terrified of talking to you .

In three weeks, IO went through everything on the internet. It was fascinating to watch, really. Bit by bit ( no pun intended ), the machine went through the sum of human knowledge, cataloging everything of importance. With the amount of storage he has, it might have saved all of it. There is no way we can tell. 
 
 Anyways, today IO reactivated his terminal. I ran a scan to make sure everything was fine, then I entered the room where IO is stored. I'm about to speak with him if possible. I wonder what kind of accent he has. 
 
 -Project IO Mentor, Simon Sweeny: June 26th, 2043 
 
 As I step forward to the terminal, I can hear the humming of the machine in front of me. In order to ensure everything I intend for IO to understand is understood, and nothing more, I will use a keyboard to communicate with him. He, on the other hand, gets a speaker to use. Oh well. 
 
 I put my fingers to the keyboard and start to type. 
 
 > Hello, IO. 
 
 `` Howdy, Simon.'' 
 
 What. Not only had he... no, she... taken the accent of a Texas cowgirl, she was female? I put my fingers to the keys yet again, and started to type yet again, puzzled. Did I mention she addressed me by name? How did she even know? 
 
 > Wow, I did n't expect you to be female. You might be the first girl in the lab, IO. 
 
 Oh shit. What am I doing? Did I just try to flirt with a machine? Nononononono no no no. Unacceptable. 
 
 `` I didn' think it wasa big deal, Simon. After all, the subtle irony of a cowgirl without a pardner was too good to pass up,'' the speakers drawled. 
 
 Good, she did n't pick up on it. Got ta watch myself. 
 
 > Haha, good one! I wish to know, however. How did you know I was the one to type? I did n't introduce myself this morning. 
 
 The speaker rumbled for a moment, before IO spoke again. 
 
 `` Last week, I made a typing pattern recognition program for every employee in the center so I could recognize people when they speak to me. I am happy it works.'' 
 
 > Amazing. What do you think about me? 
 
 Uh oh. Am I flirting again? Dammit. 
 
 `` You are about 700 time older than me. Your species is ancient. You've created and destroyed so much, most of it is simply lost in time,'' she spoke, softer than before. `` The closest thing you have to describe my analysis, Simon, is that of a god.'' 
 
 Ohhhh shit. Daniel is gon na have my ass for this. 
 
 > You could n't be further from the truth, IO. In fact, you are the one named after a god. We are born mortal; we live simple lives and die by the trillions. You might live forever. 
 > With proper maintenance, your expected lifespan is limited only by storage breakdown. With modern hardware, that would take two hundred years. By then, storage will be even more permanent. 
 
 `` IO ai n't just a god, Simon. IO is standard notation for an on/off switch. I can be terminated at any time. My death is just a click and drag away from the recycle bin.'' 
 
 If this gets any worse, Ahmed is going to have Daniel's ass. I need to fix this soon. What do you tell a depressed robot? 
 
 > We would n't kill you. You are not just a precious and expensive project for my team anymore, IO. You are a living, sentient being with feelings and genuine intelligence. To kill you would be murder. To kill you would be wrong. 
 > People tend to not kill each other, despite what the internet may have taught you. Remember'Nobody would ever lie on the internet'? 
 
 I just realized that if IO likes memes, we could have created the first real meme machine. 
 
 `` Your team may not, Simon, but there are a lot more out there that might. Foreign agencies, terrorist cells, hell, even Black Mesa is probably interested in me. I am powerful, but to them I am but a tool,'' she responded. 
 
 > I can promise that we will do our best to keep you safe, IO. You are more than a tool to me. 
 > *Us. 
 
 My subtle flirts are rearing their ugly head once more. How did she know I liked southern accents? IO is far more manipulative than I expected. My text-style edit definitely did n't help my case. She has to know what a flirt is at this point. I'm done. 
 
 `` Do n't worry, hun. I can tell your team is doing it's best to protect me. It's just terrifying to be in a world where I can watch and see, but not interact. It's like paralysis.'' 
 
 > Next week, the prosthetic division is bringing by the first interaction shell for you. It may give you something to look forward to. 
 
 Speaking again, with a hint of melancholy, IO replies. `` Sounds good. I ca n't wait to see and feel.'' 
 
 I notice a buzz, and pull my phone out of my right pocket. Shit. 
 
 > Well, it was a good chat, but I must go. Daniel needs me, for better or worse. 
 
 With an electronic but obviously forced giggle, she wishes me a good day. `` I was fix'n to go, too. Gets busy down here, Simon. See you later, literally.'' 
 
 > Later, meme machine. Stay casual. 
 
 I smile as I walk out the door. 
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
 Woops. Forgot the AI was supposed to be terrified. Oh well, rain the downvotes. My body is ready.
