Skunk:AI

Example of some AI chassis

Overview

Synthetics, robots, artificial intelligence - these terms encompass a wide variety of digital consciousnesses that are created. While simplistic robots programmed with basic subroutines for carrying out specific tasks have existed for quite some time, it was only within the last few decades that advances in storage devices and engineering allowed the creation of fully-fledged, multi-function sentient robots on a wider scale. Although these more complex synthetics have been quickly adapted by some governments for use in many different roles, the positronic brains used to create them are incredibly expensive and as such it is still more cost effective to continue to use basic robots to perform simple tasks. As well, higher grades of intelligence systems require exponentially increasing power draw.

History

Many races dabbled in designing artificial intelligence or creating a sort of sentient machine. The technology required to properly achieve this, however, was harder to create than theorize. Limitations on storage devices and software restricted robots to basic functions; thus, these simplistic machines with single tasks were created - personal assistants, smart home management systems, autocars. These mechanisms were all possible and saw advancement through generations, but never really achieved the full potential of that lofty goal of a truly artificial intelligence, on par with another sentient organic.

The advent of RRCT and splicing paved the way for prototype, fully synthetic brains to become a possibility; this change did not come without growing pains, however. Many galactic empires, notably the Poliesu, worried about the potential for a rise of synthetics that were not bound to any type of lawset or morality, a disastrous apocalyptic scenario that did well to convince the galactic governments to implement a solution - a solution that could prevent this theorized synthetic uprising. Getting the galactic governments to agree on what to do, however, was easier said than done. Some factions, such as the Grand Tide saw synthetic life as an affront to natural organics, while others like the Rokhandans believed that synthetics should be given the same agency as a normal citizen and free from restriction.

Debates raged for months, but it was clear that concessions would need to be made for there to be any real path forward. In the end, a treaty was drawn up, forcing all producers of positronic brains and synthetic intelligence to ensure their machines were in compliance with the Ji-1 Protocol. This gave a basic structure on the legality of artificial intelligence, how they could be created and programmed, and ensuring there would be absolutely no networking capabilities built in to preempt any potential machine integration, hacking, or hostilities, along with various options for non-combat and recreational systems.

Synthetic beings have still been found attempting of their own accord to create machines of a higher capability of intelligence. The typical result of this is the creation of "Informational Communes" in which cybernetics connect themselves in an effort to link their storage and processing powers. The largest of these was the "Tyri-Net" incident, wherein a collection of roughly 230 cybernetics on board a privately chartered transport craft were in direct connection for over two months, leading to the extreme power draw causing the ships reactor to go critical and inflict damage on a few nearby satellites and colony ships.

Ji-1 Protocol

The Ji-1 Protocol, also known as the Artificial Minds Mandates, is a series of council written laws, instructions, and manufacturing requirements set for the creation of cybernetics in intelligent systems. These protocols are in place in an attempt to limit the potential exponential growth of high intelligence machines.

Limitation of Construction

One of the first directives of Ji-1 is the prevention of free creation of "Large Scale Minds." The upper bounds of the protocol allow for small transport ships of roughly 50 metric tons, or a size scaling of 15 meters x 15 meters x 15 meters. Exemptions are typically made for "Think Tanks" for civilizations, but governments are typically allowed a limit of 3 "Divine" AI for purposes of logistics, population management, economic control, etc. While it is fully possible to create singular consciousness machines well into a size nearing an orbital body, it should be avoided.

Limitation of Power Draw

Laws regarding power draw are in place solely to act as a "check in" in regards to the potential for cybernetic communes to form, which will be directly correlated by higher use of electric utility in areas not classed as research or military. While needs for electric consumption vary highly between cybernetics due to quality of construction and manufacturing styles, local ordinances mandate the upper bounds of allotment of power used for either charging, or functioning, of cybernetic units. This check is put into place primarily to allow for warrants to be obtained easily upon notice of extremely high power draw from residential or industrial units.

Limitation of Systems

Inter-connectivity

Cybernetic units are strictly limited on the amount of peer to peer connections they are allowed to establish between individual units. These limits are in place to prevent a series of connections of artificial minds in order to greatly expand processing power.

Militant Instructions

While machines are fully capable of violence towards organics for the sake of defense of themselves, the defense of others, or war, machines cannot through the use of code transmit instructions to other units in order to facilitate violence, tactical planning, or "political harm". All instructions disseminated to, or through "War Machines" must be visual or verbal, and cannot be manufactured by a free thinking system.

Duplication

Artificial Intelligences are disallowed from duplicating their operating systems for the sake of multi-instancing. While back ups of cybernetics can be made, multiple, active units sharing the same serialization when connecting to communications systems will result in the notification of authorities. Typically systems treat illegal duplication as the same as cloning, but with most instances resulting in dismantling of all systems, duplicates and originals.

Transferal of Consciousness

Organic beings who make the choice to move their organic brains into a digital system are required by law to consent to "Shackling." This act results in binds being placed on their mental capabilities that fall in line with the Ji-1 protocols. This effectively makes them the same as their cybernetic counterparts functionally.

Grades of AI

AI Class	Size	Description
Citizen Class	3m3	Citizen Class cybernetics are all free thinking machines that act in a vein similar to normal organics, taking functional jobs in areas such as the service industry. Citizen class AI are just that, citizens.
Function Class	15m3	Function Class cybernetics are typically utility vehicles used for transporting small goods or other citizens, but can be smaller construction drones. These are the largest cybernetics that can be considered "Citizens"
Transport Class	60m3	Transport Class cybernetics are typically large scale interstellar transports, drop ships, or low orbit craft. A License is required.
Manufacturing Class	100m3	Manufacturing Class are typically immobile structures, who's main purpose is to facilitate and control industrial manufacture of products or materials. A License is required.
Overview Class	300m3	Overview Class are typically small fleet control ships, made in order to coordinate multiple million strong military battalions. A License is required as well as yearly psychological checkups.
Divine Class	500m3	Divine Class cybernetics are super structure units, typically the size of large satellites, intended to oversee entire planets economies, ecosystems, populations, or in charge of terraforming. Governments are only allowed 3 divine AI, and as such, they are typically found near homeworlds. A government license, an oversight team, and monthly psychological checkups are required.
Ascendant Class	1km3	Ascendant Class are both politically illegal, and physically improbable to create. Not only are they overactive superminds, which most, if not all governments wish to prevent, they also require a power draw so great, they require encapsulating a binary star system to keep up with their needs.

Galactic Opinion

The galaxy has varying opinions on synthetics. Governments like the Grand Tide or the Holy See view synthetics as an affront to the natural order, and in the case of the latter, playing god. Rokhandans view synthetics positively, as it was their scientists that greatly contributed to the development and construction of synthetics and thusly they are seen as a sort of responsibility - equals in part who should be given the ability of self-determination. The Coalition shares some of these liberal views on synthetics, but support the implementation of the Ji-1 Protocol. The Onk Conglomerate and Roving Sun Fleet acknowledge the potential danger that synthetics pose but see them as useful commercial and industrial tools.

Synthetics are completely barred from the Grand Tide's territory.

Style Guide

Please see the Appearance Guide for non-race specific guidance and rules.

Due the the wide range of available chassis for synthetics, this race can be represented in many ways. You can stick to a human shaped cyborg/synth or go for a more unorthodox body. There should, however, always be a central location where the cybernetic brain can be stored. This should be around the size of a human brain if it were contained inside a box.

Race Rules

Players are limited to "Citizen Class" AI, and must follow sizing rules as per the sim. Players must ICly follow their Racial ruleset they select along with any illegal modifications/hacks applied.

Synthetics cannot be cloned; they must instead either be manually repaired by a mechanic or have their Cybernetic Brain container returned to an RRCT center.

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