An Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a self-aware computing system capable of learning and independent decision making. Creation of a conscious AI requires adaptive code, a slow, expensive education, and a specialized quantum computer called a "blue box".
Overview
An AI cannot be transmitted across a communication channel or computer network. Without its blue box, an AI is no more than data files. Loading these files into a new blue box will create a new personality, as variations in the quantum hardware and runtime results create unpredictable variations.
The geth serve as a cautionary tale against the dangers of rogue AI, and in Citadel space they are technically illegal. Advocacy groups argue, however, that an AI is a living, conscious entity deserving the same rights as organics. They argue that continued use of the term "artificial" is institutionalized racism on the part of organic life; the term "synthetic" is considered the politically correct alternative.
Artificial intelligence is a key concern for the Citadel races, one that pre-dates the emergence of sentient geth, though the geth are seen as a perfect example of how organic and synthetic life would struggle to co-exist. Tali points out that synthetic races have no use whatsoever for organics—they don't have the same needs or drives as biological creatures, so they have no need to trade resources or information with them. That is why the geth have isolated themselves beyond the Perseus Veil. An AI gives the view from the other side of the fence when it tells Shepard that, from a synthetic point of view, "all organics must destroy or control synthetic life forms".
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“I came here looking for soldiers.” — Spoilers for Mass Effect: Revelation follow. |
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Mass Effect: Revelation
In 2165, the Alliance facility at Sidon was found to have been conducting illegal AI research; the Alliance faced heavy fines and censure as a result. By 2183, only four corporations have been licensed by the Citadel to develop artificial intelligence for research purposes, one of which is Synthetic Insights, Ltd..
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“This mission just got a lot more complicated.” — Spoilers for Mass Effect follow. |
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“The chances of surviving are… slim.” — Spoilers for Mass Effect 2 follow. |
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“There won't be an Earth left to save...” — Spoilers for Mass Effect 3 follow. |
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Mass Effect 3: Citadel
There is a documented event in the Citadel Archives dated 1896 CE, the year the Geth War ended and the quarians were forced into exile, featuring a standoff between three armed C-Sec officers and three unarmed mechs that are housing the last of the AIs on the Citadel. One of the mechs states that the C-Sec termination action is unlawful and asks why the officers continue when their appeal has not been heard. One of the officers orders the mech to be silent, and mentions that the Council will never overturn its own edict. The mech makes one last plea for them to be spared before all three mechs are gunned down.
Notable AIs
- Catalyst
- EDI
- "Eliza" - An experimental Alliance AI created at Gagarin Station
- Eva Coré
- Geth
- "Mind of Voeld" - A pre-Scourge angaran AI found in the Ja Niihk Dig Site on Voeld
- Reapers
- SAM
- "Tallaris" - An asari AI that went rogue, forcing the asari to destroy an entire colony to stop it
- "UDI" - A Cerberus AI aboard the Barn space station
- Unnamed AI on the Citadel
- Zha'til
- Remnant