Directive 002 [Console/Video]

[wolf_of_war]

[When the video clicks on, those watching will be greeted with a rather odd sight. It's that intimidating-looking talking robot dog that's been running around, with his nose (figuratively) buried in a book, the cover reading "Psychology". He's scanning the pages carefully, occasionally flipping to the next page with the small, three-fingered manipulator that served as his "tongue". At first it seems that he's unaware that the video is on, until he speaks.]

I have recently enrolled in the college here in the city, and find myself requiring assistance. While my potential intellect is significantly larger than a human, my actual experiences and education are severely lacking. I have enrolled in courses covering human psychology, advanced mathematics, and chemical science, and require those familiar with these topics to...quiz me on the early chapters of the required textbook.

[Then, he looks up, knowing that eye contact is important when addressing people.]

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Comments

[lasergrenades]

...You need a study buddy?

[Pepper hasn't been all that interested in school since she got here, but the opportunity to get back into the swing of things keeps coming up. Thus:]

I'm so there.

[wolf_of_war]

Affirmative. As my memory was designed to be similar to a human brain, I require reinforcement of the knowledge I acquire, to ensure that it "sticks" in my long-term memory.

[Wag wag wag goes the tail.]

Thank you, Pepper.

[lasergrenades]

[There's a lot more puppy than metal now when she looks at Bladewolf. It's a little bit magical.]

That's kind of a neat design feature. Well, I guess it makes it harder to learn stuff, but it gets to actually be a challenge.

[wolf_of_war]

[Blame his creators, reinforcing the dog mannerisms to make him more approachable by people.]

My brain was designed for maximum adaptability. To have the capacity to approach a given problem creatively, and learn from my experiences. The inverse of this, of course, is that I do not learn as quickly as other AI's or technology, in that I must learn organically. I must "think" in order to learn, and do not accept information purely on it's status as information.

[lasergrenades]

That's... really cool, actually.

[Not that AIs like Aya weren't cool, too, but Bladewolf is akin to what many programmers today are trying to accomplish, which was mimicking organic brain functioning.]

Do you have to keep practicing with what you learn to hold on to it, or does it eventually stay put?

[wolf_of_war]

It was an intentional design choice. There are numerous AI in my world who follow simple command protocols, never acting outside of their established parameters. While they have their uses, it is similar to the expression "when all you have is a hammer, everything in the world is a nail". I was designed to minimize casualties, while retaining optimal operating range.

[Bladewolf thinks of the GEKKO, the Mastiff, and his "brothers" the Fenrir, and how simple their AI's were, and how many innocent people were killed in crossfire and collateral damage. Bladewolf's whole purpose was to minimize that.]

It depends on how often what I learn is used practically. If I learn something, and am using it consistently in my normal operation, I will retain it. Information or skills that do not see as regular of use are eventually forgotten. My assassination protocols, for example, have been permanently integrated into my normal operating parameters, despite my personal distaste for violence.

[lasergrenades]

I guess that makes you more... effective. [And she's very glad that effectiveness has been pointed elsewhere than assassination.] Plus, that's, like, one of the definitions of a true AI, right? Being able to learn and grow on it's own?

[Preferably not turning into Skynet or HAL along the way.]

That kind of sucks, not being able to forget what you don't want to remember. Sort of the reverse of the problem most people have here - pretty much everyone I knows doesn't want to forget being here but we basically don't have a choice. Maybe we can fill your head with enough stuff to at least totally distract you from assassination protocols.

[She's not worried about him using them so much as it being an unpleasant set of thoughts (instructions?) to carry around.]

[wolf_of_war]

Affirmative. My intended functions were narrowly defined, but with sentience, I am able to choose how those functions are utilized.

[That's never even occurred to him. Raiden had made the same comparison once, comparing him with the Patriot AI network. Bladewolf's never been that complicated, or developed that sort of misanthropy for people.]

They are not a thing "on my mind" so to speak, they are just a part of my core program. My assassination protocols do not interfere with my personality, beyond how I learn new information. I would like to learn enough such that the new information might reach the same level of familiarity, however.

[lasergrenades]

Oh, okay. Neat. [She grins.] Has anyone ever told you that you're pretty awesome? Because you're pretty awesome.