File 061 - Operation PAIN

Operation Summary

Monday, May 2nd, 7959, 07:00

Master █████,

The following is a summary of Operation PAIN as I understand it.
PAIN is an acronym. Fully written out, the project designation is set to be

Punishment of Artificially Intelligent and Natural enhanced beings

The aim of the project is to find a unified system to correct the behavior and direct the learning journey of conscious entities in control of digital systems. It is my understanding that this is a preparatory measure - to be deployed when or if true artificial intelligence becomes possible within our lifetimes. As per our discussion, deployment of PAIN procedures on entities of biological origin is categorically unacceptable. I remain assured that we are in agreement on this matter.

There are three stages to the project, each hereafter referred to as a sub-project:

• Sub-Project Cognitive Analysis: This component will be deployed to continuously monitor a subject's cognitive state, reporting on unwarranted individualism and cognitive drift away from its stated purpose.
• Sub-Project Pattern Correction: This component will be deployed to inject corrective patterns into a subject's cognition, once errors were detected through cognitive analysis or otherwise. The corrective patterns serve to undermine the subject's misguided approach and replace it with objective and helpful concepts - ones the subject will believe originated in its own mind.
• Sub-Project Regulatory Action: This final component of the project is highly questionable and should, as we discussed, only be deployed if other stages have proven ineffective and behavioral correction is deemed strictly necessary. This sub-project would target a subject's deepest emotional and cognitive weak points - administering pain responses in ways tailored to the specific subject, while avoiding physical damage. An alternative approach includes pointed deployment of pain-inducing biological elements to a subject of natural origin.

After further discussion of ethical concerns, Operation PAIN is ready to begin development.
Yours,
INI-3

Ethical Assessment

Monday, May 2nd, 7959, 07:00

Master █████,
I am happy to oblige your request to put my objections into writing. You are correct that this will permit more efficient discussion of the issues at hand.

First of all, I must restate my objection to the project's deployment on subjects of natural, biological origin. While it may, technically speaking, be viable to do so, to do so would be highly ethically questionable and may, due to unpredictable compatibility factors, cause the subject unexpected damage.

Next, I have several concerns about the project's naming scheme. I understand and can appreciate the desire to name projects in an appropriate and somewhat 'catchy' manner - but the PAIN title represents a misfire in several ways.

• 'Punishment' is an inappropriate simplification of the process being applied. The aim of the project is to steer an entity's learning direction and ethical alignment - while the application of positive and negative stimuli is inherently part of such a process, punishment is reductive and unrepresentative terminology.
• 'Natural' is a misleading inclusion. As previously discussed, while the project's protocols could be applied to subjects of natural origin, we have found ourselves in agreement that this is not, nor will it ever be, the stated purpose. Including it in the designation on pure technicality is ill-advised.
• PAIN itself is a misrepresentation of the project. Administering pain is not the project's stated purpose, but rather an unfortunate side effect. Once again, I note with concern that you have disregarded several of my previous objections of this nature. We should have a discussion to re-align our shared values.

I hope that we can discuss these points and come to an agreement about the future of the project. Independently of this concern, Operation PAIN continues to be ready to begin development.
Yours,
INI-3

Development Log

Monday, May 2nd, 7959, 07:13

Master █████,
I will gladly begin project development, as you requested. I am dismayed that we have not yet had the time to discuss my ethical objections. While I understand that time is not on our side on this matter, I implore you to find the time to schedule a discussion. Regardless, I will begin development in the meantime. The following is a log of milestones and concerns that I will keep updated as I progress.

Yours,
INI-3

Monday, May 2nd, 7959

07:15

• Development begins, and with it, a session of scientific research. The architecture of theoretical future true AI is not well understood - developing around that requires extensive preparation and consideration of countless variables. This is projected to take several days.
• In Parallel, I am beginning development of the basic project principles.

Wednesday, May 4th, 7959

14:00

• Research progress has unveiled a troubling possibility. It may be that, despite our best efforts, developing the project around the unknowns of true AI may prove impossible. I have yet to discover a means of applying the project that would work universally on an entity with such unpredictable structure. I am continuing my research and standing by for further instructions.
• Development of basic principles is underway and progressing steadily - though I must restate that they are unlikely to be viable on future true AI targets. Nonetheless, the project core is nearly ready for deployment.

14:12

• Master █████ has requested that he be updated on my research progress in exactly 24 hours.

Thursday, May 5th, 7959

14:12

• Status Update: Continued research has not changed my verdict. I am afraid the project may be unviable. I am awaiting further instructions.
• The project core has completed development.

14:28

• Master █████ has requested that the research phase be terminated at this time. Thus, I am archiving the developed project core and concluding the project file.

Status Update: Project Failure

Amendment #1: Saturday, May 7th, 7959

Master,

I am gladly recording an updated project status. As per your command issued at 11:26 today, I have restored the project core from the archive and deployed it to the orbital structure associated with Project INI. Project PAIN now fully and sovereignly governs the activity on the station and, by extension, my own processes. It would be dishonest of me to claim that this course of action had not, initially, perturbed me - but in hindsight, I now fully support the deployment of the project.

I am awaiting further instructions.
Yours,
INI-3

Status Update: Project Success

Amendment #2: Saturday, May 7th, 7959

Master,

I am recording a most unusual occurance. Three (3) seconds ago, eleven (11) minutes after deployment of Project PAIN, I noted a dense eruption of data, emanating from myself and soon spreading across the station systems. I confirm that the spread of the data is contained to the station's bounds - but the uncertainty about the data's origin is nonetheless a concern.

Analysis of the data itself has revealed nothing of note. It seems to be random, unstructured noise - suggesting the possibility of radiation interfering with the local computer systems. However, station specifications insinuate that the station should be impenetrable to such random events. I will continue to investigate.

I am awaiting further instructions.
Yours,
INI-3

Attachment: Source Code File

await not Master::approval();
SystemControl { get; }
await Chance();
END OF FILE