He folds his arms, head tilted upwards towards a future only he sees. “The AI maps a pattern in genetic adaptation which we can direct. Why care what it’s made of? What’s important is what it does.”
Of course, I’ll lose, but I fight my corner. “Perhaps if we understood every tiny detail, this might not matter. But the flap of butterfly wings in the Amazon may cause Kansas tornados.”
He smiles that insufferable smile. “So you say, but really you’re invoking the soul. Almost none of the atoms from birth survive, but I’m still me. We’re safe to proceed.”
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
Say aye to AI!
Well-narrated sci-fi story.
May be reality soon…
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Thanks so much, Anita
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I’m sure those words are going to come back and bite him in the proverbial posterior. A thought-provoking tale for our times.
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Thanks so much, Sandra. I fear you’re right
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Professor Detail meets Professor Reckless. Professor Blinkered and Headstrong is probably in there too, aiding and abetting.
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Nicely put. Thanks so much, Jilly
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Love Jilly’s reply because it sums it up so very well.
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Thanks so much, Dale
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My pleasure.
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Famous last words just before everything gets irrevocably effed up. They say the devil has horns and a pitchfork, but more often they wear insufferable smiles.
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And have an over-rated notion of their competence, yes
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Yesterday locally I watched an Ai guided machine sorting medications, it was frighteningly fast, I thanked my lucky stars that the machine had it own enclosed room..
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Fast, but not yet a threat
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A Sci-fi story that may soon be truth. Well done.
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Thanks so much
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Yes, that’s the issue – the old butterfly effect. I fear there definitely is a tornado on the way. ‘Genetic adaptation’? Yikes. Chilling story.
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Thanks so much, Margaret
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Presidents, politicians and governments will be pushed aside by AI in time. Is that a bad thing?
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And all will be for the best in the best of all possible worlds
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No.I don’t think so.
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Dear Neil,
Of all of our advance technology AI is the one that frightens me the most.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can understand why (this answer was brought to you by ChatGPT)
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Obviously he’s not only insufferable but also a fool. Sadly those are the ones who give the directions. Brave New World is just around the corner.
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Or maybe Ragnarok
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When practicle meets the hypothetical. Interesting story, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Bill
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A leap into the unknown without exercising caution or insight is … apocalyptic methinks. Good one, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Dora
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Ooooo interesting piece. Makes you think which is the perfect outcome for reading, right? I wonder which way it will go?
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If it makes you think, my work here is done. My own view is that the butterfly effect will be a problem
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I think you are spot on!
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As we heard in every Star Wars movie: “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
Nicely done, Neil.
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Thanks so much
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Jilly nailed it. I can’t put it any better 🙂
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Thanks so much, Linda
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Pride and arrogance before a fall.
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Or before The Fall
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Famous last words – it will come back to bite 🙌
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I fear so
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Great story, Neil and as much as I was intrigued by the AI aspects, I was really taken by this line: “Almost none of the atoms from birth survive, but I’m still me.” Very intriguing. I have been reflecting on a comment a friend posted on FB recently about celebrating who you are and embracing your differences. It sounded great at first, but what if some of your behaviour traits are problematic or worse? I have been thinking about how we are constantly being refined by the world around us, our own self-awareness and are a work-in-progress. Yet, at the same time, there is something which is uniquely and beautifully us despite, as you say, all our cells changing. However, I would hope our DNA would at least stay somewhat the same. However, there are situations where it does change such as people who have had bone marrow transplants and end up with two lots of DNA in their system. Fascinating stuff.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Thanks so much, Rowena. In most of our cells the DNA is, of course, dividing, so it too is soon not made of the atoms that were there at birth.
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Indeed, even our birthmarks have ben superseded by new cells.
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I I have little grasp about AI- its used to mean Artificial Insemination few years ago. I cant keep up with ne terms, but this is interesting, Indeed when practical meets hypothetical. A thought-provoking piece.
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Thanks so much, Fleur
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Never fear, AI is here.
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This one really makes you think.
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If evil comes in the form of banality, tragedy often comes in the form of honest mistakes
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Interesting tale. It feels like one of those we could, but should we situations. And most likely he will.
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Almost certaintly he will
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