Skynet Skynet , AI project number 59234 , is an artificial intelligence computer that manages the Sierra Army Depot in the year 2241 . Background . According to itself , Skynet , a self - aware computer , was conceived and developed in the year 2050 through the use of alien technology . In the year 2081 , 4 years after the Great War , Skynet became self - aware . In 2120 Skynet was given a new set of instructions and then abandoned by its makers . Skynet ' s records are most likely partially or entirely incorrect . According to other sources , Skynet became self - aware in 2075 . It also was not created as early as 2050 , since the first artificial intelligence was made in 2059 . However since it was created using alien technology , it ' s quite likely to have been a military research project and any records of it were classified and then changed to prevent anyone from learning its origin . Skynet is bored with administering the depot by 2241 , it having been 164 years since there was any real activity on base . It seeks to travel and learn about the world . Assuming the player character can complete a small quest to acquire a body for Skynet to download itself into , it will join the Chosen One as a companion . Skynet left the Chosen One and began to travel west into the wasteland , looking for terminals and data to acquire more knowledge , collect more data , and perhaps " settle down " in a mainframe . The frame he was in , and the brain he had could only store so much information , and AIs need more data storage space to grow in order to evolve . It is possible he made his way to the Glow . Interactions with the player character . Acquiring Skynet . Acquiring Skynet requires several items on the Chosen One ' s part to activate what will become Skynet ' s body ( see main article ) . Skynet will be recruited as a companion , assuming there is room . Abilities . When installed with the cybernetic brain , Skynet is proficient with large pistols ( 14mm & . 223 pistols ) , SMGs , rifles and shotguns . Crucially , this means that it can use the M72 Gauss rifle and fire two shots per turn . Skynet also attacks in melee combat with its arms , and can use Unarmed weapons , such as the Mega power fist , with lethal efficiency . It compensates for its inability to wear armor with a steel structure giving it protection equal to combat armor . Curiously , this means that Skynet , unlike its fellow robobrains , cannot be harmed by pulse grenades . Skynet can also instantly repair all damage to itself outside of combat ( via a dialogue option , like other NPCs ) , however , it has no way of healing itself ( or being healed by the Chosen One ) during combat . As a robot , stimpak s naturally have no effect on it and cannot be healed with First Aid or Doctor skills . It is possible , however , to heal Skynet through Repair ( works like First Aid ) . Skynet ' s main weakness is its inability to be healed during combat , however , when fully leveled up , it compensates for this by having the highest number of Hit Points of all recruitable NPCs in " Fallout 2 " . Skynet can also carry 225 pounds of equipment . When exploring the Sierra Army Depot , Skynet will automatically deactivate security systems on each floor upon entering them , a rather moot point , since acquiring it as an non - player character forces exploring every floor anyway . Statistics . Notes : These statistics are only applicable to Skynet installed with the cybernetic brain . Appearances . Skynet appears only in " Fallout 2 " . Behind the scenes . Skynet is named after the computer antagonist of the .