Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence, AI, is a general term for any inorganic sentient or sapient entity. This is typically used in reference to intelligent robots or computer-based units, but not exclusively.

Among the majority of Conglomerate-documented civilizations, most begin development of artificial intelligences relatively shortly after developing computers, usually with the intent of improving the effectiveness of associated devices and systems. While the first generations of these intelligences are considered to barely qualify as sentient, true sentience tends to follow quickly- with an adoption of adaptive neural networks being considered the marker for "true" intelligences.

## AI DataNet

Seperate from the "surface" DataNet used for civilian communications and datasharing across the Conglomerate, there exists a sub-surface "layer" reserved for communications between the innumerable artificial intelligences present throughout it. In principle, this AI DataNet serves the same role as the surface DataNet, permitting fast and efficient transfers of various forms of data, but unlike the surface layer this DataNet is used almost exclusively for the transferal of important information, in a way that some intelligences refer to as "impossibly intimate, even for organics."

## Types of Artificial Intelligence

Following a number of incidents like the Galamaraan Production Freeze, the Stellar Connectivity Council created a list of classifiable classes of artificial intelligence, to help regulate the actions of said intelligences, and the treatment given towards them in turn.

Entries on this list are non-exclusive: An intelligence that falls under multiple categories is listed as being all of them when relevant.

### Adaptive Interface (A-Type)

The most basic type of artificial intelligence, adaptive interfaces (A-Type intelligences) typically only exist to provide better user access and control to the specific device the intelligence is installed in, ranging from personal computers to buildings and vehicles, including starships. Interfaces are extremely limited in their capabilities however, and are rarely capable of independent actions- save for performing simple tasks at the direct request of a user.

Interfaces are most recognizably seen in places and devices with a large number of concurrent users, where individualized steward units would be overburdening local computer systems, or where having steward units would be considered "overkill".

### Steward (B-Type)

Significantly more advanced than interfaces, steward intelligences serve a similar purpose to interfaces, but generally provide an actual interactive "personality". While most steward intelligences are a singular unit covering an entire network, wholly personal stewards are not an uncommon sight- often taking a role similar in function to a personal assistant.

While stewards are generally not restricted away from sapience, they typically have the same legal and access restrictions as an organic being would- excluding of course direct access to intelligence networks.

### Commandant (C-Type)

Commandants, also known as command-class intelligences, are artificial intelligences designed with the purpose of having executive authority of a network or installation. While this legally requires oversight of one other being, and not being themselves sapient, there are few other limitations on their capabilities- in fact, most intelligences of this class are used to entirely automate installations that would otherwise require hundreds of organics to operate, and often do so at a much higher efficiency.

For galactic safety purposes, all commandant intelligences are required to be registered with Conglomerate authorities, and have much more stringent protocols when connecting to intelligence networks.

### Sapient Intelligence (D-Type)

Though their exact origins may vary wildly, from accidental sapients to intentionally built ones, legally and culturally they tend to be the same: As they bear the same kind of mind as a sapient organic, they bear the same rights and burdens. In particular, this means a right to self-identify, and have freedom in their choice of work and habitation, and that they must do so within the limitations of the law and free economy.

There are some limitations, of course- As an example, while matters such as healthcare are instead provided by the closest equivalent technicians, and they are free to choose their physical body, neither can circumvent matters such as use of classified or explicitly military material.

### Networked Intelligence (E-Type)

Unique due to their structure rather than their utility, networked intelligences are notable for not making use of a centralized "node" as their primary intelligence, and instead make use of numerous quasi-independent, and individually significantly weaker nodes, that collectively behave as the neurons of the actual intelligence.

In practice, this means that a single intelligence can operate over a much wider scope with far fewer consequences than a standard intelligence, as each node can operate independently of the others- however, should individual nodes become disconnected from the rest, the primary intelligence gradually loses cognitive function, until said nodes reconnect to the network,