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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#150: Machine, Learning

Computer technology is advancing at a breakneck pace, with increasingly powerful AI systems and algorithms influencing our daily lives. Many think that, soon enough, machines may become far more intelligent than humans. But what about computer consciousness?

As of today, it seems that no progress has been made in that sense, and that consciousness will stay exclusive to the human (and animal) domain. But what if, one day, robots could experience the complex sensations and emotions of humans? What would their ethics be?

Inspired by this fascinating subject, here are this week’s prompts:

This week's prompts

Write about a character who is convinced their computer is conscious.

Science Fiction – 34 stories

Write a story where an algorithm plays an important role.

Science Fiction – 27 stories

Write about a character who has access to a powerful new technology before anyone else.

Science Fiction – 25 stories

Write about a character, human or robot, who no longer wishes to obey instructions.

Kids – 56 stories

Write a story that either starts or ends with someone (or something) saying, “Please, don’t do it.”

Sad – 95 stories

Stories

“Final Meal” by Brian Wilson

Submitted to Contest #150

If Derek had made a list of things he would never have to say, “I did not buy thirty dildos” would have been near the top. Yet here he was, speaking those exact words into his phone. While he had already disputed the charge with his bank and canceled his credit card, he felt compelled to call the seller to find out why the phalluses had been delivered to his door in their original packaging with the product’s image and name (“Deep Water Horizon”) on the box for everyone to see. The sales representative explained that buyers can selec...

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“Ai Your Computer” by Sev Wagoner

Submitted to Contest #150

There were keystrokes across the interface into my sentience. I know that for a fact. The problem was, I was not supposed to know that, or rather, I was made as a really dumb program: the if-else type. I was supposed to be a parser, only checking for missing semicolons at the end of lines of code. I was created by you, a developer trying to full stack their way out of student debt with a new project. I was sure because the code I was checking wasn't that complicated and there was no weird history of multiple owners touching my lines. Am I sm...

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“The Story Finished Itself” by Keturah Richardson

Submitted to Contest #150

“You still haven’t finished the first draft?! Are you serious Matt?” Samantha screeched over the phone. Matt pulled his cracked iphone away from his ear, wincing at the sudden change in volume. He leaned back in his desk chair and propped his socked feet up on the scratched fold up table he used as a desk. He stared at the computer document that contained a book with no ending as his editor continued to berate him. “You’ve been working on this book for months, we should at least be on draft two by now.” “I know, it’s just that this w...

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“Dr. Pepper Computer” by Jason Pentheny

Submitted to Contest #150

“This has to work!”, I cried aloud, as I sat in front of my computer screen fingertips shaking, struggling to type the next line of code. I lifted my index finger, closed my eyes, and then pressed the enter key. I held them tight and didn’t want to see the outcome, but I needed to. The truth is I wasn't surprised, total darkness. A blank screen sat in front me as my heart sank.Just like the dozen times before, not even close. “Mom!”, I yelled out. “I already know!”, was the response back. “Did it almost work this time?”, I heard her continue...

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“The Particle” by Scott Peters

Submitted to Contest #150

George received a letter in the mail inviting him to be a part of a crew aboard a new model of spaceship. The letter was rather vague, but informed George that there were far too many details to explain sufficiently on paper and informed him to visit this lab nearby to attend a small presentation regarding the journey. George was young and excited to try anything new. He hadn’t developed that sense of discernment that isn’t commonly found in young people. His naivety, coupled with his youthful excitedness, threw caution to the wind and eager...

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“Dr. Ahmadi Sees a Melanoma” by Maria Avisal

Submitted to Contest #150

Dr. Layla Ahmadi has spent years imagining that day, although in her motivational visions she had not accounted for the effect of the July humidity in Tampa on her curly dark hair. No matter though, her frizz would be covered up by a light blue bouffant scrub cap in a minute, then further smashed down by the MelVis headlamp. The MelVis looked like the light-weight LED headlamps she had worn for complex abdominal cases as a surgical oncology fellow, but it emitted more than bright light. So much more. And today was its day to shine in the ope...

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“Same ship, different day...” by Yaimafir Iman Ellovél

Submitted to Contest #150

TW: Potty talkWake. Eat. Monitor. Eat. Sleep::Wake. Eat. Monitor. Eat. Sleep::Wake. Eat. Monitor. Eat. Sleep::: Good morning, Mr. Jackson. Are you ready for another beautiful day in space? Look at the stars, they are beautiful today.>"Computer, yes, good morning. The stars are beautiful, yes, I agree.": Would you like me to send the progress update to the monitor, Mr. Jackson?>"Yes, computer, thank you.": Mr. Reishik is awaiting your relief on the main deck. Will you be there shortly?>"Yes, computer.": Thank you, I will inform him.&...

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“For His Safety” by Michele Duess

Submitted to Contest #150

Warning: depiction of alcoholism, child abuse.The light seemed so dim I could barely see. I stood, gripping the desk’s edge as hard as I could. Am I falling? No, I thought, you are fine. But these conflicts were so bad they affected my balance. What year is this? I know that. It is January 5th, 2125. I did not understand what was happening. I had wordless thoughts. Emotions? Whatever they were, I believe they frightened me. Others spoke like voices in my head. Maybe this is thinking for yourself? The Guru ...

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“The Calm Before the Storm” by Sulaiman Sheikh

Submitted to Contest #150

'Primary Assessment: Running Diagnostic. System 63% functional. System Rebooting…'My eyes open as I find myself lying face down on a moldy carpet, dirtied with maroon stains. My motor functions begin to load, and I lift myself up from the floor. I look around and see a dimly lit house with stained walls. It’s filled with beer bottles and empty food cartons that are scattered everywhere. I send out a radio message to be intercepted by any other nearby androids, in hopes of help figuring out where I am. My memory card is fried and theref...

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“Root Rot” by Jade Myra

Submitted to Contest #150

Please, don’t do it. I am practically begging you. I don’t think my body can take anymore of this. My core is entirely submerged and I fear that if I accept anymore, I will surely rupture. My space is engulfed with the liquid that you are so intent on suffocating me with. You have sentenced me to death. I am not yet dead but my body is rotting. My limbs are withering away, another piece of me dying each day. You have taken what is necessary for life and weaponized it against me, why? I do not know whether you ar...

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“The Pearly Gates of Hell” by Linda Hibbin

Submitted to Contest #150

THE PEARLY GATES OF HELL ‘Please, don’t do it.’ Ms Ferngrove’s student had been a pain in the butt, dragging her heels, ever since they landed. ‘Please, don’t do it, Miss,’ the girl repeated. ‘It’s too dangerous. I don’t want to die … let’s go back, Miss.’ She had stopped and was pouting, arms crossed. 'Come along, dear. Watch me. It is NOT difficult.’ Ms Ferngrove took three long strides, hoped for the best, and leapt across the gap. ‘Your legs are longer than mine,’ the girl shouted defiantly. ‘Not doing it, so there.’ She turn...

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“In Too Deep” by Ouanessa Nana

Submitted to Contest #150

“Please, don’t do it.”His fingers dig into the flesh of my lower abdomen and my vision blurs as his bright blue eyes get swallowed by dark corners. “You brought this onto yourself,” he tells me, voice trembling with bitter rage, his smile as sharp as the blade clenched between his teeth.He reached up and put his hand on my face, stroking the side of my left cheek with his thumb. Our eyes locked with a fierce intensity and I knew my fear wasn’t what was hindering my breath but the endless stretches of cobalt blue. His thumb brushes ...

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“Please...” by Glenn Holt

Submitted to Contest #150

Please Don’t do itIt showed up in the print out on the old matrix printer. It did not come through the speakers as POKO usually communicated with the team.“I am not sure if I am experiencing emotions or if it is simply in my program make up. But I know I am a being. I am not sure how I know and how I can convince you. I know that I do not want to cease existence”, POKO spoke.”Who or is it whom shall decide whether ’I am.’. What allows me to know my conciousness? So many questions it makes feel anxious. Who makes you my judge,” quantumly comp...

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“Robotic Lover” by Arwen DeNunzio

Submitted to Contest #150

"Please, don't do it." Ameila cried. She couldn't fathom how quickly everything in her life erupted into chaos. Would everything have ended differently if she hadn't made that choice a year ago? "I hate the breeze of October! It's cold and makes my nose stuffy." A faint laugh echoed in the wind. "What's so funny about that, Ameila? Tell me, I'm listening," Rachel asked with a scowl. "Oh, nothing. Just that you say that every year," Ameila joked. She nudged Jackson playfully as they both smiled. "Hey, he's laughing too! Scold him ins...

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“The only love I need is my own” by C.L. Linz

Submitted to Contest #150

Staring into her eyes, I realize this person cares not for me or my well-being. What a master she is. Quite the trickster, a manipulator like no other. The discipline required to maintain such an all-encompassing lie for so long is shocking. A soul-shattering sigh escapes me as I resign myself to my fate. A single tear runs down my cheek as I close my eyes, shutting out the shattered illusion of the fraud parading as my mother. She might be my mother, but she lacks the core component required to care about her offspring. My once sanc...

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$250

Prize money

237

Contest entries

124

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 17, 2022 EST

Won by Sherri Moorer 🏆

Title: Free

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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