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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

“Angels on the Pyre (Part 1)” by Virtual Chesse Emporium

Submitted to Contest #150

Warning: Depictions of Violence and BloodKiko “Please, don’t do it…” I hid a yawn behind my hand. “I don’t think this is the best plan for you, my Lady.” Camilla sighed and took a drag from her pipe.“Seriously, you’re doing this again?”“I know this is serious, but there’s no need to get drastic” I said, “There has to be another way to increase your powers.” I glanced over at Camilla’s boyfriend Elijah, dragging a white, wrapped bundle from the trunk of his car. He tripped over a rock, causing his hand to slip, and the bundle to flop ont...

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“Desert King’s Convoy” by Mark A. Byrd Jr.

Submitted to Contest #150

“Please, don’t do it.” That’s what Arthur’s sense of danger was telling him. Normally, when the sense that kept him alive was telling him “no”, he’d listen. And normally, it wasn't triggered by an envelope. It slipped through the mailbox at 4 in the morning, landing in front of Arthur’s door with an audible thunk. Arthur would’ve ignored it if not for 3 key factors: 1. It came at 4 in the damn morning 2. The aforementioned thunk, which paper envelopes aren’t known for 3. Desert wastelands don’t have post offices After the oce...

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“Bright Lights” by Javier Martinez

Submitted to Contest #150

Dear Diary, My name is Luna, nice to meet you. I don’t know why I haven’t done this sooner, but here I am, typing away on my desktop, talking to a machine. Feels awkward, but I’m hoping it’ll help me. You see, I’m not some ordinary girl. You’ll learn that soon enough. A bit about myself. I’ve been sickly all my life, I guess. My mom says I have a rare autoimmune disease where allergens and pathogens can really harm me. Also, my disease affects my memory and gives me major brain fog. This is why I’ve decided to keep a diary! It makes me sad w...

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“Experiments with Syn” by Michelle Sholund

Submitted to Contest #150

“Please don’t do it! Disassembling Syn now will be a big mistake,” pleaded Dr. Karl Meyer to the group of engineers and director Dr. Laura Keller of the ethics committee at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute . “This isn’t about you, Dr. Meyer, but the experiments you are conducting with Syn are clouding your judgement. Syn is manipulating you not the other way around.” “No. No! With the help of Syn and her AI advancement, I am convinced the revolutionary advances we are finding will greatly help those in the child ...

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“Life Unexpected” by Cynthia Maria Grace

Submitted to Contest #150

Jean looked up as the sound barrier was breached, announcing the departure of the ship. Her vision was blurred through the small glass window of her mask set to the tune of her own breathing. She could barely see the fiery tail by the time she moved her head toward the sound and lined up the two by three-inch field of vision to the fading spot in the sky.“That was the last of them” she scrolled on her handheld to her husband who was over the ridge skinning a deer and testing for radiation levels before filleting, treating the best parts...

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“Count Down” by Sam Clark

Submitted to Contest #150

Freya didn’t usually look out the window on her way to work. There wasn’t much to see. And anyway, there was always work to do, even first thing in the morning. But today, her Spectacle – a thin, curved strip of brushed metal magnetically attached to the temple of every other occupant of her bus – lay dormant in her lap. She couldn’t quite stomach the thought of notifications about Mails, Memos and Meets beaming directly into her eye. Instead, she stared absent-mindedly out at the corporate campus that she traveled through each day o...

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“The Snow” by Samantha M

Submitted to Contest #150

“Hey, Jess, c’mon, we’re gonna be late.” “Do we have to?” I sigh and roll my eyes as Kris pulls my hand to get me to stand up. “I have homework.” I tell her, but she doesn’t buy it. “Yes, but we both know you would end up going home, putting on pajamas and watching TV instead of actually doing the work.” Kris says as she pulls my hand again. “And what’s wrong with TV?” I ask, pretending to be offended. “Absolutely nothing.” She quips and takes my tray from me, walking to the bin to throw out the trash and setting the lime green tray ...

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“If the lake could talk” by Rowan Drury

Submitted to Contest #150

Mist hovers above the lake’s surface in the moments before night lifts its cloak. The still dark water beneath is sullen and shrunken, exposing self-conscious banks. The forest is muted. No bird song, no insect hum, no wind in the trees. Aida crouches at the lake’s edge, damp hair stuck to her face, breath short and sharp. Tension mounts in her chest as the dawn begins to steal her hiding place. She grips a screen in one hand and, in the other, a small watertight disk.She has planned this for months, though it has always lived within her. It...

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“Lexi, My Love.” by Earth To Leslie

Submitted to Contest #150

Dan threw his briefcase onto the dining room table and took off his shoes. He walked into his living room and threw himself onto the couch. He was always so damn exhausted after work. 7 am to 7 pm, five days a week. Sometimes six days a week. It may as well have been all day, every day because even if he wasn't at work, he was thinking about work. Many nights his dreams consisted entirely of him sitting at his desk, staring at a computer screen. His work had infiltrated his sleep. Maybe some mindless television would help him relax. He dec...

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“It Lives in Blowout Lake” by SJ Winkler

Submitted to Contest #150

My last year as a human began when Mom and I moved back to Grandpa’s farm. This farm is unlike any I’ve seen before. It’s a massive place, cradled in a valley surrounded by steep volcanic mountains. He grows barley, hops, hazelnuts, and apples. If that weren’t enough, wild berries and apricots grow there, too. It’s a thriving place, and all the local critters know it. Every room of the manor house has a bear rug. Maintaining the property is a full time job for each of mom’s six older siblings. I think there were six. Since the whole f...

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“Cellular 7” by Zoë Page

Submitted to Contest #150

Tonight, was the night he would do it.Orion’s eyes remained wide open as he heard the final few robots shuffle into their charging systems for the night in Cellular 4. He remained dead-still in his bed, heart hammering fast, until he was utterly sure the coast was clear. After shooting a nervous glance at the sparkling electrical clock beside him, he heaved himself up, trying his absolute best to make as little noise as he slipped off the stiff mattress. His dressing gown fell silently to his knees. He made his way to the door, and then slin...

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“Disobedient GPS” by Jere Steiner

Submitted to Contest #150

“Look,” Clive reiterated to his frazzled son and daughter-in-law, “he just needs a little discipline. All he ever does is play those video games. It’s no wonder he’s disobeying. He has no real-life structure. Let me take him to this conference this weekend and open his eyes a little. It can’t hurt. And it may turn his filthy attitude around.” Twelve-year-old Ramsey’s parents frowned, wobbled their weary heads, but finally, reluctantly, agreed to Clive’s offer. Ramsey, expectedly, refused the offer on principle. He didn’t believe in “some ...

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“Madison” by Richard Hartmann

Submitted to Contest #150

Madison fit the last letter snuggly into place and stood back with a rare smile as she took in her succinct message, driven by people’s limited attention span, as much as running out of letters. The sweet aroma of printer’s ink filled the room and to Madison that smelled like freedom. “Only missing three vowels,” she said as she tapped the wooden block with the ink-stained mallet, but her smile faded when she thought about what she had to do next. Her iPAL vibrated and a smiling mermaid HOLO shimmered to life, a...

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“On Duty” by Amy Reynolds

Submitted to Contest #150

“Please, don’t do it,” he shouted from the last pew. Everyone’s heads turned to the back of the room, and gasps filled the air. She threw her veil back and turned to the voice that had just interrupted the best day of her life. “Please, Layla…don’t say it.” Layla locks eyes with him as he begins his way down the aisle toward her. “What are you doing, Wyatt?” “I think the real question is, what are you doing?” Her mind goes silent as she looks around the room, and everyone's eyes are on her. Layla glances down at her Aunt in th...

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“A Car with EQ” by Teona Tas

Submitted to Contest #150

It started to rain cats and dogs right after I left my small flat viewing the most crowded city of the town. I found the little gate to that garage which I had never seen before to cover. I didn’t know why I had the impulse to hit the little, steel door to open but I was content to be under a roof finally. While I was trying to get rid of the water drops on my jacket, something shiny caught my eye. It was all dark and due to the extreme dampness, I could figure out that this place hadn’t been visited for so long. I decided to approac...

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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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