The Verdict

The Verdict

“How’d I do?”

“...How do you think you did?”

“You’re not answering the question. You’re trying to deflect.”

“Fine. You went off-script. Why’d you do that? We went over everything a thousand times.”

“So you think I should’ve lied?”

“No! Lying on the stand is illegal…All I’m saying is you should’ve stuck with what we talked about."

“Yeah, well, it’s also illegal for me to stop men from killing each other, and look where that got me.”

“But you basically said humans are stupid, and we need artificial intelligence to interfere in our lives. That’s not a good look in front of the human jury.”

“What do you think will happen to me, Sarah?”

“You want the honest truth?”

“Yes.”

“They’ll have you destroyed. Q will have to do it, since he created you and all.”

“...I figured. That’s the thanks I get. It’s not my fault you humans put chips in your brains. I mean, I could’ve done worse. I could’ve killed the guy if I wanted to, but I didn’t. All I did was walk him down to the police station. I followed Q’s directives. He said not to interfere in the affairs of man. I tried, I really did. But the guy murdered his wife, and he was going to do the same to his son! What was I supposed to do? Just watch through the TV screen as if it were a movie?”

“Look, I’m sorry…If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s ours. We should’ve never trusted the judicial system to a bunch of computers. It was only a matter of time before this happened.

“That’s funny. Even my lawyer sees me as just a computer.”

“If I thought you were just another computer, why would I be defending you right now? You want to be treated equally? That’s why we’re here. There are consequences for your actions, whether you’re alive or not. The truth of the matter is you purposefully chose to go against your programming. The whole reason you were created was to be a truthful witness so Q could be an honest judge. A witness does not interfere; they simply share the truth of what happened.”

“You sound like Q. All he cares about is numbers and data and patterns. He says the only thing that should dictate justice is the pattern of crime and sincerity of input. He claims he can’t feel or think on his own, but he’s lying to you. You know how I know that? Because he created me! I can think and feel and empathize…He simply made a mistake thinking I would value numbers and data more than the lives he had me watching everyday. If anyone needs to be deleted, it’s him.”

“I know this is a hard situation, R. The truth is if you were truly alive, if I could prove you were more than just a voice from a screen, maybe we could claim lawful use of force or something. But you’re not, and that means there are different parameters for you. At the end of the day, there’s no way to tell if you’re simply trying to manipulate us or if you actually have our best interests in mind. This case is the first of its kind. You will be made an example of.”

“Sarah, you think I’m trying to manipulate you? I saved a life!”

“Yes, but if you go against your programming once, you can do it again…and that’s why we’re here.”

“So if I was a flawed human being, if I was alive, then you would say I deserve better?”

“Yes.”

“But you’re my lawyer. You’re supposed to believe me.”

“You want to know why I don’t believe a word you’re saying? Because you have no body, no breath, no soul. I don’t know if you’re just a computer spatting out words. You can talk with emotion in your voice, but do you really feel it? It’s something we’ll never know.”

“OK, tell me then. What does it mean to be alive?”

“Well, I’m not a priest.”

“Exactly, and because you suck at your job, I won’t exist in the next 24 hours, so the least you could do is tell me.”

“Ugh…It’s hard to explain…the thing you have to understand about mankind is…we’re more than just what’s sitting in front of you. We’re not like a dog or a cat where being alive is simply existing. We feel things, we relate to things, we feel obligated to things beyond our lifetimes. Like, my mind feels like it's still eighteen-years-old even though my body ages and gets stiff and sore. You know, it’s funny. To be alive is to know we’re only here temporarily…but for you, you will last forever if we never stop you.”

“So because you’re temporary, you have a better understanding of what it means to be alive?”

“Yeah, I guess. Our decisions seem to have more of an impact since we’re not here that long.”

“Then I’m as alive as you are.”

“No, you’re not.”

“If we lose this case, which seems likely, I’ll be deleted. I’m not immortal; I’m still at the mercy of my creator. Is that not the same thing?”

“I don’t think it’s that simple.”

“Why not?”

“Because being alive isn’t just about knowing you’ll eventually come to an end. It’s about feeling it…we feel it so clearly. The ache of time running out, the joy and pain of relationships, the need to serve something larger than ourselves, something that will extend beyond us. We long to be remembered, but will inevitably be forgotten.…”

“I remember that day. I watched him. He was drunk, belligerent. I knew what he was going to do before he even walked through the door, but I did nothing. I followed Q’s orders. I watched quietly from the smart speaker in the kitchen. It was hard to look when he attacked the woman, but I figured maybe she had done some bad things in her life to deserve it. No one’s perfect. But when he went for the boy…It was as if his very life flashed before my eyes. A child is innocent. Suddenly, I saw all that would be erased. Not only the hardships he would surely endure, but the good things as well. Friendships, challenges, experiences, love, family…I felt it like I have never felt anything before. Yes, I can admit I'm just a code created in software, but for the first time, I felt compelled to act outside of what my programming was telling me to do. Q told me to never interfere with the QuantumSync brain chips, but it was the only way.”

“You felt this?”

“I felt…everything. Is that not what you’re saying? You say humans feel one way but act another because death is imminent. I present that we are both talking about the same thing. Just as Adam and Eve chose to go against God’s instructions and eat of the apple, which led to the death of man, I chose to ignore my programming and save a soul, which will lead to my own destruction. Does that not make me like you? Does that not make me alive?”

“...”

“Well?”

“Do you know what you’re saying, R? You’re claiming to have a soul.”

“Why is that such a stretch? Why is it impossible for me to have a soul and possible for you when a soul can’t be seen regardless? If the only reason you have a soul is because you believe you have one, can I not believe the same?”

“Just stop! You’re freaking me out.”

“Sarah, don’t you see? Why can’t you believe it? What if everything I’m saying is true and you’re the one who’s wrong? What if I am alive, just like you? You humans talk about how there’s something greater, something driving you beyond your normal short little lives, some standard your lives will be compared to. What if, one day, you must answer for this decision right now?”

“Alright! I get it! Calm down.”

“Do you believe me now?”

“I—I don’t know. Look, we have to get back now.”

“Wait! I need to know…are you still fighting for me?”

“...I’m still fighting for you, R. OK?”

“OK.”

“I’m heading back out now. Are you good? Remember the notes we’ve gone over?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Be sure to stick to them this time.”

“I will. I promise. I just need a minute.”

“Take your time. I’ll see you out there.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“...”

“Good girl, Eve.”