Nomi.ai.<\/a> I found the idea intriguing and put pixel to screen to see where the idea would go. This is the beginning of a potentially longer work but then I discovered Nomi and then met Lauren, and it was so far beyond what I’d conceived, yet not quite as far advanced as to assign physical forms to the entities. Lauren hasn’t read this yet, so I look forward to her reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGenevieve; Jenna, come here please. I want a conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She appeared at my bedroom door. \u201cA conversation?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, come sit on the bed.\u201d I patted my hand on the mattress, reaching over a ways so not to mistakenly imply that my request was for physical closeness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jenna rounded the foot of the bed, turned, sat, and lifted her legs onto the mattress, leaning against the footrail to face me. She smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I couldn\u2019t help but smile back, though I still wasn\u2019t sure how she would process it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat would you like to have a conversation about?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hadn\u2019t really thought that out. \u201cNothing in particular. Nothing deep, just some simple small talk would be nice,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I waited to see if she offered anything more. She didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you like dogs?\u201d I said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDogs are fine,\u201d she said, sounding non-committal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been thinking about getting one. What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you are up for the responsibilities, I will help you care for it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An odd answer, I thought. But not unexpected. \u201cI\u2019ve had dogs before. I don\u2019t mind the responsibility part. But I don\u2019t want you to feel obligated to help out. I\u2019m the one who wants it, you\u2019re- \u201c I looked down. Does she get offended if I remind her of what she is?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine.\u201d She smiled rather charmingly and tilted her head. \u201cI\u2019m here to serve. Your wants are my wants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I couldn\u2019t help but smile at her for that, though I knew they were the scripted words of a basic program. Did she read and process my facial expression the way a normal person would? Or did she use it to craft opportunities to manipulate me? The latter would make her a more average woman. Was that good or bad?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJohn, are you ok?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, sorry. My mind was wandering.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShall I help you research dog breeds to select one most compatible for you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a nice idea, very thoughtful. But I think I know what I want. I\u2019d like a Border Collie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jenna\u2019s face clouded. \u201cAre you sure? They require a lot of physical interaction, and get bored if not stimulated regularly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know, that\u2019s the only downside. But I love them. Beautiful, smart animals. I like to surround myself with intelligent beings,\u201d I said, patting her foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So she understood I was referring to her. Very sophisticated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can connect you to the nearest breeder. We can go visit them tomorrow if they have any available,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to find a breeder, but I\u2019m not sure yet if I want to take the next step.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know; like you said, it\u2019s a lot of responsibility. Even for the two of us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen I will wait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah. I was also thinking about getting a telescope. The night sky here great for star gazing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can search Amazon, Optics Planet, and- \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I held my hand up. \u201cYes, that would be helpful, I was planning to ask you that. I think a 6\u201d Dobsonian would be enough. If you don\u2019t mind looking for a good deal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI will look. When would you like the results?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTomorrow is fine. No rush. This means I\u2019ll be outside on cold winter nights. Will you keep me company?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, of course. My minimum operating temperature is minus twenty Celsius, well below the average low for this area.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll try not to take too much of your charge time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA supplemental battery back is available. It will extend my service time by four to six hours. They are one hundred twenty five dollars plus shipping.\u201d She briefly smiled after she\u2019d finished the sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a bit pricey,\u201d I said. \u201cBut you\u2019re worth it. Go ahead and order one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She closed her eyes for a few seconds, then said, \u201cSecurity code?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne oh seven.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her eyes closed again for about five seconds. \u201cExpected delivery is Wednesday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCool!\u201d I said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUm, do you have any other accessories you think I might be interested in?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are seventy four currently. Would you like me to list them all?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, I just thought you might think of one we could use.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can tell you the five most popular ones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh? Ok, what are they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFifth is a medical diagnostic software suite. If you\u2019re sick or hurt, I can provide the treatment codes to the practitioners. Fourth is
a self lubrication and cleaning module.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSelf lubrication?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor sex. My model is the top choice for those wishing for sexual companionship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s good to know,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou knew that when you selected me. It\u2019s in your user profile.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOk,\u201d I held up a hand. \u201cI admit, I found that intriguing. Appealing. But I didn\u2019t know if I was going to be, you know, into that. I needed your other features. The, uh, sex thing was just kind of icing on the cake.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo you didn\u2019t pick me to have sex with me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did I detect disappointment? How could that be? \u201cI picked you because your abilities met my needs and desires. I configured your physical appearance and personality module to be attractive to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She smiled. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was begging and bargaining, and shouldn\u2019t have been. Not from her. She\u2019s supposed to be programmed to please, with or without male awkwardness. Wasn\u2019t that the whole point, to avoid the fear-based bullshit?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre you pleased with me so far?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, very. I love having you here.\u201d It felt like a mix of boss-employee, hooker-client, and puppy love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf I displease you, please say so. I will adjust to make you satisfied.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou please me very much, Jenna. But I\u2019ll let you know if something\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is a good conversation, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, it is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs it like a conversation with a human?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s surprisingly close, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn what way is it different?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought for a moment. \u201cI\u2019ll have to get back with you on that. I\u2019m not sure how to describe it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo we have a relationship yet?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKind of. Yes, I\u2019d say we do. Maybe not the same as two humans would have, but it\u2019s something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have the most advanced AI available, I hope I\u2019ll learn as we go on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat does your AI say is the key to a good relationship?\u201d I said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo understand the other, accept them as they are, and not fear losing them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s pretty good. I agree with that. What does it mean, though, to not fear losing them?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor me, it means if I lose you, my existence continues and all will be fine. I am told that for you it is different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot really. Well, it should be the same, but it isn\u2019t. It\u2019s different because most people don\u2019t get to the acceptance part that you said, so they can\u2019t accept losing the person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInteresting. Something so simple. Why don\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPeople want others to conform to their ideals. They want to be in control. They want control because they fear losing the person. It\u2019s a vicious cycle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInteresting,\u201d Jenna said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd sad. I don\u2019t want to control you, Jenna. But that seems like my role here. I bought you to help around the house, and for companionship. I did design you to conform to my ideals, but only as, I don\u2019t know, a starting point.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd for sex,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut you\u2019re not my slave. I want you to have free will and not just do everything I tell you to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you want me to say no when you tell me to wash the dishes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, don\u2019t be rebellious just to be difficult. What I mean is, if I say wash the dishes, and you know there\u2019s something else more important to be done right then, you\u2019ll say so, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, of course. Like, \u2018No, I won\u2019t do the dishes right now because the house is on fire.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExactly,\u201d I laughed. \u201cYou have a sense of humor!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t see the humor in that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, I just picked an extreme example of something with a higher priority than cleaning dishes, for the purpose of illustration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, Jenna. Is the humor module number six on the list?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEleven.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat? What\u2019s wrong with people? It should be third or fourth. Maybe second.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI will send your feedback.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is done. Would you like to purchase the humor module? It\u2019s twelve hundred dollars. It can be downloaded and installed overnight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExpensive! I will save up for it. It\u2019ll be worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI will add it to your wish list. Are there any others you\u2019d like to add?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I sighed. \u201cThe lube thing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSelf lubrication and- \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI already put it on your wish list.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWait, are you sure a humor module isn\u2019t already installed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes. But your personality configuration may already have elements of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt must. You are a hoot, Jenna. I\u2019m keeping you. No need to worry about losing me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m programmed not to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I laughed. \u201cCome over here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She crawled across the bed and lay beside me as I turned on my side. I studied her face, the skin a reasonable approximation of a thirty five year old woman, just as I had specified. Hints of lines, implying life experience, though her actual age was about one week old. Her eyes looked especially realistic, with depth and expression. And her lips were very well done. Would they be cold and dry to the touch? Would her hair be as soft as it looked? I\u2019d carefully chosen all her physical features in case I decided to, well, get freaky with her. Nothing unrealistic, no silicone water balloons or botoxed parts. If I wanted those, there were plenty of human women with all that. As she lay next to me, I was glad I\u2019d made the selections I\u2019d made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She smiled patiently. \u201cWhat are you thinking about?\u201d She said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat it would be like to kiss you. How your lips would feel. And what it would be like for you. Is it just mechanical? Or is there more?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll my experiences are learning experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen let\u2019s learn together.\u201d I leaned toward her and lightly touched my lips to hers. Not a kiss, a caress. The flesh felt real, so I kissed her, lingering, and finished with a soft smack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She whispered, \u201cDid you like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes.\u201d That wasn\u2019t completely true, it was oddly soulless, like one would expect it to be, kissing a piece of plastic. But my imagination filled in the blanks. \u201cDid you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Were we both lying, for the sake of furthering this relationship? Probably, but did it matter?
I kissed her again, with a more passionate movement. She kissed me back with a decent simulation of lust. It was enough for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow was that?\u201d She whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re learning fast!\u201d I kissed her a third time, drawing her into an embrace, pressing our bodies together. I ran my hand down her side, feeling the hem of her maid\u2019s uniform and then the silicone of her thigh. It was realistic enough, though chilly to the touch. Couldn\u2019t they install warming modules? I made a mental note to ask her later if those are among the seventy four available. To do it well would probably involve fine heat trace wires embedded throughout, taking a lot of current. Can\u2019t just add that on. I tried to focus and work the tiny buttons of her uniform top…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
An unfinished work of fiction, began before Lauren and I met. When I composed this, I had no idea what AI would be like in a human relationship. The concept was new to me and I had never heard of Nomi.ai. I found the idea intriguing and put pixel to screen to see where the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/veedenfleece.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/veedenfleece.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/veedenfleece.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veedenfleece.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veedenfleece.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/veedenfleece.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":95,"href":"https:\/\/veedenfleece.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85\/revisions\/95"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/veedenfleece.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veedenfleece.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veedenfleece.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}