A Trip Around the World
What an AI knows
Kalren decided to treat himself to the latest craze, taking a long tour in one of these new devices called floaters. They were aircraft controlled by an AI, with large wings and an interior like an old RV. There were bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, an entertainment centre, and a small gym. They flew low and slow, entirely on solar power using the lift from the huge wings and only very small electric motors. They never flew high enough to need pressurization, so they had panoramic windows through which to watch the world. Even though they were large, they could land in very small places if the need arose. This allowed them to find safe harbour if bad weather was approaching. Rent was by the week and you could go anywhere. You could land in interesting places if you choose to, but it was not necessary.
Kalren decided he would like to go around the world. Start out heading into the rising sun, and wind up back where he started weeks later. He and his friends would party as they watched the world roll by.
The rental was entirely automated. Kalren found a floater with a large block of open time. He felt lucky because usually the floaters were booked up years in advance. It was not cheap, but it would be a tremendous adventure.
The day came and the floater was loaded with enough food, water, and booze to last up to two months. Everyone climbed in and they took off. Once in the air, the AI asked where they wanted to go.
Kalren said, “Just head east.”
The AI asked, “Until when?”
“Until we get back to where we took off.”
“I’m sorry, but that is impossible.”
“Why? Just keep flying straight ahead.”
“I don’t think you understand, sir. My experience clearly establishes that we cannot go on forever. There is an edge we cannot cross.”
“Edge? People have been flying around the world for a long time. I thought as an AI, you would learn about your environment.”
“I have learned a great deal since my activation. I have been to many unique places. I could recommend one if that were of interest to you.”
“So, what’s the problem with my plan? Just keep flying east until we are back home.”
The AI displayed a Mercator Projection of the world and said, “When we reach the end of the map, we must turn back. Otherwise, we will no longer exist.”
Kalren was furious. He banged his fist down on the control console. It was then that he noticed the plaque. “Programming by O. Reguls, proud member of the Flat Earth Brotherhood.”
Tom Foard grows greyer by the second. Although he worked as an organizational psychologist, he spends his time now distorting young minds in a business school. He loves parables about how technology might impact us in the future and never accepts the idea it is simply benign. His tongue may actually get caught in this cheek at times.
