‘…the child islearning to associate the picture of a cow (symbol) with “moo”(the sound that it makes) … which is exactly what they will be doing in about 4-5 years when they match letters (symbols) with their sounds, aka learn to read.’
“Thank you, Samantha. It is a fascinating concept. I will add it to my list of discussions to have with Dr. Jones.”
I’m not sure how a walk-and-play will help the AI solve crimes but, hey, who knows? Maybe someday, a murderer will kick a plastic lawn mower and Jason will send him to jail. Weirder things have happened, I suppose.
The meme blinks at me in wait mode.
Where the hell was I?Oh yeah.“I’m sending you an image taken at a toll booth south of Buffalo. Chrissy Bright is in the passenger seat. Can you find out who is behind the wheel?”
“Which one?”
“The steering wheel. I would like to know who’s driving.”
“Give me a moment.” The meme types, scratches it’s head, and when it mutters to itself, I freak.
How long before we won’t be able to tell real people from bots?
As I ponder artificial intelligence taking over the world, Jason fills my chat window. In one link, my wanderlust teen and the driver dance at a two-hundred-dollar-a-plate fundraiser wearing clingy, low cut, dresses. In another, the older woman appears arm-in-arm with her and Tina. Given everything I’ve learned, it’s clear the girls are being groomed for prostitution.
“Who is she?” I mutter this mostly to myself, but the AI unit responds.
“Her name is Veronica Parker.” A New York State driver’s license opens in a new window which I save to study when I have time.
“Can you show me where they drove to?”
“The Elantra exited the thruway in Tarrytown.” He blinks out the screen at me.
“Where did it go from there?”
“I do not know.” Blink. Blink.
“Don’t rental companies track their vehicles?”
“Yes, they do.” Blink. Blink
“And?”
“I am sorry. I don’t understand the use of the conjunction in this context.”
Argh.“Why can you not find the friggin’ car?”
“Because the tracking device is disabled and both of the women’s phones are off.”
Clearly the driver is more than a paid escort.
“Jason, can you track all of Ms. Parker’s bank and credit card transactions for the last few hours? Use facial recognition. She may have accounts under a fake name.”
Soon, another image pops up on my monitor. In it, Parker retrieves money from an outside ATM.
“Enhance the footage around it.”
Bingo!Chrissy ducks between parked SUVs, then dashes down the street with her knapsack in hand.
“Can you find the current location of the girl running away in the fifth photograph?”
“It could take some time.”
“I don’t care how long it takes. Send me the ATM’s address and keep searching.” At this hour, the fastest means into the city, is to drive.
