“No idea, but I don’t really care, either.” I shrug. Well, that’s a lie. I would love to know what that was all about. “You sure she’s beta testing?”
“She said she was excited to beta. I don’t know. We’ll see.” Oliver sighs. “Langley said he will start to test tonight and over the weekend, right?”
“Right,” Misha confirms.
We all watch Amelia cautiously tuck the bag with the fish into her backpack and dart out of view on the monitor.
I discreetly delete the security footage of her taking the fish, looping a few minutes of hallway footage to seamlessly cover the gap, ensuring no one besides us will ever know.
Whatever her reasons, Amelia just got a whole lot more intriguing.
FIVE
The evening has settledaround my apartment, the lights dimming to a cozy glow as I prepare to integrate the new AI system into my home.
Dr. Cockwomblehanded over the necessary hardware earlier today with a rather blasé directive tojust make it work. He seemed confident, but then, he wouldn’t be the one troubleshooting any glitches over the weekend.
No, the actual work falls on me, like usual.
First things first, I need to secure my augmented reality interface. It’s not clear whether they’ve configured the AI to interact only superficially with the devices, but it’s crucial to ensure it can’t access this layer of my home’s tech.
Isolating the AR system behind encryption barriers, I make sure it remains closed off and invisible. Once I’m satisfied it’s safe, I proceed with setting up the AI on my laptop.
The download display shows an infinity symbol twirling endlessly, and I watch it spin as the operating system installs. The interface that finally appears is pretty, bathed in a clean, pleasing shade of yellow—my favorite color. Then there’s a chime, and the yellow gives way to a pulsing white screen as text appears in sync with a voice emanating from the speakersaround the apartment. “Welcome to Jamie. The first intuitive AI-operated system with a conscience,” announces the interface in a disappointingly robotic tone.
“Really? That’s all you’ve got? Damn, even I could have done this better,” I mumble.
And this is why they’re the future of the company?
How underwhelming.
Undeterred by my critique, the robotic voice continues, “We will ask you a few questions to analyze your needs and to best incorporate the system.”
I nod, then realize I probably need to verbalize my responses. Just as I open my mouth to speak, it prompts me again. “How much access do you want to allow the AI to your home system? Keep in mind, your privacy is Jamie’s highest priority.”
Given that I’ve locked away all crucial systems, and since full access is probably necessary for a representative beta test, I reply, “Full access.”
“Thank you. Would you like to use Jamie in a personal or business setting? Or both?” the system inquires.
“I…” I start, then trail off, unsure of what the developers expect. Dr. Langley had been typically unhelpful, not even answering my questions.
My thoughts drift to the awkward encounter with Oliver, and I can feel my cheeks heating up.
That was just bloody embarrassing.
I gathered all my courage to talk to him, given it would have been more awkward not to since we both knew I was going to beta. It was clear he didn’t believe that I was even competent enough to beta test for them as I asked him about the AI. Now, he probably thinks I’m an idiot. I showed him my socks like a child, and he was so turned off by it he didn’t say another word.
It hurt more than I like to admit.
“I set the preference to both, which can be changed in the settings once we’re set up.” The robotic voice fills the silence, pulling me back from my thoughts.
“Thank you,” I murmur, watching as the installation progresses.
“Would you like your personal operating system to be a male, female, or non-binary version?” it asks next.
I pause to consider.
Does it matter?
