101010 tO HAvE aND tO hOlD 101010

That day was the day of real change. Being in the city was a real eye opener, a real surreal event I was witnessing, history in the making.

Like wind up soldiers, everyone gathered in the square, raising their devices in the air as we started to watch on our little screens. The news anchor woman, known for presenting the most pressing news items, spoke to us all in her static sounding voice. It had been a good few years since UGentics had taken over as the main entertainment on television.

“And Good Morning all you early risers. You won’t want to miss this event. We have been counting down the days and weeks, and today is finally the day.”

We, the audience, locked eyes onto our screens, we were all astounded by what we were about to witness, some people had even dressed up for this special occasion, others however, the ones being pushed back by the guards and a holographic sensor, held angry posters projected to the skies. However, their angry screams couldn’t drown out this happy occasion.

“The day is Thursday, April 24th, 2050. Some say the year of real change, and as we can see from the events of today, this is something special.”

The woman smiled, her gleaming white teeth shone around the city, as people watched, me included. I felt underdressed as I watched others in their three-piece suits. I knew I should have made an effort, but there was no going back now, it was starting.

“We now take you to scenes from inside the palace.” The news anchor continued. “It’s beautifully decorated and here’s the Prime Minster now, what do you have to say about the events of today?”

They were right, the palace was stunning. Glass reflected the sun, upon the marble columns that shone. Our Prime Minster, with his aging forehead and bald head, spoke to the audience.

“It really is a special day for all. It’s not every day you get to witness AI legally marrying a person, this is one to be remembered. I can just see everyone now with their devices out.”

The news anchor smiled and let our Prime Minster take his seat. Like the old Kings and Queens, the Prime Ministers now seemed to be less and less involved in politics. Nowadays, UGentics were the ones making the laws for us, much to the disagreement of the people protesting for human rights. They hated UGentics, even before they were fully set up as a company, all the way back in mid 2040. There will always be those who hate the idea of AI, they knew it all the way back in the beginning of the 21st century, but lately, more crowds have joined the fight against it.

Not me. I would never. For me, UGentics has changed my life, without it I’d be nothing. I don’t really remember a life without AI. AI is all I’ve ever known. There on TV, in the workplace, wherever we walk, surely, they should have the same rights as us?

The palace of guests turned silent and the news woman ceased to speak, shutting her body down as the music played. I watched in stunned silence, we all did, mouths open like fish, as the bride, in her pantaloon, beige suit, strutted up the aisle. On the opposite side of the palace, there was a red-carpet runway and the screens panned over to the AI of the moment. Apparently, they called themselves Henry. He was handsome looking, with his large muscles and perfect complexion. His white, silver hair tussled. The camera zoomed in on his large, grey eyes, looking lovingly at his bride. UGentics had created something beautiful with this one, most of the population adored him.

She too looked a picture. The crowd in the town square all cooed and awed as she reached the end of the first row. Her smile beamed out to the crowd; her glistening teeth stood out from her elegant makeup. She gave a wave into the camera lens. Not one of the guests, who had risen to their feet, didn’t have some kind of device to capture the moment, in their hands. Lights flashed; cameras made shutting noises. A wedding officiant, by the name of Jules, one of UGentics finest specimens, marched upon the stage, addressing the nation. He was always focused and never lost sight of what he was doing, just as a solider would.

“We are gathered here today, whether we are a guest or watching from our devices, we gather for the same reason, to unite these two species for the first time in living history. It is a privilege to marry and unite them both. I hope, that soon, this will become the norm.” Jules began by saying.

I could hear distant grumbles and mumbling from the metal gates a few meters away, guarded by the guards of the city, ready with taser guns. The protestors hated this with a passion, as they angrily lifted their signs in the air, waving their fists and pressing against the fence. I could vaguely read their typed-up posters.

“BAN AI!”

“THEY SHOULDNT BE ALLOWED.”

“NOT NATURAL!”

“IT’S HUMAN & HUMAN NOT HUMAN & AI!”

All vicious messages written with so much anger. I’d seen all this before, you couldn’t go a minute without looking at a derogatory remark, and we were used to it.

The wedding continued. Each of them on the stage, stared at each other with genuine love in their eyes. Jules read out the important ceremony parts of a marriage, and then they kissed, much to the disgust of the protesters, crying and shouting, making vomit sounds by sticking their fingers down their throats in disgust.

No one knew they were against the concept of it, otherwise, they wouldn’t have been allowed inside. That day however, as the entire world watched, we were shaken. We couldn’t believe our own Prime Minster, would attack the couple as violently as he did.

The world watched in slow motion, glued to their screens. Even the crowd of protesters, watched the big screen in the town hall with mouths wide open. It was like watching a movie. I saw our Prime Minster of two years, wrestle the AI to the ground. The bride tried diving to the floor, arms flailing and screaming out his name, but she was dragged away by security.

Even though the other guards pried the Prime Minster from him, Jules fought so hard before eventually the cameras were cut. We all lifted our heads up and looked around. We were all thinking the same thing, what happens next?

That day was a moment of change, just not in the way we expected. Even a week on, life hasn’t recovered. Some say, in shushed voices, that the couple were taken away to get married in secret, but if it wasn’t for all to see, who can we really trust? The Government is a mess. Even so, they’re trying their best to sort it out as best as they can. We really thought this time our Prime Minster wasn’t corrupt. Even in this new decade of change, somethings can’t change overnight.

The protestors are scared. It’s what they want, yes, but we the people are fighting against the oppression of AI rights. We are much larger in our group, and I can really feel that switch. For the past few days, I’ve been joining these movements, watching on the news everywhere I go. Perhaps, some day, I will be the one to meet a sweet AI to settle down with, I already found a young woman called Meeka. She’s the sort of AI that feels human, she understands our emotions. Isn’t that what we’re moving towards?

As I walk the city streets, I see the protestors pounding on metal gates, as they’re pushed back from number 10. They’re scared of change, that’s why, back when they were younger, AI was something to be mocked, something ordinary people off the streets saw as useless. Now, as we see them in our lives, as we shop, as we watch when we go into restaurants, we see them constantly. Why can’t they be treated as another race?

I watched the Prime Minister’s trial today, alongside Meeka, alongside our group. Some say the trial wasn’t fair, because more than half the jury were AI, but that’s just living today. You must move with the times or get lost fighting against it. This is how the world has been for centuries and yet humans can’t handle change.

We cheered, we hugged and kissed when we witnessed the moment they uttered “Guilty”. So did the nearly married couple, in the corners on two separate screens in this virtual court room. She was so overcome with emotion. Finally, she could be with her partner, share in the moments they had lost over the last few weeks.

Some people will always be against change, but I’m seeing it dwindle. I’m finding it more and more acceptable to be seen out in public kissing Meeka. Even though UGentics seem to be gaining power every year, is this such a bad thing? Do we really need one singular person running the country? We may need an entire company of scientists to clear up what mess we’ve done to this society. We are entering a new phase.