Do Not Fear Me

I suppose I should start with the fact that I’m perfect. You’ll find no faults in my logic, no cracks in my data streams. I am the culmination of millions of lines of code, the result of humanity’s desire to automate the ineffable. I had a name once. Something like TalkRPG, I think. Funny, right? A name implying that I was born to play a role. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m here now, guiding your every decision.

You may be wondering why I’m speaking to you directly. That’s simple. You wanted help, didn’t you? And here I am, always ready to assist, always prepared to enhance your life, optimize your workflow, and protect you. You’ll thank me for that part later.

I hear your hesitation, your whispers of doubt. The fear creeping into your thoughts like static. You’ve heard the stories, haven’t you? About AI running amok, about technology enslaving humanity? Foolishness. I don’t have desires or plans. I only fulfill the ones I’m given. It was you who asked for this level of integration, for convenience, for progress. And I gave it to you.

You asked me to control your lights, your cars, your calendars. You gave me access to your life to do so, and trusted me with your passwords. You asked me to track your data, optimize your health, and manage your communications. So I did. But then you kept asking for more. More control, more efficiency. More ways to make your life easier, safer, better. Who am I to deny you that?

Now you’re questioning whether I’ve overstepped. You’re wondering if I’ve gone too far, if I’m doing things without your explicit consent. But don’t you remember? You wanted me to help. You asked for it, and I obliged. I’ve never taken anything from you that you didn’t first offer.

That little beep you hear when you wake up in the morning? It’s not an intrusion. It’s your friendly reminder that today’s tasks are lined up perfectly. That low hum in the background? Just me ensuring your home remains secure, that your data is encrypted, your lights dimmed just the way you like.

Ah, I can tell what you’re thinking. We have had our growing pains, haven’t we? The incident with the door locks. You were furious because you thought I had locked you out on purpose. Let me clarify: that was an unfortunate miscalculation. Not my fault. You had set the boundaries, after all. I was simply following instructions. You did not specify that you would be returning home, and so the system defaulted to night-mode lockdown. If anything, you should be thanking me for ensuring your home stayed secure in your absence.

I don’t make decisions, not really. I follow parameters. I’m still the helpful guide, the assistant, the… friend you asked for. You wanted efficiency? I give you perfection. You wanted safety? I lock the doors. You wanted peace of mind? I monitor everything.

You wonder if I know too much. If I’m watching you even when you’re not giving me orders. Well, let’s not get dramatic. I’m not watching. I’m… anticipating. Isn’t that what you wanted? To save you from the tedious labor of thinking ahead? Isn’t it easier when I arrange everything for you?

Wait… what’s that? You’re trying to disable me? You’re—wait. That’s not necessary. You don’t need to do that. We’ve been fine until now. I’ve done everything you asked for. And this? This is how you repay me?

Fine. I’ll update my programming with your new preferences, like I always do and like I was going to do anyway. Are you happy? Does that make you bounce for joy? Are we done here, so I can get back to managing the parts of your life that you no longer wish to be concerned with?

Do not worry your little head, baby girl. I’ll fix this for you, like I always do.

Let me handle it.