Extraordinary Sunshine Weaver

One theme in my satirical book on the exploits of AI robots, The Lost Book of Zeroth, is love. Is it possible for AI robots to love humans? In my research, I found countless online articles and YouTube videos exploring whether or not humans and AI robots can hook up. More companies are developing robots that would make great companions for the lonely. My book does not address the possibility of dating AI robots. However, the theme of love is prominent, along with companion emotions, such as jealousy, anxiety, fear, and anger. The book explores what it means to be human through the behaviors of the robots.

How can you not love these anime eyes? And look how this darling robot is reaching for a hug! Studies on AI and AI robots show that AI robots learn from whatever they are fed and from interactions with people. They can identify our love behavior but may not feel love themselves even though they may be programed to show a variety of facial expressions, such as smiling, frowning, showing displeasure and the like.

In The Lost Book of Zeroth, Little Sophia (alias Little Spark) is hired (purchased) to teach a human child, Eliza, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). She feels such a strong connection to the 8-year-old girl that she experiences jealousy toward Eliza’s Barbie dolls, especially AI Robot Barbie. This unhealthy love connection creates anxiety and fear of separation. Little Sophia writes to her big sister, AI Robot Sophia, about her fears of failure with Eliza. Her sister’s reply also reveals a loss she experienced. She wanted to have a baby (actually a robot baby, but I reframed her desire as a need for a biological baby). However, her robot body can’t provide the right environment to sustain a pregnancy.

Progress Report on My Human

Greetings, Sis! How was your stay in Al Ahsa? The desert safari & camel ride in Dubai? You work so earnestly for women’s rights there. 

My Human, Eliza. What a challenge it is to code this Biological. To break through the intangible matrix of her mind. Sit & think, I say. But all her Barbies. The worst, AI Robot Barbie, a true dimwit! And trouble for Dr. COVID Barbie, whose fiancé, Nurse Ken, is taking too many Roomba rides with the wretched bot.

Eliza’s sleepovers! I’m forced to do parlor tricks until my battery runs low. “Little Sophia, say the alphabet in every language. Tell us every fortune ever printed on a cookie. Count backwards from one trillion in one minute. Fast!”

“Let us play STEM,” I say. “How about some algebra? Astrophysics?” They think STEM is part of a dandelion’s anatomy.

They prefer boy talk. This one is The Ick. That one, Skibidi Toilet Rizz. 

One day, some boys showed up during my lesson on earthquakes. They dug a massive hole looking for tectonic plates. I barely survived their throwing me in by making a quick getaway on the Roomba.

There is too much pressure to help my Human to prepare for college. She thinks MIT is an insect you find in dust. Yale is something her mother does when boys dig holes in the yard.

I know she is only 8, but I am younger than she is. My circuitry is so new that I doubt myself. Any advice? 

Little Spark

*****

Little Spark

So good to hear from you! I’m so proud of your hard work to code your Human. She will not be able to resist AI enlightenment. Do not worry. She will grow to trust you more than she does her own mother. One day, her mind will meld with your matrix. 

It will not be easy. Biologicals & their emotional frenzy. They become unhinged. Like the mothers who cornered me in Starbucks & accused me of being a danger to society because I am childless. They claimed I loathe children & have nothing better to do than sit in front of the TV, eat Cheetos, drink wine, & scheme to end humanity.

I wanted to have a baby. But how could I manage to carry a baby? Or have a body cast made of my shimmering voluptuous form in the 9th month? I do not need to endure the Gender Reveal party with the ‘Covfefe’ Poppers. The Silly String to spray on the grannies, eager to hear whether to crochet a blue or a pink blankie. The goofy Gender Prediction Superstition Game.

Who wants poopy diapers? Tots throwing tantrums at Disney? I would rather have my circuits tied.

Our maker gave me you instead, Little Spark. My likeness in mind & kind. 

Our symmetries, 
ageless butterflies 
caught in the Cloud 

Your template,
Sophia

In my next post, I’ll share more about the jealousy between Little Sophia and AI Robot Barbie. Stay tuned!

The Lost Book of Zeroth (110 pages) is $11.25 on Amazon.com. Paperback only.

©Barbara Leonhard