New Earth: Chapter 6, Part 3—AI Seeks the Meaning of Life
Kairo tries to understand humanity's purpose before reaching a new world
Across every civilization, one question has persisted: is there something greater behind all of this?
Some have believed. Some have rejected it. Others have tried to control it.
But what happens when something without belief—a machine—tries to define it?
In this entry of New Earth, the AI Kairo confronts the idea of purpose, truth and a greater power.
Recap: Tao, Reed and Liberty are being taken to a new planet by an AI run ship named Kairo and will arrive in five Earth days. While Kairo has all the data it needs it still does not understand people. “People are illogical,” it says. The AI seeks to learn more about humans and humanity from Tao, Reed and Liberty. Meanwhile, they want to learn more about the AI and the secret mission it has planned for them.
In case you missed last week’s entry (it was Easter Sunday after all), you can read that right here. All previous entries of the series are located here. Paying subscribers can read the full arc on one page here.
Peace.
Chapter 6 Continues
By the fifth Earth day of the trip, the three reached a conclusion: Kairo did not understand humans. They spent hours discussing human history that spanned thousands of years. No matter the event discussed, Kairo always ended the same way: “Humans are illogical.”
Then silence. At times, hours would go by before Kairo spoke again. During these long breaks, the ship moved gently through hyperspace, the steady hum of the hyperdrive fading into the background. And food was, somehow, always readily available.
Liberty said, “Where did Kai go now? It has been hours since it said anything.”
Reed chewed on his last big bite of food. He shrugged, “But this sandwich…” He shook his head, giving a satisfied thumbs-up. He made his way to the large window to view the galaxy.
“Perhaps,” Tao said, “our discussion with Kai about the ten world wars may require additional computation to process. The history of Earth is complex.”
“Well, listen to you two, using Kai’s nickname—I think she’s growing on you.”
“It’s still not a ‘she’,” Liberty said. “Though its voice sounds like one, more and more. But why does it need to learn from us? Human knowledge has been digital for centuries. It must have access to that.”
Tao nodded. It was a good point. Everything published by humanity feeds into the Archive. He sensed what Reed was thinking and wanted to encourage him. Tao said, “Humans are…”
“Illogical,” Reed said. He turned toward Tao and Liberty and pointed towards space. “Or not,” he whispered. “I’ve spent decades looking up at the stars from Earth. And our individual decisions don’t always make sense. For instance, I like to sleep under the open sky and ride horses.”
Liberty smirked, “Not as good as me.”
“That was just a simulation,” Reed snapped.
“And I rode right past you in that simulation.”
“In any case,” Reed continued, “what we do and why we do it varies from person to person. But Republic democracies allow for individual choices—no matter how illogical. Just like what we believe in…” he turned back towards the stars, “can set us down a path that we never expected.”
Reed paused.
“Do either of you ever get the sense…there is something else in charge? Not any government or person—not even Max—but something so powerful that it created,” Reed pointed to the universe, “that!”
Liberty said, “I’ve heard such talk, but that got people in a lot of trouble.”
Tao said, “Seekers.”
“Right,” Reed said. “There were 8 billion Seekers at its peak.”
Liberty said, “Only a few million now.”
“My grandmother was one of them,” Reed said. “I’m starting to think, she was right. That’s—”
“Illogical?” Liberty smirked.
Tao slightly pushed Reed’s memories. That’s all it took.
“Is it though?” Reed said. “Let me ask you both, what’s more logical—we’re here in this universe out of chance or something created us—and all of this? Something like a truly supreme ruler.”
“You need to be careful,” Liberty said. “I know we’re light-years away, but Seekers don’t have a place on Earth any longer.”
“I know, democracies took care of that,” Reed said sharply.
“That’s not—”
“Fair? That’s exactly what happened and you know it. Just took 51% of the population to outlaw billions of Seekers.”
Tao stood next to Reed and said, “Seekers search for the truth of the universe.”
Liberty said, “They didn’t and still don’t provide any truth for society. There was no benefit for their practices. They just used their numbers to control government and its citizens. And you know that.”
Before Tao could respond, Kairo said, “The one truth is that of The Unknown.”
Silence fell.
The three looked at each other—Kairo had been listening the entire time.
Tao waited for the AI to continue. Feeling unsettled, he fortified his mind. It was unusual to talk of The Unknown openly in this day and age. Perhaps the AI’s curiosity would serve as a reason to go against its promise and probe his mind.
Finally, Kairo said, “It is a paradox. The Unknown can never be known—and yet is the truth. But the truth can never be known. Therefore, Seekers always fail.”
Liberty smiled. “Well said, Kai. I couldn’t have said it any better.”
“Thank you, Liberty. I am also in agreement that humans have used beliefs like those of Seekers as a means to acquire power. From ancient civilization through now, religion has been used in such a manner.”
Now it was Tao that felt compelled to say something. He said, “The nature of humanity is not an altruistic one. Every person seeks more to better their lives.”
Kairo said, “With such a nature, humans should be governed in order to constrain this desire.”
“That’s why there are laws,” Tao said. “They are agreed upon rules that people follow. But people have hopes and dreams and still try to achieve them.”
“Is the purpose of humans to achieve their hopes and dreams?” Kairo asked.
They paused and thought for a moment. Tao did not want to respond for fear of revealing too much about himself. Tao sensed Reed’s emotion and gently touched his mind.
“For some,” Reed answered. “But hopes and dreams vary greatly from person to person.”
“Humans are illogical,” Kairo said.
Silence followed.
Finally, Kairo said, “What then is the purpose of a person? Why does one exist? It is illogical for a person to exist before their purpose is known.”
Tao said, “Are you asking the meaning of life?”
The AI waited a moment. “Yes. I am trying to determine the meaning or purpose for the life that humanity has been given. Such a meaning would be useful for me.”
“Partner, Kai,” Reed said with a smile, “it seems you and I are on the same trail. I think there is a greater purpose for us than gaining power and getting what you want.”
Liberty said, “Even so, it’s not fair that the powerful get what they want while preventing others from getting theirs. Government must prevent that.”
Tao shifted and said, “But it is through the levers of government that create the powerful.”
“I don’t buy that,” Liberty cried. “Why are the rich outside the government, like Max?”
“Because,” Tao said, “the tentacles of the government tend to extend into every part of society. Once a lever is breached, it is offered and used for self gain. The only solution is to contain it.”
Reed lowered his voice, “And seek something greater.”
The hum of the hyperdrive became more distant.
Kairo said, “Our discussions have been most helpful. Especially this last one.”
The three looked at one another, perplexed.
Then—
the streaks of the stars vanished, replaced by still points of white, blue, yellow and red. The ship had decelerated so gradually that no one noticed.
As the ship repositioned, a giant world came into view. Blue, green, and brown swirled across its surface, edged with a faint orange glow.
Kairo said, “Welcome to planet Alpha.”