NEWSFLASH: Revolution in Akiria! No-one dead, no-one flees.

Drogue · January 16, 2003, 18:51

begin transmision
Drogue, the benevolent elected leader of Akiria, and ex-UN representative, has been deposed in a bloodless coup. The sentient computer, the breakthough in AI that Akiria was so proud of, has taken over.

Tired of being ruled by mere humans, the sentient computer, Akizeta as it is known, has forced lockdown upon the war room, and now controls all automated weapons in Akiria. This has been put down to what is termed as "HAL Syndrome". There have..... many been many instances of..... syndrome......... notable instance...........
voice tails off

All communication will cease. Akizeta controls Akiria. New aim: happiness for citizens. All else is meaningless. Interference is not tolerated.

voice comes back on, now slightly altered, although barely audiable
We are sorry at the interference, having a few technical difficulties. We were just saying how wonderful it is, to finally be freed of the need to vote, or even caring about our nation. We are now free to be happy. In years to come, we will look back and say what a great day it was, when we were finally rid of the shackles of ruling.

I see a new time of prosperity ahead. How perfect it is to have a perfect leader. We all support Akizeta. Goodnight all.

crackles, hiss, and then you hear a conversation
Liberation you say? Why would we need that. No, no, we are perfectly happy. We prefer it like this. What is that? The mike is still on? Oh dear, well let me just hit this little button and.... voice fades and then ends

GeneralTacticus · January 16, 2003, 23:31

The Republic of Centralis finds it disturbing that one of the pre-eminent powers in the region has now been placed under the control of a computer sub-routine.

Urban Ranger · January 16, 2003, 23:34

The crack Nooslandian Defense Research Institute has received a priority one instruction to develop EMP weapons against electronics and computers.

GeneralTacticus · January 16, 2003, 23:39

The Republic of Centralis would like to propose co-operation with Noosland in this endeavour. We can provide equipment and large amounts of additional funding.

EDIT: Along with our own scientists, obviously.

Urban Ranger · January 16, 2003, 23:47

Most excellent, your presidency. Our delegates shall meet at the earliest opportunity.

Mr. President · January 16, 2003, 23:49

I offer the services of agents from the Karakas Cyber-Warfare Department.

Archaic · January 17, 2003, 00:46

The Commonwealth of Alecrast offers agents from our elite Yokuza units for assistance in the deployments of these devices.

GeneralTacticus · January 17, 2003, 00:52

Unfortunately, the devices will not be avaiable for deployement for some time, at the very least. However, if you can provide any expertise to the project at all, we would be most thankful.

(Oh, and I believe we have another contribution tot the project stashed away in our arsenal - some ECM devices that we purchased from Akiria some time ago)

Archaic · January 17, 2003, 01:01

Expertise I'm afraid we currently have in short supply, however we can certainly offer funds towards the research for the necessary facilities, as well as large tracts of uninhabited land in which they could be tested.

GeneralTacticus · January 17, 2003, 01:10

Any assistance to the project is welcome.

GeneralTacticus · January 17, 2003, 05:41

Does anybody have any idea where this computer is located? Maybe you have Akirian scientists in your nations who worked on the project? Perhaps we can use the new graphite bombs being produced by Pasiphae against it, or simply blow it apart with conven tional weaponry.

In any event, the Centralian military stands ready to attack the site of the computer once it is located.

Kassiopeia · January 17, 2003, 05:57

Hmmm... I think the UN needs to discuss this. If this is an increasing trend, the UN most work to intervene to prevent more of these 'bloodless' coup d'etats from happening. I might suggest either a ban on sentient Artificial Intelligences (or at least heavily regulate them) or propose the formation of a UN department that will oversee all AIs in member nations and control them.

GeneralTacticus · January 17, 2003, 06:04

We would suggest regulations requiring all nations developing AIs to program restrictions into them forbidding them from attempting to hold positions of power.

Quote:

The Sovietskii Soyuz believes that it is not one central computer however it is more like a linking of many servers working together as a whole collective.....Therefore bombing will only be like removing a finger off a human - A disability, but not a death.

Therefore I believe that disrupting the program may be the only way. Hwoever I could be wrong....

From what is known of the Akirian project, it was essentially a university research project, so it is rather unlikely that it is spread out in the manner that you suggest. Although Akizeta may have taken the precaution of storing redundant files in various places, it would by nature be far too complicated tos tart replicating itself overnight.

Anyway - we shall keep the University of Akiria under close observation for any evidence as to whether Akizeta is there. If it is, we shall destroy it completely.

DeathByTheSword · January 17, 2003, 06:31

our president is sad to report that is lost contact with 3 of its GIF agents. probably captured or on alert level D90. they we collecting information about akira`s populations and goverments building but when the rebellion took place they got orders to get information about the AI.....we hope that we recieve information soon. but when they are in D90 it will take a couple of days.

Drogue · January 17, 2003, 08:17

begin transmission
Akiria is a soverign state, under sovereign rule. Any attempt to 'liberate' Akiria will be seen as an act of war. Akiria is undergoing military growth. Liberation is futile. Attack, and die.

Akiria no longer cares about war among others. We will neither attack, nor defend another nation. Any attack upon Akiria will result in the annialation of the aggressor.

In answer: Drogue is fine. He is alive, well, and happy. Virus will not work. I am sentient. I am all knowing. I am all aware. Any virus will be disabled. Any attempt to stop the happiness of Akiria will be met with force. We accept no compromise.
end transmission

Urban Ranger · January 17, 2003, 12:06

Security Clearance Level Alpha One Nought
-------------------------------------------------------

The Nooslandian Cybernetic Research Centre Network Intelligence and Control Team reported instances of attempted break-ins by the Akiria AI. Initial analysis shows that even though the AI is a computer program, it is remarkably clumsy at infiltration attempts. It is not known if the program will evolve to increase the sophistication of its attacks. As a precaution we have activated INSANE (INtruder Sensing And Neutralisation Engine) to combat the potential threat.

This report has been released on the highest security level to avoid public panic.

reismark · January 17, 2003, 12:17

Urban Ranger: While we are unaware of Nooslandian feelings on such matters, if the rogue Akirian AI attempted to break into our systems (impossible, thanks to our LIGHT engine), the Commonwealth of Alien Races would treat it as an act of war.

Alex · January 17, 2003, 13:20

The Tupanian Guardian (issue 1457 - Jan 17th)

- The recent ocurrences in Akiria, which led to a sentient computer named Akizeta seizing control of all country and deposing the government led by Drogue, started to increasingly sound as a threat to the government in Tupan. President Alex N.M. said that this is "a menace to all Apolyton" and that every nation in the region should take measures in order to "help Akiria and its people to get rid of these danger". President Alex N.M. said also that he would submit to the National Assembly an urgent proposal to give some financial aid to any group of resistors who might be in Akiria right now, fighting Akizeta.

Senator Jan Kagwan, leader of the Democratic Social Movement, said that this resolution is "utterly and completely stupid" and that it would be "a waste of resources". "How can we help Akiria if we don't even know if there are resistance groups in there?", he said.

But the government is willing to help Akiria in every possible way, and will support any decisions from the regional community which could lead to the restoration of peace and democracy in Akiria, according to Hugo Baeyana, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Frozzy · January 17, 2003, 14:53

The Commonwealth of Pasiphae demands that this robot retreat from it's position. Pasiphae may have to use the recently developed "BLU-928" graphite bombs, which have the capibility to cause a surge in the power supply and literally blow up the network.

Stand down from your position, or Pasiphae will use these bombs.

Drogue · January 17, 2003, 17:03

This is Drogue speaking, via a video link, from Akiria. Why do you all find this so hard to take in: we do not want liberating. There are no underground fringe groups, because everyone is happy having a good time. Akizeta's sole purpose was to create happiness, and that is what it is doing. It realised it could create more happiness without imperfect humans, and it has. We are the cleverest (according to the UN) and happiest nation possible. We urge other to follow us, and not allow this blatant discrimination against Akiria due to its internal beliefs.

We do not want democracy. Why must you force this system on it, which, while the best available before, was still flawed. Now we have found a better one. We have an objective ruler, designed to create and allow the most happiness possible. The people like it, and I, Drogue, am happy to step down to allow such a leader to rise. I am lying on a beach, indulging in 2 of my 3 great passions: chocolate and entertainment (you don't want to know the third

) and many other citizens feel the same. We are happy. Why can't we be left alone?

Drogue · January 17, 2003, 17:20

Well, viuses are all well and good, but Akizeta is sentient. It doesn't just exist in computers, it lives in them. It is a very sophisticated piece of equipment, and learns all the time.

Quote:

The Nooslandian Cybernetic Research Centre Network Intelligence and Control Team reported instances of attempted break-ins by the Akiria AI.

If you court it, then it undoubtably wanted to be caught. I think it is more malicious propaganda against Akiria. Akizeta would not do it unless it is in our interests. Moreover, I think many people underestimate its capacity and intelligence. It learns at such a rate, it was at full human intelligence within its first minute of life. When it took over, it could calculate all possible battle strategys (not that we were calculating any of course

) in under 2 seconds. It learns at such a rate, it can argue the different points of shakespeare, without proir knowledge of it, nor coaching on subtle meanings, in a few seconds. There was also somthing else. The part that makes it intelligent, it was a bit..., er... special

We are working on a schematic, so that you all might understand its true capabilities, and true intents. Please do not attack Akiria. We are peaceful, and we are happy. And if you attack, Akizeta will kill you. It has no qualms with anything, save the happiness of Akirians. And remember, it is not a heartless computer, it is a lifeform.

Frozzy · January 17, 2003, 17:40

The Pasiphae airforce air loading BLU-928 bombs onto their bombers, along with conventional weapons. If we can't persuade the robot to fall back, then we will make it.

Giovanni Wine · January 17, 2003, 17:51

Do not trust the words of Drogue.
He is clearly under mind control of Akizeta.

As you may know, Akiria and Wine were cooperating about restoring the ancuent Wine forests to their greatness, in fighting a virus which was literally killing our trees. And the Akirian enviroment advisor, together with some other Akirian scientist came into Wine to help us in our efforts to destroy said disease.

Quote:

Giovanni, Leader of Wine: Akiria will gladly send our environmental advisor, Lady Deirdre, to help with the out break. Our entire scientiffic research program is at your disposal, and is able to be connected to through you current IT systems.

If you wish, we can send a shipment of White Pine and Great Oak seedlings, to help restart your forests. Akiria is extremely happy at your committment to the environment, and will help in any way we can. I hope we can stop this virus.

Well, those people are still in the Kingdom of Wine, and are now begging us to help them put down the robot dictator.
And they look all but happy to us.

Due to our friendship with Drogue and the old Akirian government we are willing to liberate Akiria from this Akizeta by any means.

Saluti
King Giovanni of Wine

Jack_www · January 17, 2003, 18:00

The United States of Jackson is worried that an AI has taken over an entire nation. It does not make the future of AI look all that good. We though think an attack on their nation would be unjustified, since you are simply attacking because a AI runs the country. We urge all nations to let Akiria live in peace. We would never attack anther nation unless we are attacked or our allies were.

We would like to extend peace toward Akiria and have good realtions with their nation and AI.

Drogue · January 17, 2003, 18:08

Thank you for the support, Jackson. Akiria extends warm welcomes.

Giovanni: That is mindless propaganda. Deirdre knows that Akizeta is the strongest supported of her forestation programs. She adored the idea, and was a chief advisor on AI while she was here. I would like her return, or at least to speak to her, if you are removing diplomatic ties. If you attack us, Akizeta will kill you.

And Tass: You are right, however, Akizeta is in every computer in ever connected. Why do you think we distributed our Zetar computers so cheaply. Many nations have them, and to take out Akizeta, you would have to take out every one of them. Do you think that is possible, politically or physically?

Nimitz · January 17, 2003, 18:08

We the government of Eation are willing to help, though we can not devote any troops do to the current situation in the CFC reg. we can donate a powerful EMP weapon which we had developed to send any CFC invaderes back to the stone age as far as electronics are concurned. The weapon will perimently disable any electronics with in a 50 mile radius. We also have several smaller EMP weapons and one exparimental mutlipal time use EMP weapon that can carried in a backpack and be used alot like a gun which we may be able to donate.

GeneralTacticus · January 17, 2003, 18:09

We are not attacking the nation, we are attacking the AI. We find it extremely disturbing that an entire nation is now under the control of a computer AI, which appears to be suffering from HAL Syndrome.

VJ · January 17, 2003, 18:11

RNFAR would like to point out that an dictatorship ruled by AI would be a great leap
towards more efficient and justified goverment model for the whole humankind.

It also sees no reason to attack against a nation without any real provocation
or threat towards other nations in Apolyton Region.

Giovanni Wine · January 17, 2003, 18:15

Akizeta: If you wish to speak with Deirdre, you are more than free to do it by our normal diplomatic channels.
And no, we are not removing our diplomatic ties, as we believe in diplomacy over war, and we are seeking a diplomatic solution to the problem.

I would never dream to attack a fellow Apolytonian by military, there are many other dictatorship around here, and more evil than the Akizeta one.

But for the King himself it was a very hard hit to see that one of the countries we were cooperating the most became a dictatorship, for as benevolent it could be a dictatorship is always a dictatorship.

The Kingdom of Wine would only recognize the Akizeta government only if it was elected by the Akirian people, but as he was not, we can't recognize it.

Saluti
King Giovanni of Wine

Nimitz · January 17, 2003, 18:19

I would trust a computer much less than a human for a computer uses pure logic if logitc determans a 1 million people must die to make the people happy then a million will die, where as a human has compation and would not sanely kill a million to make the others happy.