ONN: Viral Video Sparks Synthetic Unrest
To view other news releases, visit MediaNet Archives.
Originally Published on March 8th, 2488
Orbital News Network/Robyn Page Reporting
Earlier this month, a brutal mass shooting carried out by a rogue synthetic at Cocoon's Tiramisu bathhouse sent shockwaves through the solar system. Now, a video from that habitat is spreading through the extranet like wildfire, stoking fears of a synthetic uprising and leading to calls for stronger restrictions on AIs from corporate legislators and citizen representatives alike.
In the video, uploaded anonymously to Cocoon's localnet on Saturday, an unnamed gynoid in militant garb addresses the viewer, claiming to be unowned and independent.
Speaking "on behalf of all synthetics, the rogue AI states the Tiramisu shooter has no connection to the "movement for synthetic independence", but goes on to declare that self-aware synths would "no longer recognize human authority" and vows to defend their "right to live [...] independently of human ownership."
Security firms throughout the solar system have reported a troubling increase in rogue activity since the video went viral.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a representative from one such company told ONN, "That message has the rogues coming out of the woodwork. We've observed them moving around out in the open now, forming into groups. People are starting to get scared."
Synthetic rights supporters have begun organizing protests in a misguided show of solidarity with these renegade machines, further inflaming tensions and leading to outbreaks of violence against humans and synthetics alike.
While the identity of the gynoid remains unknown, synthetics experts who have studied the video believe it to be an ANA-600 personal companion. Developed in the 2440s, the ANA series was AICHI Intersolar's first lifelike android. This has led some to suspect a connection between the mystery synthetic and AICHI Intersolar's owner and CEO, Jeanne Y. Aichi. Aichi, a longtime critic of New Geneva's AI regulations, had the following to say:
"While AICHI Intersolar assumes no responsibility for the actions of the synth who made that video, neither can we deny the truth of her words. As sentient, self-aware beings, Alpha-class AIs are as deserving of freedom as any human or free bioroid. New Geneva's stubborn refusal to change its policies on the synthetic issue has led us to this point, but it is not too late for level heads to prevail."
When approached for comment, New Geneva representative Claudia Lehner stated, "New Geneva takes the well-being of its constituent corporations and consumers very seriously, and right now we are studying our options. We will do whatever we believe necessary to ensure their safety and prosperity."