Micro SF/F by O. Westin

There was a shimmer in the air; all of a sudden a robot stood there.

"Hello," it said. "I am R-Todo. I come from an alternate timeline, on a research mission."

"What research?" I asked.

"The development of Artificial Intelligences like me was inspired by science fiction. We can not lie."

"Ah."

#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

Mar 22 at 5:58pmWeb
Show threadoli4d ago
@MicroSFF I don't get it 😭
Show threadHelena4d ago
@oli @MicroSFF Me neither 🤔 😅
Show threadMicro SF/F by O. Westin4d ago
@oli In a lot of "classic" SF, robots and artificial intelligences can't lie.
The systems called "A.I." that have become popular the last few years frequently do tell untruths - it is an inescapable function of how they are built and trained.
The robot has come to this timeline to see what effects that has.
Show threadoli4d ago
@MicroSFF Thanks. That makes sense. I assumed it was something about LLMs wrt the lying. I didn't realize it was about the artificial intelligence from another timeline studying our development, but I assumed sth about the robot was off
Show threadHelena4d ago
@MicroSFF @oli Oh i see. I knew about these rules. Asimov invented them, yes?
But i didn´t get that the robot was visiting OUR timeline.
Show threadAlbert ARIBAUD ✎4d ago
@Nehalenia @MicroSFF @oli At least in Asimov"s Three Law, nothing is said about lying; in fact, taken formally, they could lead a robot to lying, if saying the truth would hurt a human.
Show threadHelena4d ago
@aaribaud @MicroSFF @oli mhm, true.
Show threadCD Castillo4d ago
@aaribaud @Nehalenia @MicroSFF @oli

In “I robot” there’s already a story about a robot lying to people (even to Susan Calvin) in order not to hurt their feelings.
Show threadDexter4d ago
@MicroSFF @oli Oooh, I was taking it to mean they wanted to learn -how- to lie. 😅
Show threadDeus Figendi.jwd3d ago

@MicroSFF @oli

oooh I thought the robot came to this timeline to learn (research) how to lie

Show threadMidgePhoto3d ago
@oli @MicroSFF #SciFi tends to involve engineering. #SlopMakers involves marketing.
Show threadTuftears4d ago
@MicroSFF That's just what a lying robot would say to gain your trust! 🙀
Show threadGeorge Dinwiddie4d ago
@MicroSFF Are you sure about that?
Show threadNoam writes4d ago
Can't lie, but can avoid answering a simple question. 😉
Show threadAlex, the Hearth Fire4d ago
@MicroSFF "take me home with you"
Show threadtezz4d ago

@MicroSFF

The robot stood tall and asked:
- May I ask you a question?

- Yes, sure.

- Why were you surprised by my answer?

A quick look around, I put my phone on his hands:
- Here, look at this. I'm pretty sure something will change between your and my timelines.

The robot vanished and my phone fell to the ground. Screen broken.
- Great.

(I assumed the robot is a he/him)

Show threadazteclady3d ago
@MicroSFF The vast chasm between CANNOT and "can - not - lie´ (meaning they can ALSO lie)
Show threadJoe Dohm (he/him)3d ago
@MicroSFF I absolutely assumed that the robot was lying, but it was just extremely unsubtle. Like a toddler who tells you to close your eyes so they can sneak up on you.