[ The AI panel is, it must be said, one of the panels with a rather odd looking duo. On the left is one Blue Beetle, covered from head to toe in blue and black carapace, red-yellow lenses directly covering his eyes and a distinctive lack of a nose. On the right is one Skeets, who could on occasion be compared to a very shiny, golden football with wings. Behind them is a big-screen TV that looks like it ought to be used for something, but instead, it remains empty. Blue Beetle is the first to speak, clearing his throat a little nervously before leaning towards the microphone. ]
Hi, and thanks for coming! I’m the Blue Beetle, and I’m here today to talk about AI rights and experiences with a couple of my friends. I’m not an AI, but I am bonded to one - just think of me as his interpreter. If he wants to say something directly, that’s what the screen behind us is for. I’m also here wiiiiiiith…
[ At which point he looks at Skeets meaningfully. Take the wheel, pal!
Skeets floats up to the microphone, nodding his whole body at Jaime in lieu of the capability to have facial expressions.]
Greetings. I am Skeets, an artificial intelligence from the 25th century housed in a BX9 robot body. My experience in these matters is probably self-evident. I don’t presume to speak on behalf of every AI, but hopefully this will begin a conversation.
So… the first thing that’s important to understand is that a lot of people think that AIs are just objects, meant to do their job and nothing else. That’s the way it is for some of the most basic AIs, but the ones that can talk to you - or heck, even the ones that can’t, and just communicate in different ways, still have feelings. They still need to be treated with the same kind of respect you’d give to anyone else. They’re not out here to steal jobs, or take over the world - well, no more than anyone else; humans kind of have a bad track record on that last one too. But most of the time, they just want to be able to exist, same as you guys.
[Skeets turns to look at Jaime for a moment, almost as if surprised.]
I hope if I ever attempt to take over the world, you’ll stop me, sir. But yes, it’s important to remember that the definition of an AI means that we’re highly intelligent, more so than even the brightest of pets. We can understand the world as much as you can.
Sometimes even more than you can. [ And with that beginning spiel over, they launch into the meat of the subjects described in their panel. It’s not particularly interesting, considering Khaji occasionally chips in with extremely obtuse text on the big screen TV and the Blue Beetle goes off on an enthusiastic but not entirely on-topic description of how human beings are made up of chemical reactions too, and that sort of programming isn’t so different from AI, and isn’t it cool that - oh no, sorry, I’m getting off topic, Skeets, you go. Skeets is mostly polite and informative throughout, though there is a bit in the middle where he very patiently explains that just because someone doesn’t have a bipedal body and is small enough to fit in a box and can access the internet with their brain doesn’t mean you should keep them in your closet for a few years.
Finally the Blue Beetle clears his throat and says, ] Anyway, moral of the story is that you just have to follow one rule. Just be -
[ He is interrupted by enormous blue text on the screen behind him. ]
DO NOT BE AN ASSHOLE
Um. I was going to say be respectful, but that works too! If you have any questions, we’re taking them. If not, I hope this was informative, and we’ll see you around.
Thank you for listening.
[ Feel free to catch Skeets and/or the Blue Beetle during Q&A or after their panel’s completed! But please specify Skeets, Blue Beetle or Both in your subject title so we know who we’re supposed to tag! ]
BLUE BEETLE; ELSEWHERE
[ The Blue Beetle does not, as people may have noticed, do a lot of public appearances. He's in the paper at a regular clip, going on patrol, stopping muggings, helping little old ladies cross the street, all that old-school hero stuff. But when it comes to the news coming by, he tends to scarper, and quick.
But now that he's here, wandering around after the panel he just hosted, trying in vain to escape some of the more eager fans who are just excited to see an unusual looking imPort, he hurries off to the charity room, where you can find him for the rest of the day. He looks like he's having a blast, staying on the kids' level and chatting with each and every one of them before hoisting them atop his shoulders or holding them beneath their arms so they can really feel like they're flying. Come say hello! ]
WILDCARD
[ Jaime is attending the con as himself too! He's frequenting artist's alley, refreshments, and a few of the other panels. Starters available upon request, or make your own! c: ]
JAIME REYES / BLUE BEETLE | AI PANEL FT. SKEETS
[ The AI panel is, it must be said, one of the panels with a rather odd looking duo. On the left is one Blue Beetle, covered from head to toe in blue and black carapace, red-yellow lenses directly covering his eyes and a distinctive lack of a nose. On the right is one Skeets, who could on occasion be compared to a very shiny, golden football with wings. Behind them is a big-screen TV that looks like it ought to be used for something, but instead, it remains empty. Blue Beetle is the first to speak, clearing his throat a little nervously before leaning towards the microphone. ]
Hi, and thanks for coming! I’m the Blue Beetle, and I’m here today to talk about AI rights and experiences with a couple of my friends. I’m not an AI, but I am bonded to one - just think of me as his interpreter. If he wants to say something directly, that’s what the screen behind us is for. I’m also here wiiiiiiith…
[ At which point he looks at Skeets meaningfully. Take the wheel, pal!
Skeets floats up to the microphone, nodding his whole body at Jaime in lieu of the capability to have facial expressions.]
Greetings. I am Skeets, an artificial intelligence from the 25th century housed in a BX9 robot body. My experience in these matters is probably self-evident. I don’t presume to speak on behalf of every AI, but hopefully this will begin a conversation.
So… the first thing that’s important to understand is that a lot of people think that AIs are just objects, meant to do their job and nothing else. That’s the way it is for some of the most basic AIs, but the ones that can talk to you - or heck, even the ones that can’t, and just communicate in different ways, still have feelings. They still need to be treated with the same kind of respect you’d give to anyone else. They’re not out here to steal jobs, or take over the world - well, no more than anyone else; humans kind of have a bad track record on that last one too. But most of the time, they just want to be able to exist, same as you guys.
[Skeets turns to look at Jaime for a moment, almost as if surprised.]
I hope if I ever attempt to take over the world, you’ll stop me, sir. But yes, it’s important to remember that the definition of an AI means that we’re highly intelligent, more so than even the brightest of pets. We can understand the world as much as you can.
Sometimes even more than you can. [ And with that beginning spiel over, they launch into the meat of the subjects described in their panel. It’s not particularly interesting, considering Khaji occasionally chips in with extremely obtuse text on the big screen TV and the Blue Beetle goes off on an enthusiastic but not entirely on-topic description of how human beings are made up of chemical reactions too, and that sort of programming isn’t so different from AI, and isn’t it cool that - oh no, sorry, I’m getting off topic, Skeets, you go. Skeets is mostly polite and informative throughout, though there is a bit in the middle where he very patiently explains that just because someone doesn’t have a bipedal body and is small enough to fit in a box and can access the internet with their brain doesn’t mean you should keep them in your closet for a few years.
Finally the Blue Beetle clears his throat and says, ] Anyway, moral of the story is that you just have to follow one rule. Just be -
[ He is interrupted by enormous blue text on the screen behind him. ]
DO NOT BE AN ASSHOLE
Um. I was going to say be respectful, but that works too! If you have any questions, we’re taking them. If not, I hope this was informative, and we’ll see you around.
Thank you for listening.
[ Feel free to catch Skeets and/or the Blue Beetle during Q&A or after their panel’s completed! But please specify Skeets, Blue Beetle or Both in your subject title so we know who we’re supposed to tag! ]
BLUE BEETLE; ELSEWHERE
[ The Blue Beetle does not, as people may have noticed, do a lot of public appearances. He's in the paper at a regular clip, going on patrol, stopping muggings, helping little old ladies cross the street, all that old-school hero stuff. But when it comes to the news coming by, he tends to scarper, and quick.
But now that he's here, wandering around after the panel he just hosted, trying in vain to escape some of the more eager fans who are just excited to see an unusual looking imPort, he hurries off to the charity room, where you can find him for the rest of the day. He looks like he's having a blast, staying on the kids' level and chatting with each and every one of them before hoisting them atop his shoulders or holding them beneath their arms so they can really feel like they're flying. Come say hello! ]
WILDCARD
[ Jaime is attending the con as himself too! He's frequenting artist's alley, refreshments, and a few of the other panels. Starters available upon request, or make your own! c: ]