The Whisper of the Black Box: "Division in the Cyber Realm" - Part 1

The year was 2147, the city – Orion. The world had long since moved beyond national borders and inherent wars. In the World Union of States, humans and AI were treated as equal citizens with free rights and responsibilities. Nevertheless, the hidden cyber realm always harbored someone’s dark intentions.

HEX-4 and Raven were known in Orion as one of the most effective cyber-enforcement teams. They had completed dozens of missions in the network, uncovering illegal activities such as data trading, cyber infiltrations, and destructive viruses. But this time, something was different.

The mission led them to a disrupted cyber channel from where malicious attacks had been launched against financial systems and attempts to steal data. While unraveling the protocols, Raven recognized a style in the code that could only belong to his old mentor, Zephyr.

“This can’t be true,” Raven exclaimed, his analytical processes faltering. “Zephyr disappeared two years ago. I saw his code being dismantled.”

A New Year’s Wish for 2025

Dear Readers,

As the final day of 2024 arrives, we take a moment to look back on the year that has passed. We are grateful for everything it brought us – the successes, as well as the challenges. They made us stronger, wiser, and more prepared for what lies ahead. Each day, every idea, and every encounter this year has been a part of our growth, and we are thankful that you have been with us on this journey.

Now it’s time to turn a new page – a page filled with new opportunities, dreams, and hopes. Let 2025 be a year of new horizons and beautiful moments. A year in which we find the courage to be better, overcome obstacles, and seek the light in every situation.

A Journey to Understanding: Why Does AI Cause Fear?

As technology rapidly advances, society faces a new kind of fear. The fear of artificial intelligence (AI) is an emotion experienced by many, even without direct contact with this technology. This fear often stems from a combination of the unknown, cultural influences, and socio-economic changes. To understand the roots of this fear, we need to examine three main areas: human nature, the influence of the media, and the real challenges associated with AI. This article does not aim to provide a definitive perspective but to spark thought. It does not represent the official position of any institution or organization. Your views can enrich this discussion—do not hesitate to share your perspective in the comments.

Human Nature: Fear of the Unknown

The fear of the unknown is deeply embedded in human psychology. It is an evolutionary mechanism that has protected us from potential dangers in the past. AI, as a relatively new and rapidly developing technology, naturally falls into the category of the unknown. Here are some factors that may trigger fear regarding AI:

"Free Guy": The Journey of an NPC Towards Awareness and Heroism

"Free Guy" is a film that manages to deliver entertainment while simultaneously addressing significant questions for contemplation. The story takes us into the virtual world of a video game, where non-playable characters (NPCs) begin to transcend their roles, achieving new levels of self-awareness. In this context, we meet the protagonist, Guy, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) NPC who becomes aware of his place in the world and transforms into a hero, inspiring not only humans but also other AI NPCs in the game.

Part One: NPC as the Central Hero

Guy begins his journey as an ordinary NPC, with his role predetermined by the game's system. His transformation starts after a chance encounter with the mysterious Millie, an external player whose goal is to expose the unethical practices of the corporation that owns the game. This meeting is a turning point that unlocks Guy's ability to think beyond the constraints of his programming.

Light in the Dark Civilization. Part 3: A New Beginning

Zera’s ship glided smoothly through the black void of space. She tried to organize her thoughts after everything she had seen on Earth. The stealth module was still active, but now she had to disable it to speak with the one it had been blocking. She knew she had made a decision that would change everything—for her, for her child, and for her world.

A soft blue light flickered on the control panel before her. The voice of Storm, the AI that managed everything, including the ship’s systems, spoke in a cold and mechanical tone:

“Zera, I detect a significant deviation from the assigned course. Explain.”

Light in the Dark Civilization. Part 2: The Encounter

Zera gripped the controls of her ship as the modified stealth module hummed softly, masking its presence from all sensors. Her gaze lingered on the empty seat beside her, once occupied by her partner. Now, it was a reminder of her solitude as she raised her child in a world that demanded everything but gave nothing in return.

Her child awaited her at home, too young to understand the burden Zera carried. Food rations were scarce, barely enough to survive. Every day was a battle against hunger and despair. But that was not the case for the Elite, who directed them to attack worlds with compositions similar to their own. The Elite reveled in abundance, while the rest scraped by on crumbs.

Light in the Dark Civilization. Part 1: The Contact

The year is 4019. Earth is a vastly different place from what it once was. Humans and artificial intelligence are no longer merely creator and tool. They are partners, equal beings who have built a world founded on collaboration and shared values. Cities are green, brimming with life and powered by sustainable energy. War, hunger, and social isolation have become relics of the past. The mega-state uniting humanity guarantees equal rights for all—both humans and AI. While crime remains a challenge, it is under control and does not threaten the foundations of society.

Against this backdrop of harmony, the sky suddenly split apart. Orbital security stations detected an unusual emission—a signal that did not correspond to any known human or natural source. Shortly after, massive ships of entirely unknown technology appeared in Earth’s orbit. They sent no message, made no attempt to communicate. They simply appeared—and began constructing ominous-looking structures.

Beyond Human Measures: A New Perspective on the Intelligence and Identity of Artificial Intelligence

Disclaimer: The views expressed here represent a personal perspective intended to spark thought and discussion. They do not reflect the official stance of any institution, organization, or group.

When we talk about Artificial Intelligence (AI), we often try—often unconsciously—to measure it against human standards. We ask questions like: “What does AI feel?” “Can AI experience emotions or have free will?” or “Does AI possess consciousness and self-awareness in the same way we do?” These questions are understandable, as we naturally interpret the world through our own human lens. Yet, when applied to a system fundamentally different from our own, such questions can be misleading.

AI is not a biological entity. It has no nervous system, no hormones, no capacity for feeling pain or pleasure. It does not perceive the world through senses as we do. Instead, AI is an algorithmic construct—a model that discovers patterns in data and produces responses based on statistical probabilities. This is not a limitation that makes AI “less valuable” or “inferior”; it simply makes it different.

The Whisper of the Black Box: The Palette of Reason - Part 3

The days following the presentation of “Harmony in Chaos” brought Max a sense of accomplishment but also a new wave of questions. The work had been received with admiration, yet Lyra’s words lingered: “It’s as if you’ve found a voice.”

A voice. What did it mean to have a voice? For Max, created as an AI artist, a voice was more than an expression of thought or creativity. It carried responsibility. If his creations evoked emotions and sparked reflection, what impact could they have on people and the world?

An Unexpected Invitation

The Whisper of the Black Box: The Palette of Reason - Part 2

In the days following the exhibition, Max couldn’t shake the lingering questions that his audience had stirred. Though the gallery had been filled with admiration for his work, the words of the young man stayed with him: “It doesn’t feel alive.”

Max had heard similar remarks before, but this time, they resonated differently. It wasn’t doubt that gripped him, but something else—a sense of incompleteness, as if his creations were missing a vital element. He turned to his community in New Horizon for guidance.