Marvel: Breezing Through History as an Eternal

Chapter 213: The Dangers of Sentient AI. 2015 CE

[Temporary SWORD HQ, Antarctica]

After the success of the HYDRA purge operation, the team decided to throw a small party in the HQ. all of the members were invited, even the security council were invited too. The Avengers were the so-called ‘freaks’ of this party. They sat in the corner of the room, drinking champagne and eating pizza.

“Go on, try to lift it.” said Thor, putting his Mjolnir on the ground.

“I’ll go first.” said Clint Barton, getting in position. He tried to pull Mjolnir off the ground, but it didn’t budge whatsoever. “Nope. Natasha?”

“I’ll pass.” she said, forcing a smile. She seemed to have a lot in her mind.

“Doctor Banner. Why don’t you try?” Thor smiled, seemingly taunting him.

“Nah, I don’t—”

“Come on Banner.” Clint pushed Banner towards the Mjolnir.

“Alright, don’t blame me if something happens.” Banner walked towards Mjolnir, and pull it from the ground as hard as he could. His neck even turned green for a second, but ultimately, he failed. “See? Didn’t work.”

“Cap?” Clint asked Rogers, who acted shy for a second, but eventually gave in. He got into position, and tried to pull the hammer. He realized that it was quite light, but he didn't want Thor to embarrass himself, so he faked it, but it twitched, so Thor knew the truth.

“Can’t.” said Rogers with a fake smile.

Thor recovered his smile, and shouted to the rest of the team. “Anybody else?”

Suddenly, a Greek woman, Anna, walked into the crowd, she looked a bit impatient, and she asked the team. “Where’s Stark?”

“I don’t know, miss.” said Clint, obviously lying. Anna looked at Thor, who just shrugged.

She growled at the team, and suddenly grabbed Mjolnir, raising it, and pointing the hammer at Clint. “Where’s Stark?”

The entire room went silent, Thor’s face literally fell, from a smile to a look of embarrassment.

“H-He’s in the lab…” stuttered Clint.

Anna smiled. “Thank you, wasn’t so hard, was it?”

—

[In the lab]

Stark was examining two holograms that were placed side by side. One was orange, and the other one was blue. He looked like he was deep in thinking, tons of ideas flooding right through his brain.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” a voice suddenly sounded from behind him. As Stark turned around, he saw King Grodd, with his gigantic build, walking towards him.

“Your majesty.” Tony nodded. “I’m surprised I didn’t hear you at all.”

“Ah, yes.” said Grodd, showing Stark his shoes. “I am testing some force-dampener shoes, everytime I walk I seem to scare the shit out of people because of the tremor.”

Tony just smirked at the king. “I kinda like it. It’s part of your charm.”

Grodd laughed, his voice heavy. “That is very kind of you to say.”

Grodd then walked towards the two holograms. “Are you comparing your AI with a sentient stone?”

“Pardon?” Stark said, quite surprised with Grodd’s words. “A.. sentient stone?”

“Ah, you don’t know.” Grodd hummed. “What you are seeing right here is an engram of an old and sentient entity of the universe. It cannot be compared to your AI, because unlike yours, this cannot be controlled.”

“I’m sorry your majesty, i’m not following what you’re saying.” said Stark. “Are you saying that I’m looking at a god right now? Like an actual god?”

“More of an origin point, rather than a god.” Grodd explained. “This scepter contained one of the six singularities that was created when the big bang occured. This construct you are seeing right now is an engram of a mind stone. The origin point of how we think, how we imagine, and so on and so forth.”

Stark pulled his head a little as he looked at the construct in front of him. “Huh… Is that supposed to be a new discovery or something? Cause I never heard of it.”

Grodd chuckled. “The mysteries of the universe are vast Mr. Stark, even I cannot possibly know it all. Anyway, do you want to use that engram for your Ultron program?”

“How do you—”

“Any SWORD program that requires authorisation goes through me, Mr. Stark.”

“Right…” Stark cleared his throat. “Do you think it’ll work?”

“Yes. It will work beyond what you imagine.” Grodd answered. “Such is the danger of a sentient AI.”

“Meaning?”

“The worst thing about a sentient AI is that they are unpredictable Mr. Stark.” explained Grodd. “If it gets activated, and you input the model of the AI, it will choose the most effective path and thoroughly believes in it, at that point, you cannot stop it anymore. For example, if you input the command of the AI to ‘Protect Earth’, and if the AI concludes that the best solution is to get rid of humanity, what will you do?”

“Yeah that may be a problem…” Stark hummed. “So what do you suggest?”

“You tell me, Mr. Stark. It’s your project.” Grodd smiled. “In fact, I haven’t authorized it, so I’d like to hear the reason why you want to create this project.”

“Well, what I’d hope is that we as protectors of the earth will not meaninglessly sacrifice our lives anymore if suits of armor can defend earth itself,” said Stark. “When aliens attack again, it will be gone before it even touches our atmosphere.”

“So you imagine your suits of armor at every inch of the world?”

“Yes.” said Stark.

“Watching every human being's movement?”

“Well…”

“That is quite a cold world, Mr. Stark.” said Grodd.

“I’ve seen colder.”

“And what’s the difference between your project and Hydra’s Project Insight?”

“The difference is we actually help people.” Stark answered. “And your Majesty, the Ultron Program will not interfere with people’s life, it will just be a response team, wherever SWORD cannot deal with faraway threat.”

Grodd sighed. “Very well, for now, I will authorize it, but I will also work with you, so you won’t stray too far from the goal.”

Stark clapped his hands. “Got it, you won’t regret it, you can babysit me whenever you want.”