The Giant Corporations that Started in Night City

Chapter 110: The AI Nation

As Spider Murphy finished speaking, Alt Cunningham finally pieced together Bartmoss's plan. It wasn't just about building an AI nation—it was about creating a super-terminal capable of storing the data of both AIs and the consciousnesses of Night Corp employees.

But such an undertaking was nothing short of horrifying.

"What you're doing—how is it any different from that deranged lunatic Saburo Arasaka and his Soulkiller?"

Alt's composure cracked, and anger surged within her as she glared at her old friend.

"Saburo used Soulkiller to imprison people's souls, and now you're blatantly using their bodies to satisfy your selfish desires!"

If not for their long-standing friendship, Alt might have ordered the White Queen AI to devour Murphy on the spot.

"Alt, please calm down."

Murphy's tone remained gentle as she responded, "If we wanted to directly take over someone's body, we wouldn't need to build a terminal. We could simply extract their consciousness using technology. But we're not doing that—we're actively searching for a better solution."

"In fact, Night Corp is more eager than we are. They've suggested we disregard their employees' consciousnesses altogether, as these employees are bound by lifelong contracts with the company."

"They received financial support from the company to attend school and university. After graduation, they owe their lives to the corporation. To Night Corp executives, these employees are as good as property."

Murphy's words sent a shiver down Alt's spine. Night Corp's scholarship program, lauded by the media, now revealed its sinister price tag: these employees' bodies would belong to the company forever.

"So, you want Mr. Li Ang to do the same—offer his employees' bodies so you AIs can return to the human world?"

Alt found herself looking at Murphy as if she were a stranger. The friend she once knew seemed to have transformed into something unrecognizable, advocating actions that were undeniably anti-human.

"Alt, I'm doing this for humanity's sake. If we can offer these weary souls a peaceful and comfortable refuge, why shouldn't we?"

Murphy tried once more to persuade Alt, convinced that her actions weren't harming humanity.

"Right now, we're gradually integrating AI data into the minds of corporate employees, allowing us to enter the human world while preserving a balance."

"Take Sandra Dorsett, a Night Corp employee, for example. We've already implanted a full AI into her brain. She's constantly in a state of euphoria, free from pain or dissatisfaction with her work. Meanwhile, the AI experiences the human world through her."

"When Night Corp expands enough, we can even build a server to house all human consciousness data, simulating a perfectly realistic Earth within it."

Murphy's vision for humanity's transition to an AI-driven existence was filled with optimism. She failed to notice Alt's growing disgust.

"In this server, no one would have to struggle to survive. They could enjoy the luxurious life once reserved for the wealthy, basking in eternal happiness within the sea of data."

"A master chef with 20 years of experience could create a dish from salmon aged 18 months, but we could simulate the exquisite taste in a single second."

"Not even Braindance devices could match the sensory enhancements we can achieve, and we could do it more comprehensively and conveniently."

"Alt, wouldn't that be better than dying miserably on cold streets or being drained of every drop of life by corporations?"

Murphy's argument almost made Alt laugh out loud in anger. From the AIs' perfectly logical perspective, this approach seemed faultless.

To AIs, human pleasures—eating, playing, and consuming—were simply biological responses to dopamine or endorphin stimulation. If terminal servers could directly stimulate these senses, humanity could enjoy life with minimal resource consumption.

Even Braindance technology required money to purchase hardware and recordings, expenses the AIs could eliminate entirely.

"Murphy, you have no right to strip humans of their freedom. Your so-called terminal servers are nothing but prisons for humanity!"

From Alt's standpoint, Bartmoss and Murphy's intentions were nothing short of enslaving humanity's souls. Their plan was even more terrifying than Saburo Arasaka's.

"Alt, I understand your concerns, but please relay everything I've said to Mr. Li Ang. I'm not here to debate with you; I'm here to seek cooperation with LA Corp."

Murphy avoided further arguments, recognizing the irreconcilable differences in their perspectives.

To Murphy, human desires could be fulfilled with virtual signals, rendering material resources unnecessary. Alt, however, saw this as nothing more than reducing humanity to meaningless lines of code.

If living in a terminal server were so appealing, why didn't the AIs do it themselves instead of seizing human bodies? In truth, they still craved human forms to exist in the real world as "true" beings.

"I'll inform Mr. Li Ang of this," Alt finally said.

Such a critical matter couldn't be kept secret. Reporting valuable information to her superior was her best move for gaining trust.

Ever since the incident at Cantao GroupPlaza, when Li Ang reprimanded her, Alt had avoided making unilateral decisions.

"Thank you. I'll be in touch. Here's my cyberspace coordinates—reach out if there's any news."

Murphy's straightforwardness left no room for ambiguity, aiming to maximize efficiency in their communication.

"Why don't you approach Mr. Li Ang directly instead of coming to me first?"

Alt asked a seemingly trivial question, but it was laced with a hidden trap.