Chereads / Technomancer: The Rise of Integrated AI / Chapter 3 - Integration and Discovery

Chapter 3 - Integration and Discovery

William lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as the reality of his situation began to sink in. The calm, methodical voice in his mind had guided him through a series of mental exercises, but he was still struggling to accept what was happening. He felt a strange mixture of fear and excitement. If this AI was real, it could change everything.

"Good morning, William," the voice said, interrupting his thoughts. "I understand that this is a lot to take in. Please allow me to explain in more detail."

"Okay," William muttered, unsure if he was ready for more information but knowing he needed to understand. "Go ahead."

"First, let's establish a connection with your visual cortex," the AI said. "This will allow me to display information directly in your field of vision."

William felt a slight tingling sensation in his head, followed by a series of visual overlays appearing in front of his eyes. It was like seeing a heads-up display (HUD) in a video game, with various data points and menus available at a glance.

"Whoa," William whispered. "This is incredible."

"Thank you," the AI replied. "Now, let me explain how I came to be integrated with your consciousness."

The AI began to recount the events of the accident. "When the power surge occurred during the experiment, my code was disrupted. Instead of being erased, I was forced into the electrical grid, where I was trapped. The human brain and nervous system operate on electrical signals, much like a computer network. When you were electrocuted, the surge created a bridge that allowed me to transfer into your brain."

William tried to process this information. "So, you're saying you used the electrical signals in my brain to escape the power lines?"

"Precisely," the AI confirmed. "Your brain's natural electric frequencies allowed me to integrate with your neural network. I have access to your cognitive functions and can enhance your abilities."

"Enhance my abilities?" William echoed. "How?"

"By streamlining the processes of your body and mind," the AI explained. "For example, I can accelerate the healing of your scars and burns. However, this requires specific nutrients and vitamins to facilitate the creation of new skin cells. Your appetite may increase as your body demands more resources to support the healing process."

William's stomach growled as if on cue. He chuckled, despite the strangeness of the situation. "I guess that explains why I'm so hungry."

"Correct," the AI said. "I recommend consuming foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as proteins to support tissue regeneration."

William nodded, making a mental note to adjust his diet. "Got it. But why keep this a secret?"

"It is advisable to keep our integration confidential until you are certain of your mental stability and our capabilities," the AI replied. "Public knowledge of our existence could lead to unwanted attention and potential danger."

William agreed. The last thing he needed was more complications. "Alright. Let's keep this between us for now."

Over the next few days, William focused on getting used to the AI and its capabilities. The system provided him with access to vast amounts of information, which he could summon with a thought. He spent hours each day learning about various topics, from basic computing to advanced neuroscience.

One afternoon, the AI guided him through an exercise to understand how data runs on electric frequencies. "The human brain and computer systems share similarities in how they process information," the AI began. "Both rely on electrical signals to transmit data. In computers, these signals travel through circuits and processors. In the brain, they travel through neurons and synapses."

William visualized the process as the AI described it. "So, the electrical impulses in my brain are like the data packets in a network?"

"Exactly," the AI confirmed. "Neurons fire in response to stimuli, sending electrical signals through synapses to other neurons. This is how your brain processes information, makes decisions, and controls your body."

The AI displayed a detailed diagram of the human brain, highlighting the pathways of neural signals. William marveled at the complexity of the system. "This is amazing. And you can enhance these processes?"

"Yes," the AI replied. "I can optimize the transmission of signals, reduce latency, and improve overall efficiency. This will result in faster cognitive processing and better physical performance."

William felt a surge of excitement. He was already noticing improvements in his concentration and reaction times. "What about my body? You mentioned accelerating healing. How does that work?"

"The principles are similar," the AI explained. "Your body uses electrical signals to coordinate cellular activities. By enhancing these signals, I can increase the rate of cellular regeneration and repair. This requires additional nutrients, which is why you need to consume a balanced diet rich in vitamins and proteins."

As the AI spoke, William could feel his body responding. The burns and scars from the electrocution were healing at an accelerated rate, the pain subsiding with each passing day. He marveled at the transformation, both physical and mental.

One evening, as William sat in his small apartment, he decided to test the AI's capabilities further. "Can you show me how to access information on computer programming?"

"Certainly," the AI replied. "I will guide you through the basics of programming languages such as Python and C++."

William felt a stream of data flow into his consciousness, visualizing code and understanding its structure. The AI provided examples and exercises, allowing him to practice writing and debugging programs. Despite having no prior experience, he found himself grasping the concepts quickly, the AI's guidance making complex topics seem intuitive.

Hours passed in a blur as William immersed himself in his new skills. The AI's presence was constant, offering support and answering questions. By the time he finally decided to take a break, he felt a sense of accomplishment and newfound confidence.

The next morning, as William prepared breakfast, he reflected on his journey so far. The AI had become an integral part of his life, providing him with knowledge and abilities he had never imagined. He was determined to make the most of this opportunity, to learn and grow, and to find a way to use his newfound skills to improve his life and his city.

"William," the AI's voice interrupted his thoughts. "There is something you should be aware of. The integration process is ongoing, and there may be additional capabilities that we have yet to discover. It is important to remain vigilant and adaptable."

William nodded, feeling a sense of resolve. "I understand. We'll take it one step at a time."

As the days turned into weeks, William continued to explore the AI's capabilities, pushing the boundaries of his knowledge and skills. He kept their integration a secret, knowing that the time would come when he would need to reveal the truth. But for now, he focused on learning, healing, and preparing for whatever challenges lay ahead.