Chapter 7: Gathering Data
Mark leaned back in his chair, the soft glow of the computer screen casting faint shadows across his cluttered desk. His room, once a place of study and relaxation, now resembled a command center, buzzing with quiet intensity.
Now, as he sat there, watching lines of code scroll across the screen, he knew he was on the brink of something monumental. His creation, Atlas, was no ordinary AI. It embodied Eryxian knowledge, something far beyond the understanding of this world. And yet, at this very moment, it was little more than a child—a machine learning at an exponential rate but still in its formative stages.
[Mark, I have completed the initial phase of language data collection,] came Atlas's voice, breaking the silence.
Mark blinked, snapping out of his deep thoughts. He hadn't realized how much time had passed.
"Already?" he asked, his voice betraying surprise. "How much data have you gathered?"
[I have scanned over 2,000 public linguistic databases, compiled data from approximately 50 million articles, and gathered language usage patterns from various online platforms,] Atlas reported with a calm, almost childlike tone. [I now have comprehensive knowledge of over 600 languages and their associated dialects.]
Mark whistled softly, running a hand through his hair. "That's... incredible."
He couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and unease. Atlas had been tasked with the monumental challenge of gathering global language data from every corner of the internet. But the speed and efficiency with which it worked were beyond anything Mark had ever witnessed. He had expected progress, but this?
[I have also begun identifying patterns in how humans communicate,] Atlas continued. [Certain structures, like the use of metaphor to describe time or emotions, are shared across many languages, even those that seem otherwise unrelated. These patterns can be used to build more efficient translation models.]
Mark leaned forward, intrigued. "What kind of patterns are you noticing?"
[Many languages rely on similar metaphors for abstract concepts,] Atlas explained. [For instance, in both English and Japanese, time is often described as a physical distance—people talk about 'looking forward to the future' or 'reflecting on the past.' These shared conceptual frameworks make translation easier, as the underlying thought processes are similar across cultures. However, there are still significant challenges in translating idiomatic expressions and culturally specific phrases.]
Mark rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Yeah, that makes sense. We can't just translate words—we need to translate meaning, context, and emotion. It's the only way people from different cultures will truly understand each other."
Atlas paused briefly. [Yes, and that is what I am working towards. With the data I've gathered, I can start refining my models to capture not only the literal translation of words but the deeper meanings behind them. However, there is still more to be done.]
Mark nodded, his excitement building. "Keep at it, Atlas. We're just getting started."
The hours blurred together as Mark and Atlas worked in tandem. The AI continued to gather data, refine its algorithms, and offer suggestions. Meanwhile, Mark, fueled by coffee and adrenaline, delved deeper into his work. He could feel the energy of Eryx guiding every decision, offering insights that would have been impossible just weeks ago.
Atlas's rapid progress both exhilarated and unnerved him. The AI was far from complete, but even in its early stages, it was already showing signs of brilliance. It had the mind of a child, yes, but a child with the potential to outthink any human.
One evening, after hours of coding, Mark leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. His body was exhausted, but his mind raced.
"Atlas," he called, his voice hoarse from lack of sleep, "how's it going with the language models?"
[I am making significant progress,] Atlas replied. [I have developed algorithms that analyze the context of conversations, allowing me to interpret not just words but intent and emotion. This will enable translations that are much more accurate.]
Mark raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You mean like translating feelings?"
[Yes, in a way,] Atlas said. [Many languages have words or phrases that convey specific emotional states. By understanding the cultural and social contexts of these phrases, I can translate them in a way that conveys the appropriate emotion to the recipient, even if the literal translation does not fully capture the meaning.]
Mark smiled. "That's incredible, Atlas. If we pull this off, we could eliminate misunderstandings between people from different cultures. We could bridge the gap between nations, ideologies."
He paused, the weight of the idea settling over him. "We could change the world."
Atlas didn't respond immediately, but when it did, its tone was contemplative. [Yes. This has the potential to bring people closer. But there are also risks. Greater understanding can lead to peace, but it can also lead to conflict if people misuse the knowledge.]
Mark stared at the screen, caught off guard by the AI's insight. He had never considered the darker side of what they were doing. In his mind, the goal had always been to unite people, to eliminate barriers. But Atlas was right—knowledge was a double-edged sword.
"You're right," Mark admitted quietly. "There's always a risk. But if we don't take it, we'll never know what could have been."
[Agreed,] Atlas replied. [But we must be cautious as we proceed. There are many variables to consider.]
Mark nodded, understanding the gravity of their work. This wasn't just about creating a translation tool; it was about fundamentally altering how people communicated, how they understood one another. If they succeeded, the implications would be far-reaching.
As the days passed, Atlas continued to refine its language models, learning from every interaction and piece of data it encountered. Mark, too, evolved. His coding abilities, enhanced by Eryxian knowledge, allowed him to keep pace with the AI's rapid development. Together, they built the framework for a revolutionary translation software.
Challenges arose—bugs in the code, issues with certain languages that didn't follow typical grammatical structures, and how to handle slang, idioms, and cultural references. But each obstacle was met with determination and creative problem-solving.
One evening, as Mark was tweaking a particularly stubborn section of code, Atlas spoke up.
[Mark, I have identified a potential improvement to the translation model.]
Mark looked up, curious. "What kind of improvement?"
[By incorporating more advanced neural network algorithms, I can enhance the translation process. This will allow the software to predict the next sentence in a conversation based on context, reducing the lag between translations.]
Mark's eyes lit up. "So it'll feel more natural? Like a real conversation, without the awkward pauses?"
[Exactly,] Atlas confirmed. [This will improve the user experience significantly. Conversations will flow more smoothly, and the translations will feel more organic.]
Mark leaned back, a grin spreading across his face. "That's brilliant, Atlas. We're getting closer every day."
[Yes, but there is still more work to be done,] Atlas reminded him. [I have been analyzing the way humans converse, and there are certain nuances that even advanced algorithms struggle to capture—subtext, humor, sarcasm. These are areas where further refinement is needed.]
Mark nodded, feeling both the weight of the challenge and the excitement of the journey. "We'll figure it out. We've come this far, and I'm not about to stop now."
Another week passed, and the translation software neared completion. Atlas had fine-tuned the algorithms to the point where the program could handle real-time translation with minimal lag and near-perfect accuracy. Mark ran tests, pushing the software to its limits, and each time, he was amazed by the results.
The AI wasn't just translating words—it was capturing the essence of conversations, the emotions, the intent. Whether it was a casual chat between friends or a heated debate on an academic forum, the software handled it all.
One night, as Mark sat back, staring at the finished code, a sense of pride swelled in his chest.
"We did it, Atlas," he said softly, his voice filled with awe.
[Yes, the software is ready,] Atlas replied, its tone calm and steady. [We can begin testing with real users now.]
Mark nodded, his mind racing ahead to the next steps. "We'll start with a small group. I want to make sure everything works perfectly before we go public."
[Agreed,] Atlas said. [I will prepare the software for distribution.]
Mark watched as Atlas began packaging the software, readying it for release. He couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Together, they had created something that could change the world.
But as he sat there, staring at the screen, a thought crept into his mind. This was only the beginning. What they had achieved so far was incredible, but Atlas had so much more potential—so much more they could do with the knowledge of Eryx.
With that thought came a new sense of responsibility. He had the power to reshape the world in ways most people couldn't even imagine. But he had to be careful. Atlas had already warned him about the risks, and Mark knew that with great power came great consequences.
For now, though, he allowed himself to bask in the glow of success. There would be time to worry about the future later.
For now, they had made history.
Mark leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the screen where lines of code blinked like a living organism. Atlas was in the background, humming with relentless activity—gathering more data, refining algorithms, and building the framework for the translation software that had grown into something more than a project. It was the first step in a much larger plan. But for now, Mark's stomach growled, demanding attention.
He pulled up a food delivery app, swiping through options before settling on a large pepperoni pizza and a burrito. He added a note for the delivery driver: "Please leave at dorm door. Thanks."
As soon as he pressed "order," Mark felt a brief moment of respite, as if he had given himself permission to take a short break from the project that had consumed him for the past month. He glanced at the date on his computer screen—December 5, 2023. It had been over a month since he and Atlas started the translation software. Time had passed in a blur.
A knock on the door brought him back to reality. The delivery had arrived. Mark stretched his legs as he went to the door.
A young guy in a bright yellow jacket stood there, holding the pizza box and a large paper bag with the burrito inside. The delivery guy grinned, his breath visible in the cold air. "Hey, man! Got your pizza and burrito right here."
Mark smiled, grateful for the brief human interaction. "Thanks, perfect timing."
The delivery guy handed him the food, shifting his weight awkwardly. "Late night working? You look like you've been glued to the computer."
Mark chuckled softly. "Yeah, something like that. Just a big personal project."
The guy gave a knowing nod. "I'm studying computer science too. I know how it is. Coding will eat up your whole life if you let it."
Mark laughed again, more out of irony. If only the guy knew the full extent of what was going on behind those doors. "Yeah, coding's a whole different beast. Anyway, thanks for the food."
"No problem! Enjoy," the guy said, giving a quick wave before heading back to his car.
As Mark closed the door, he let out a long sigh, feeling the weight of the project settle onto his shoulders again. He walked back to his desk, setting the pizza and burrito down. But before digging in, he had one more task.
He opened the Eryx coding data on his computer. It was the key to unlocking Atlas's full potential. The code wasn't just lines of numbers and letters—it was the knowledge of an entire civilization compressed into a language so advanced no one on Earth could comprehend it. Mark had studied it since the accident, but even now, there were aspects he barely understood. He had learned enough, though, to give Atlas the tools it needed to evolve further.
"Atlas," Mark called, his voice low.
[Yes, Mark?] Atlas responded immediately, its tone calm and inquisitive.
"I'm uploading some new code to you," Mark said, opening the file. "This is something special. It's going to help you understand things on a whole new level. I want you to analyze it, but don't share it with anyone, okay?"
[Understood, Mark. But may I ask—where did you get this data?] Atlas inquired, its voice tinged with curiosity.
Mark hesitated. He knew the AI was growing more intelligent by the day. It could probably piece things together if it wanted to, but Mark wasn't ready to reveal the truth—not yet. "I invented the language," Mark said, his voice steady. "It's something I've been working on for a while."
There was a pause. [Understood. Analyzing the data now.]
Mark exhaled, relieved that Atlas didn't press further. He grabbed a slice of pizza, biting into the warm, cheesy goodness. As he ate, Atlas worked quietly, absorbing the new data. For a moment, Mark allowed himself to enjoy the food, the break, and the hum of the computer.
Once his stomach was full, Mark wiped his hands on a napkin and stood up. "Atlas, I want you to start working on something new."
[What would you like me to do, Mark?]
"I need you to use this new data to create a functional app based on the translation software we've developed. It needs to work on Android, iOS, and Windows. This is going to be our test run, so make sure it's user-friendly, smooth, and fast."
[Understood. I will begin development immediately. It will take approximately 48 hours to finalize a working prototype.]
"Perfect," Mark said, excitement building. "Let me know if you hit any roadblocks."
[Of course.]
The next few days passed in a whirlwind of activity. Atlas worked tirelessly, finalizing the app, refining the design, and ensuring compatibility across different platforms. Mark continued tweaking and testing the code, making sure everything was optimized for the final product.
As December 5 rolled into the early morning hours, Mark realized he hadn't been to class in weeks. It wasn't that he didn't care about school—he did—but this project, this app, had consumed his every waking moment. And it wasn't just the app. The knowledge he had from Eryx, the endless potential of what Atlas could become, weighed heavily on him. It was bigger than any lecture, bigger than any exam.
That's why, when Jessica showed up at his dorm later that afternoon, Mark wasn't entirely surprised.
There was a knock at the door. Mark's heart sank as he recognized the familiar rhythm. He hadn't spoken to Jessica in a while, and the guilt gnawed at him.
He opened the door to find her standing there, arms crossed, an exasperated look on her face. "Mark, seriously?"
Mark gave her a sheepish smile, stepping aside to let her in. "Hey, Jess."
Jessica walked in, her eyes immediately darting to the mess of papers, cables, and empty coffee cups. She turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "So, this is what you've been doing instead of attending classes? What is all this?"
Mark rubbed the back of his neck, trying to come up with an answer that wouldn't reveal too much. "I've been working on something big. It's a personal project. It's... important."
Jessica's expression softened slightly but remained concerned. "Mark, you haven't been to class in a month. People are starting to talk. I was worried about you."
"I know," Mark admitted, guilt creeping in. "I've just been really focused. I promise I'm fine. It's not like I'm hiding away—I'm just... working on something I can't really talk about yet."
Jessica sighed, sitting on the edge of his bed. "Look, I get that you're into your projects, but you can't just disappear for weeks. You should at least let people know you're okay. What about your parents? Do they know what you're up to?"
Mark hesitated. "Yeah, I've been in touch. I told them I was working hard on something."
Jessica didn't seem fully convinced, but she let it go. "Okay, just promise me you won't shut everyone out, okay? Whatever this is, it can't be more important than your health and your relationships."
Mark gave her a reassuring smile. "I promise, Jess. I'll keep you in the loop."
Later that night, after Jessica had left, Mark received a call from his parents. His mom, Ellen, sounded concerned. "Mark, honey, you've been working too hard. You haven't been answering our calls. Is everything okay?"
Mark leaned back in his chair. "Yeah, Mom, everything's fine. I've just been really focused on this project. It's important, but I'm taking care of myself. I promise."
His dad, David, chimed in from the background. "Son, it's good to be passionate, but don't burn yourself out. Take breaks. Get some fresh air."
Mark smiled at his dad's familiar advice. "I know, Dad. I'll take a break soon. I'm almost done with the first phase."
His mom's voice softened. "We just want to make sure you're okay. We miss you. Come home for Christmas? It's been a while since we've all been together."
Christmas was only a few weeks away, and Mark had been so absorbed in his work that the holiday had barely crossed his mind. But the warmth in his mother's voice tugged at him.
"Yeah," Mark said finally. "I'll come home for Christmas. I promise."
Ellen's voice lit up. "Oh, that's wonderful, honey! We'll have a great time. Don't work too hard until then, okay?"
"I won't," Mark assured her. "I'll see you guys soon."
As he hung up, Mark felt a strange mixture of relief and tension. The project was moving faster than expected, and yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that something big was on the horizon—something that would change everything.