abstract
| - A lone individual in a series known for synchronized group operation, HM743 is owned by CDMC, and has been fitted with a supplementary neural processing unit as part of a synthetic intelligence experiment. The technicians handling his project initially referred to it as an artificial intelligence experiment, but the droid itself eventually suggested the alternate designation. In hardware terms, less than a half-kilogram of HM743 is a deviation from any of the normal HM-series droids, but that half-kilo can make a world of difference. This droid can not only understand and execute complex orders, but also question them, suggest improvements, and in extreme cases, has been known to anticipate directives and complete them ahead of time. It argues, it innovates, and it gets curious — all while performing tasks of any sort. It can also experience boredom. HM743 is currently being rented out to other companies within the Union for field testing, to further the development of the droid's intelligence. This action is also rumored to get it away from its project lead, who has recently acquired, and is being treated for, a minor sedative dependency. The goal of the project is to deeply research the nature of a synthetic "mind", and to learn what advantages and disadvantages might arise with a marked increase in droid intelligence and autonomy. CDMC evaluators are balancing the possible outcomes against the inherent damages a single droid of this nature can incur.
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