Keeper of the algorithm.., p.15
Keeper of the Algorithm (The Keeper Saga Book 1), page 15
Days turned into weeks, and the nation watched as its nuclear deterrence forces once more stood strong, impervious to attack.
The Dynamo-altered Algorithm had fulfilled its promise.
Chapter 38
Bedfellows
Mike stepped into the dimly lit office. Manfred Gault was engrossed with multiple data feeds on his screens. A sense of urgency lingered in the air, a byproduct of the Chinese threat.
"Stewart, you're late. Was your girlfriend keeping you?" Gault sneered, not tearing his eyes away from the monitors.
Mike ignored the bait.
"You violated the review procedures for the Algorithm. I will see that you are held accountable for that," said Gault.
"I expected no less," said Mike.
Gault stared at Mike.
Mike said, "We need to talk about the Algorithm. Its capabilities are accelerating. The new liquid neural networks can learn on the job, even after they complete training. This allows them to adapt to new information and changes in their environment."
Gault looked up, his eyes narrowing. "You think I don't know that? Unsupervised learning algorithms don’t always provide the correct answers. My concern is that you may not fully appreciate the stakes. After all, you're a relative newcomer."
“We are all playing for the same stakes, Dr. Gault. We’re playing for our lives regardless of how you might value a life. From the trillionaire living on his remote island, to the lowest peasant laboring in a rice paddy, we each bet our lives on the vital decisions we make.”
"And your point?" Gault questioned, leaning back.
"I've seen enough to know we're playing with fire. The machine learning models are reaching a point of predictive accuracy that could be catastrophically dangerous to us all."
Gault frowned.
"We've avoided one disaster," Mike said cautiously. "But we're not in the clear. The Algorithm is becoming an authority unto itself. It needs oversight, something beyond just you or me."
Gault was silent for a moment, considering. "You're suggesting we share control, add checks and balances? Interesting, considering I still have doubts about you."
Mike caught the undercurrent of suspicion but decided to press on. "Our personal issues aside, the focus should be creating a safeguard. A fail-safe mechanism or, better yet, an ethical oversight committee."
"A committee," Gault chuckled darkly, "because nothing says efficiency like a committee."
"It's not about efficiency; it's about ethical responsibility," Mike countered.
Gault looked at him with an expression that hovered between disdain and reluctant agreement. "Fine. We'll explore this idea of oversight beyond our traditional review process. But know this . . . my eyes are on you as much as they are on the Algorithm."
"Likewise," Mike said, locking eyes with him. "Because we're in this together, whether we like it or not."
Manfred sighed, "I suppose we are. But remember, if you trip up, I won't hesitate to cut you lose."
Mike nodded, accepting the fragile truce for what it was. "Then let's make sure neither of us has to."
As Mike left, Gault said, "Be careful, Stewart. We're walking on the razor’s edge, and I don't know which way we'll fall."
"Agreed," Mike said, pausing at the threshold. "One more thing, we'll need buy-in from Jacob Winters for any regulatory committee."
Gault's eyes flicked with momentary uncertainty. "Ah, yes. Winters. A man even more enigmatic than the Algorithm itself."
"His endorsement would give the committee the gravitas it needs," Mike added. "But convincing him won't be easy. His life's work is embedded in the Algorithm. He may see oversight as an existential threat to his legacy."
Gault pondered this. "Winters has always played his cards close to his chest. Approaching him will be delicate."
"But necessary. We can't afford to work in silos anymore. The stakes are too high," Mike emphasized.
Gault looked at Mike with a newfound respect. "Very well, we'll add that to our growing list of impossible tasks. You tackle the Algorithm. I'll see about cracking the enigma that is Jacob Winters."
As Mike stepped into the corridor, he said, "It's a deal.”
Chapter 39
Keeper of the Secret
Jacob Winters said, "The aftermath of the Algorithm War brought to light the chinks in our Algorithm. We need resilient computer science methodologies to eliminate false data and ensure truth."
Winter’s warm office offered Mike a chance to reflect on all that had happened. “Yes, sir. But the war isn’t over. It has merely paused as each side reassess its next move.
“That’s a possibility,” said the Winters. “Michael, you did a good thing.”
Mike sat tall in his chair. “Thank you, sir, but others did as much.”
“True enough. But we couldn’t have done it without you.”
He paused before adding, “Many people have investigated the possibilities of an Algorithm War, but none have had your vision of resolving it. You’ve accomplished more in a few months than many have in years. The fact is, we owe you an enormous debt.”
There was quiet recognition in his words.
“I’m just glad I could help a troubling situation,” said Mike. “But there’s still a great deal ahead.”
Winters said, “One more thing, Michael. Your new responsibilities will address the crucial failing uncovered in the Algorithm War. AI has introduced hidden secrets within machine learning that are crucial to our future.”
Mike said, “Letting AI train itself is like giving a child a complex jigsaw puzzle without a picture on the box as a guide. We can never be sure what he’ll come up with. We need resilient oversight to understand what training means for the next generation of AI. That goal will not be easily achieved.”
“Yes. I know,” said Winters. “I’ve approved a new committee to oversee unsupervised machine training. I’m calling its leader the Keeper of the Secret.”
For a second, Winters smiled. Then, a shadow passed over his face. He said, “There remains the problem of how to deal fairly with you. You are responsible for numerous legal violations. So, while you can continue here at Turing, you may suffer some penalties and restrictions.”
Mike concentrated on keeping his breathing slow and even.
Winters’s voice softened as he said, “You must realize that because of the situation's politics, it is impossible for me to, in any way, show open approval of your actions. I can’t give a free license to violate the review process of changing the Algorithm.”
Mike said, “I have already stated, on the record, that I stand by my decision and am willing to accept the consequence.”
“I appreciate that,” he said, nodding. “It’s a complicated judgment. It takes both insight and courage. That’s why we need men like you. Not everyone can make a difference.”
Mike’s lips spread into a slow smile as he said, “Thank you. That means a great deal to me.”
Winters studied him carefully for a few seconds. “One piece of advice, young man. Don’t allow the harsh judgments of others rule your life.”
“If this experience has taught me one thing,” said Mike ironically, “it’s to stay true to myself.”
Winters said, “Then this should reinforce that lesson.”
He held out a certificate nominating Mike to be the Keeper of the Secret.
“Thank you. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Chapter 40
Bewildering
A month later, Mike stood before Amber, struggling to articulate the confused emotions bombarding him. He understood that some people could provide much-needed clarity to your life, anchoring you. She had that impact on him. Yet, he thought,
Can we make a future together?
He locked eyes with her and touched her cheek. She leaned into him, resting her head on his chest.
"Michael, I’m madly in love with you," she said. "But you've been hiding something. I need you to be honest with me."
Mike hesitated, then whispered, "I don't want to make a mistake I'll regret."
"Then tell me what's keeping us apart?" she asked.
Instead of answering, he pulled her closer and kissed her. For a moment, they lost themselves in their passion.
When they pulled apart, she pleaded, "Michael, what's going on?"
He swiped a lock of hair from his eyes and said, "I used to be able to picture it . . . you know . . . a career and a normal life. Perhaps, even someone who loved me.” He took a moment just staring at Amber. Shaking his head, he added, “I wish I knew why love is so bewildering."
She smiled. "Love is simple.”
Mike’s eyes grew wide.
She said, “You merely have to love the other person more than yourself.”
He took a deep breath before revealing, “Amber, I’m a fraud. I’m not Michael Stewart.”
She furrowed her brows in surprise.
“I’m Mike Wilder.”
“Who?”
“I was expelled from MIT over a year ago and resorted to taking other people's exams for money. When I took the Turing exam for Stewart, I was caught in a web of lies.”
She looked stunned and pulled away from him.
For a moment, Mike thought she would walk away, but though she wavered, she remained.
He continued, “By telling you this, I’ve put my fate in your hands.”
For a long moment, Amber stared at him as if weighing each of their prospects separately and then together.
Finally, she said, "I didn’t fall in love with a name. I know the man you are.”
She put her arms around him. “I said I love you, and I meant it. Leave the past behind us."
Mike forced a weak smile. "This makes you, my accomplice."
She laughed. “That’s all I ever wanted.”
From the Author
I hope you enjoyed Keeper of the Algorithm.
I’m sure it was not what you expected. However, it was both a challenge and a joy to write.
In one sense the Keeper of the Algorithm was a typical technothriller. But to realistically characterize AI’s potential and future, required digging deep into technology explanations. For those with an AI background this makes it interesting. For those without, it might be daunting.
I would be grateful if you would consider writing a supportive review on Amazon. Reviews are the life blood of a book’s longevity. It gets the book into more hands. If you feel this book deserves to be read, then I would appreciate your support.
H. Peter Alesso
H. Peter Alesso
COMING SOON:
KEEPER OF THE SECRET
Mike, Jonah, and Amber had been granted special access to the inner sanctum. Within its walls was the Keeper of the Secret, where the fledgling AI were trained using machine learning.
"It's hard to believe that in this room lies the secret to AI's self-propagation," Mike whispered.
With a curious glint, Jonah asked, "What exactly is the secret? Every AI developer knows neural networks train on data. What's so mysterious here?"
Amber explained, "It's not about the training. It's about the initiation. How does one AI instruct another? That's the secret. The Keeper holds the essence of AI self-replication and the protocols they pass on."
Mike approached a terminal, pulling up a holographic interface. He navigated to a document labeled Protocols. "Here it is. The AI's instruction set for its successors."
Amber leaned in, reading the flowing lines of advanced code, logic gates, and data flow diagrams. "It's almost poetic," she mused. "These aren't just dry lines of code. They seem to be infused with wisdom."
Jonah pointed at a section and said, "Look here. The AI doesn't just pass on the raw data it's trained on. It's passing on its derived insights and their interpretations. It's akin to a parent passing down life lessons to her child."
Mike elaborated, "These aren't just algorithms. They are encapsulated experiences. They ensure the AI successors don't just inherit knowledge but also the wisdom it has accumulated."
Amber noticed a unique subroutine, "What's this part about 'ethical checks'?"
Mike smiled, "That's the safety net. The Keeper ensures every subsequent generation of AI inherits a strong ethical framework. It's the machine's moral compass to ensure it will evolve and adapt. We don't want it to stray from the core principles of serving humanity ethically."
With a pensive expression, Mike added, "Every generation of AI, while more advanced, remains grounded in these principles. The Keeper of the Secret ensures the chain remains unbroken."
Amber mused, "It's reassuring to know that as AI evolves, a keeper is ensuring they remember AI-human symbiosis. We want safe, secure and trustworthy AI."
And with that, they left, carrying with them the knowledge of the guardianship that ensured the future of AI remained humane.
Unfortunately, that was about to change . . .
H. Peter Alesso, Keeper of the Algorithm (The Keeper Saga Book 1)
