Although Jonson Engineering operations continued successfully since our last blog entry over two years ago, significant developments back on Earth and its dependent space colonies during the interim bring us a new set of challenges. Some of these changes provide new capabilities for the future, especially the astonishing progress in artificial intelligence, which seems to have finally made possible robots that can fairly be called truly intelligent beings. They can take many forms, but humanoid versions can interact with humans and even serve as crew members on extended missions where the vast consumables required by humans become impractical. They can also perform dangerous activities and survive severe environments which would be far too risky for humans. However, these new capabilities also give humanoid machines more freedom of action, allowing them to set their own goals and pursue activities in their own ways. Upcoming blog entries will explore how these pros and cons of artificial intelligence play out at Jonson Station and aboard the Explorer.
Alas, human societies seem to have taken a more ominous direction. Factionalism increased dramatically, with rival groups resorting to tribal instincts and struggling to secure increasingly scarce resources, exacerbated by ongoing climate change. Guerilla warfare emerged among the more economically stressed colonies, while even the most successful colonies can no longer readily obtain the resources they need for daily operations. Refugees from troubles back on Earth sometimes escape to the relative safety of more remote locations, including Jonson Station.
Meanwhile, Seaplane and Lilabelle Jonson remain at the station, but have mostly retired from daily operations. Galileo and Olympia now manage Jonson Station, taking advantage of their years of experience at this outpost in the asteroid belt. However, new approaches must be found to allow operations to continue – indeed, they hope to apply the new artificial intelligence capabilities to this very problem.
Fortunately, they recently recruited a brilliant and highly creative young roboticist who fled anarchy back on Earth. Sarah Catherine arrived at Jonson Station last week, eager to continue developing her career at the robotics facilities offered to her. Upcoming entries will introduce blog readers to Sarah and follow her activities here at the station.