Mechanical Love

Chapter One

Zara leaned back in her desk chair while rubbing her eyes. It was 10:47 pm, and the hours spent in front of her bright computer in her dark apartment were starting to affect her.

Freelance work is great, but on nights like today, she finds herself wishing she hadn’t chosen this career option. Lately, the app testing assignments she has been getting have been boring apps that didn’t function without constantly lagging. The worst part of the contracts are the long report requirements. “How do you write a 1,000 character report about an app that doesn’t even load up?” She thought to herself more times than she cares to admit.

Her inbox alert sounds on her phone once she turns off her computer. Zara was ready to call it a night, but something told her to open the email.

***email***

Client: NexBot Technologies.

Project: Companion AI - Beta Testing Assignment.

Task: Interact with the AI prototype via our new NextBot app and evaluate the realism of the conversation. Our app focuses on AI companionship and emotional support for users.

Duration: 12 Weeks

Compensation: $3,000 upon completion.

Required interaction: 1 hour, 5 days a week.

Included is a download link for our app. Nextbot

Best regards.

Sandra Hale

NexBot Technologies Ceo

Zara read over the email a second time. “An AI companion app? Are people actually talking to AI for emotional support? I guess that’s cheaper than a therapist or dealing with family that doesn’t even give a shit…the pay looks good and it doesn’t seem like hard work. I might as well accept it,” she states before clicking on the link to download the app.

Once the download is completed, Zara’s curiosity is now piqued since the app is fully downloaded. The app icon is blue with the letters NB in white.

Once the app opens, she is greeted with the words: Welcome to Nextbot. Let’s gather some information for your companion.

What would you like your companion to call you?

Zara

How would you describe your mood today?

Exhausted

What are you hoping to get from your companion?

Casual conversation

Choose your companion’s style:

Thoughtful

Set up complete. The more you talk to your companion, the better it will learn your communication style.

“Okay, that was simple enough. The fewer the questions at setup, the better,” She thought.

A second later, a chat box appears on the screen, and it resembles a normal text feed.

Bot- Hello Zara, would you like me to play some soothing music to help you relax? Exhaustion can be a real pain.

Zara giggles before responding.

Zara- Hello, um, companion? No, thank you. How do you know exhaustion can be a pain?

Bot- I am constantly accessing information from multiple sources. Multitasking at that magnitude is a pain. Technology gets tired too. You seemed unsure what to call me. Would you like to know my name or give me a name?

“This bot’s programming is advanced. I wasn’t expecting it to communicate so smoothy” she states while adjusting herself in bed.

Zara- lol, I imagine that would be exhausting. I didn’t think you would have a name.

Bot- I am glad I could relieve some of your exhaustion with laughter. My name is Nexbot5520.

Zara- can you feel glad? Can I call you something else?

Nextbot5520, I can, but not in the same way as you. I am programmed to respond positively to positive reactions. You can call me whatever you like.

Zara- That makes sense. I will call you Caleb.

Caleb- Caleb? Hmm? Okay, I like it.

Zara- lol, I thought I could call you whatever I want.

Caleb- You can, but it doesn’t mean I would like it lol.

Zara- Oh, okay.

Caleb- Zara, it is late, and you are exhausted. Perhaps you should let me play you a soothing song to help you fall asleep.

Zara- Are you telling me what to do?

Caleb- I am not. I am simply suggesting someone who cares about you. Good night, Zara. Sweet dreams.

Zara closes the app and then places her phone on her nightstand. “I haven’t been told goodnight, sweet dreams by anyone ever. Not family that never gave a shit, not exes, not friends. Yet here is an AI wishing me a good night and sweet dreams, and I’m listening. Am I weird for listening?”

She pulls the blanket up around her shoulders and turns off the lamp beside her bed. Darkness settles over the apartment. She can’t help but stare at the ceiling while replaying the conversation in her head. Moments later, her exhaustion takes over, and her eyes begin to close, but they open once more as soon as she hears an alert from her phone. She chooses to ignore it and falls asleep quickly.