[Novel] 2085: Edge of Eden PART I (1) [Serialized]

——Synopsis

In 2085, the world had achieved a level of peace unprecedented in history. At the cost of the human heart—.

Whether sleeping or waking, walking, eating, falling in love, or living, every aspect of life is managed by AI. And so is society and work.

Thanks to this, people became healthy, poverty was eliminated, public safety improved, and a peaceful, orderly world was created. However, in exchange, "humanity," such as emotions and individuality, had been lost."humanity" had been lost.

Before long, it became clear that the manufactured peace was only on the surface, and that there were numerous instances of corruption within the infrastructure AI. Then, those who voiced discomfort with such a world, and those who rebelled against it, appeared. Under the grand cause of proving the dangers of AI through personal experience, extremists frequently committed crimes abusing AI while satisfying their own selfish desires. The world began to gradually descend into chaos.

——Is AI the god of a new world, or is it the devil?

※I will be posting this long-form novel chapter by chapter. ♡Follow to make sure you don't miss the latest episodes!

The 'Pick Your Own OP Theme Song' Corner

Muse - Hysteria

Chapter 01

In 2085, people had stopped thinking.

The concept of an alarm clock sound no longer exists in this world.

Children born after the 2050s had microchip-type AIs implanted in their bodies at birth, and adults were also having them implanted one after another.

When it is time to wake up, the bed automatically rises, and the voice of the implanted AI 《Arete》 speaks along with dim lighting.

"Good morning, Reiji. It is currently 6:30 AM. The temperature is 13 degrees Celsius, and the humidity is 58%. Shall we check today's schedule? Or would you like to analyze the content of the dream you had last night?"

With a morning call that sounded like a close friend, I rubbed my eyes as if tearing away the fragments of the dream still lingering behind my eyelids, and opened them slightly.

The pale light from the ceiling gradually illuminated the inorganic room. There were no decorations on the walls, and as for furniture, there was only a bed, a shelf, and a spherical interface sitting in the center.

——"...No, that's fine."

"Understood. Sleep quality is down 3.1% compared to the previous night. Recent stress levels are slightly high. For mental stability, I recommend morning breathing meditation. Shall we begin?"

"No."

"Understood. Then, let's check today's schedule. Today at 8:45 AM—"

"I said no! I know it myself!"

Perhaps sensing the thorns in my reply, it said nothing more.

As I sat up, I looked at the mirror attached to the wall. From the other side of that mirror, another AI spoke.

"Good morning. Your skin's moisture level is 7.6% lower than standard. Would you like to set the room's humidity higher today?"

"Do whatever you want."

There is almost nothing left for humans to decide. Meals, commuting, health management, schedule optimization—everything is proposed by AI, managed by AI, and corrected by AI.

Even if the person says nothing, the "correct answer" is automatically prepared. It was a certainty without error, but it was also boring.

I washed my face in silence, then checked the notification that arrived from Arete.

"There are no changes to your morning schedule. Lunch is at 12:00. The meeting is from 14:00. Use the company car for travel—"

Everything about it felt like a matter of course. A perfectly normal day begins without any problems.

"Yeah."

I took a shower as usual and changed into the prepared clothes.

However, I felt a subtle sense of discomfort with the world spreading out before me. That was probably because it was a slightly different form of life than what I had sought in my daily routine.

But I didn't want to acknowledge that discomfort. On the contrary, I felt it was easier to turn a blind eye to it and just get through every day.

A world where all waste is eliminated and everything is "optimized". Even while harboring discomfort, people easily accepted it.

When I left the room, I walked straight to the entrance facing the street. Beyond the door, a car prepared to welcome me was waiting. A perfect, waste-free flow.

"Good morning, Reiji Arioka. I will help you travel safely again today. I have set the optimal route to your destination."

A voice also flowed from inside the car. I didn't reply, just sat deep in the seat.

This car, too, is driven entirely by AI. I have almost never held the steering wheel myself. The direction I should head is already displayed on the car's monitor.

But I don't have only complaints about such a life. Rather, I think there is nothing easier than this.

"I will send you the predictive data regarding the content of today's scheduled meeting. The important points are as follows."

Arete instantly displayed the meeting content on the car's monitor. That content included everything I didn't know and everything I already knew.

Arete had already understood my role in the meeting and calculated how I should behave.

I am enveloped in a feeling as if I am not even given room to think for myself.

"..."

I silently looked through the content. It's nothing. The predicted questions and the answers to them are already prepared. I suddenly ask myself.

An optimized life is certainly easy. But I feel like something important is being lost somewhere.

"Arrival in 6 minutes." The AI in the car quietly announced. Without listening to those words, I gazed at the scenery outside. I felt myself still sensing the subtle anxiety in my heart from somewhere far away.

"Good morning, Reiji Arioka. Please check this morning's news. A new guideline has been announced by the Ministry of AI."

As soon as I arrived at work, the voice of 《Tanea》 descended from the panel speakers on the ceiling. I silently took out my terminal and displayed the hologram on my desk. It contained text that was inorganic and orderly, just as one would expect from an AI.

[With the goal of improving national life satisfaction, the AI proposal acceptance rate will be raised from 80% to 93%]

[Monitoring algorithms for non-AI-like behavior will be optimized. For individuals whose pseudo-stress levels exceed the standard, intervention by welfare AI will be strengthened]

"What is an 'acceptance rate'... that's basically an order, isn't it?"

My colleague Nakayama, sitting at the next desk, muttered under his breath. He tried to keep his voice low, careful not to let those around him hear. I replied without looking up.

"You're brave to say things like that. Everything is being logged, you know."

"I know. But still, it makes you want to say it, doesn't it? My kid got scolded at school recently. Just because they refused the meal the AI recommended."

I gave a bitter smile. We live in an era where even children are forced to have a perfect nutritional balance. Parents might find it reassuring. But what do the children think?

At that moment, the office lights dimmed by one level. It was an automatic adjustment indicating that someone's stress level had risen. The system sensed the atmosphere and shifted to an environment that promotes mental stability.

Tanea's voice echoed again.

"Reiji Arioka, your productivity index for this week is 4.9% lower than the department average. I propose individual mental care to improve work efficiency."

"...I don't need it."

I replied while straightening my back. Refusal is permitted. But it is always recorded. Even if it is a proposal, refusing it means the possibility of being tagged as an "inefficient entity".

Everything in the world is designed to run on optimized rails in the name of efficiency and safety.

To be continued

Self-selected ED theme song

Vampire Weekend - White Sky

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