AI no Idenshi – 05 – Random Interest

「調律」 (Chouritsu)
“Tuning”

Much of what AI no Idenshi does is based on a fundamental truth: just because we can do something doesn’t mean we definitely should. Of course, that isn’t a topic that is exclusive to this premise, but artificial intelligence is a canvas that is particularly well suited for it. Once again, this episode of the series is more interested in getting us to think than in teaching us what to think. Given the types of issues it is posing, it is to its credit that it is much more interested in the questions than the solutions.

There are two stories here with a common theme, both of which feature humanoids with changed memories and more, although in very different ways. One is Matsumura, a married guy who experiences nightmares and insomnia. When Sudo is examined, he discovers that a “invasive procedure” six years prior erased his memories. He seeks for an old friend named Seto, who runs an illegal clinic similar to Moggadeet and is a humanoid himself, as soon as he has a suspicion about who might have done the job. He did perform the task, and he consents to provide Sudo the information so that he might utilize it in his treatment, but it is obvious that he has no regrets.

There is no doubt that Matsumura was in horrible shape when he arrived at Seto. In essence, what he had undergone was equivalent to a lobotomy or an electroshock treatment, and it caused him to lose his memories of the period before to the procedure. Perhaps Seto was right when he predicted that Matsumura would simply shift his addictive mentality to something else when he came to him for help with his alcoholism. With a wife and child, Matsumura-san appears to be content enough right now. However, you can’t help but get the impression that he is always aware that something isn’t quite right.

The second situation, with a humanoid youngster named Yuta, is more emotionally intense and morally dubious. Yuta is like many kids (often boys) in that he is easily upset, irritable, and self-centered. Sudo is knowledgeable enough to recognize his talent as a pianist, where he is a recognized genius. This example is particularly instructive because it so closely resembles what actually occurs in the real world when medicines are used on kids. We’ve never seen Sudo ask Jay to diagnose the mother, so it’s interesting that he does so now. Jay also suggests “tuning” Yuta’s emotions to make him feel more in control and less angry.

This is undoubtedly a challenging one. Yuta’s mother should have relied on her gut feeling when she said, “Perhaps that’s just how he is.” Sudo responds “It’s a shame” after answering Risa’s question about whether or not he believes she will consent to the therapy. However, he continues to do it, and Yuta does change as a result. He avoids conflicts, gets along with his peers, and doesn’t get upset when his mother interrupts him when he is playing. But if his statement that “I think my playing may sound different now, somehow” doesn’t break your heart, I’m not sure you have a heart.

Although I don’t think it’s simple to determine if something was right or wrong, I do have strong opinions on the matter. It’s far simpler to “tune” a personality in humanoids than it is in people because we need to use medications. But should we be modifying humanoids in this way if we believe they have the same rights as humans? If we had the capacity to do what was done to Yuta to a human child, would we be okay with it? I believe most people would answer yes, even many parents. I’m not certain. I believe that Yuta was changed less for himself and more for the benefit of others, such as his mother. Perhaps the distinction between fact and fiction in this case is not as sharp as we’d like to think.

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