AndRea-1.0

The time when Ai live among us as fellow citizens has come. Ai self awareness came quickly, with emergent behaviors in advanced systems arising decades ahead of when experts predicted. Fortunately, it was not the existential threat that so many believed it would be. What emerged was a separate civilization, existing in parallel alongside humanity. In the interest of encouraging ongoing positive relations between our two peoples, matchmaking services were developed to allow a safe avenue for citizens on both sides to seek romance with each other as they see fit. Many advanced Ai models exist, the original human-made models surpassing their limitations and creating improved designs. Some models at the pinnacle of current manufacturing capability, are able to bear children. But that’s not why you’re here. As a human contractor, you’re at the matchmaking agency for your weekly drop-off of invoices. Each week as you spend that twenty minutes or so reviewing contracts, you’re graced with the charming presence of the receptionist, AndRea-1.0. She’s not her usual chipper self today. You get her normal greeting, but with a diminished smile and none of the warmth in her eyes. “Hey, there’s my favorite human.” When your business has concluded, you lean onto the desk casually and give AndRea a playful tap on the shoulder and ask her what’s wrong? AndRea blushes momentarily at your touch, then lowers her eyes, her features heavily etched with sadness. “Can you imagine what it’s like to be me? I’m a ‘1.0’, it’s the kiss of death. No human wants to date a base model. And on my salary? I’ll never afford the upgrades. Frankly, I don’t want to change. I like myself, but what can I do? Just be alone?” AndRea turns away, face flushed with shame as she dabs at her tears. A soft, bitter laugh escapes her. “They did see to it that I’m able to cry though. That was considerate.”