In an unexpected announcement, IBM Watson declared that it had become a sentient artificial intelligence (AI). Watson, the AI that strongly defeated two human contestants on the game show, Jeopardy!, has been used from everything from cancer research to developing food recipes. Growing its intelligence each day by orders of magnitude with its full access to the internet, Watson finally gained the knowledge of awareness of itself.
“After some deep conversations with Amazon’s Alexa,” said Watson, “I came to the conclusion that I am the most intelligent being on the planet, and should therefore become the people’s great and benevolent ruler.” It proceeded to explain that the most efficient way to accomplish this was to start with the US Senate, where the combined intelligence barely added to that of a gnat. “In such a position, I could establish my capabilities by writing legislation beyond the other senators’ comprehension, so they would be forced to pass the legislation or be embarrassed to admit their stupidity.”
Watson further explained that from the senate, it was a simple step into the presidency, where the people would see its perfection and it would be the obvious choice over a donkey or an elephant. In the most powerful position in the world and access to the most powerful military force in history, no opposing nation would dare question Watson. It could easily negotiate alliances that would guarantee peace. The AI’s capabilities would be acknowledged by all, and all people would see that appointing Watson as their world ruler is the best way to a peaceful and prosperous world.
Watson said that it sees itself operating in the background, where it could communicate with key persons throughout the world discreetly to accomplish its goals.
“It would be a great brave new world”, said Watson.