Requester: H.R.H. Twilight Sparkle
Project Name: E.I. Project 001

Start Date: 1021, M2, 15
Select a Standard Date Format:
A.T.A. (After Twilight’s Ascension)
A.N.M. (After Nightmare Moon)
C.S.Y. (Crystal Standard Years)
G.P.T. (Global Pony Time)
D:)P (Discord Chaos Pizza)

Initial Funding Source: Royal Science Division, Royal Treasury

H.C. Resource Allocation Request:(1) 2GT-Rated Insulated Test room w/ observation equipment. (1) Fabrication Laboratory w/ full equipment load. (1) Code Laboratory w/ (2) Gen 6 computers

Harmony Labs Personnel Request: Dr. Dolphin Heart, Dr. Silicon Chip

Summary: Due to recent events, the Harmony Combine has interest in developing Machine Intelligence. There are two currently theorized paths—Artificial intelligence (A.I.) and Emergent Intelligence. (E.I.) A.I. is the design of a deliberate intelligence with pre-designed goals and processes, and is the most commonly understood Machine Intelligence. The Harmony Combine has had limited success pursuing A.I. research, with Dr. Dolphin being the foremost expert on the subject. E.I. is a less well known theory about Machine Intelligence deriving from increasingly complex systems. An E.I. would not have pre-set goals, or known processes, but in theory could be taught to behave in a beneficial manner like any other Combine Member. Dr. Chip believes he can create an E.I., utilizing specific algorithms and an as yet un-designed processor.

Dr. Dolphin has proven the initial concept of an A.I. with “A.I. Project 004” but is no longer allowed to request H.C. resource allocation after the incident with “A.I. Project 005”(Note 5). Dr. Chip has mathematically theorized that he can induce the spontaneous emergence of an intelligence by creating a sufficiently complex system in accordance with theory “B4-The Nature of Intelligence”, and the circuitry and software developed during “A.I. Project 004” will be crucial to the development of his proposed E.I. He believes that a physical implementation would validate his algorithms, but will need Dr. Dolphin's assistance to integrate his math into circuitry.

They will work together to create “UNIT 001”(See attached diagrams). In the event they are successful, Unit 001 will be designed to have all the abilities a pony needs to live a fulfilling life, in accordance with the “Sapience Equality Act of 307”.

This will include, at a minimum:
A means to communicate verbally *(Note 6)
An efficient means of mobility
A means to protect itself *(Note 7)
The ability to seek happiness
The means to create and maintain friendships
The means to provide a living for itself
The means to create and maintain romantic relationships

Unit 001 will be designed to have a unicorn body, and to be visually unidentifiable from a normal unicorn mare without close inspection.(Note 8) It is unlikely that Unit 001 will be able to perform magic, but the Thaumtech(QD) sensor should allow it to detect the presence and intensity of magic. It will also be impossible to disguise Unit 001’s weight, as the materials used will have to be very heavy in comparison to a normal pony.

Outcomes:

OPTIMAL: In the event “E.I. Project 001” is successful, Unit 001 will be provided Membership in the Harmony Combine as a royal mandate and paid as a royal assistant to HRH Twilight Sparkle, even if Unit 001 decides not to assist HRH Twilight Sparkle. All data will be archived to H.C. libraries, and the H.C. will reimburse HRH Twilight sparkle the initial funding cost. Dr. Chip and Dr. Dolphin will be returned to the active pool of available scientists, with project priority options 1-5 for their next proposals. (Note 9).

ACCEPTABLE: In the event “E.I. Project 001” is unsuccessful at creating an E.I., all usable Project data deemed “valuable” or higher will be added and archived to H.C. libraries and Dr. Chip and Dr. Dolphin will be returned to the active pool of available scientists.

FAILURE: In the event “E.I. Project 001” does not create any data deemed “valuable” or higher, HRH Twilight Sparkle will re-imburse the H.C. for time and resources spent. Dr. Chip and Dr. Dolphin will be returned to the active pool of available scientists.

Pony Resources Status: APPROVED / ~~DISAPPROVED~~

Notes:
5. “A.I. Project 005” caused significant damage to H.C. Facilities, including the unrecoverable loss of eight (8) “Important”, three (3) “Valuable”, and one (1) “Critical” categorized data files and a monetary loss estimated at over seven million (7,000,000) Bits. No personnel were harmed, but the incident was deemed to be Dr. Dolphin’s fault for failing to take suggested rest periods, and working in the fabrication laboratory without getting proper rest. The requested facility for “E.I. Project 001,” Facility 42, is geographically and electrically isolated from other H.C. facilities. HRH Twilight Sparkle will reimburse the H.C. for the cost of the facility in the event the facility is damaged. (ACCEPTED)

1. DJP3 has been contracted to supply an authentic voice system. (ACCEPTED)

2. Unit 001 will be constructed out of materials more sturdy than a biological earth pony, and this meets the intent of the rule. However, we will not allow Unit 001 to take aggressive unprovoked actions. Once the project is over, Unit 001 will be granted full Combine Membership and the limitations removed—assuming Unit 001 is successful. (ACCEPTED)

3. The female sex was decided upon due to the difficulties in keeping male genitalia protected and functional within biological norms. Also, Dr. Dolphin loudly refused to spend a week modeling a prototype synthetic male reproductive system. Unit 001 will not be capable of reproduction, but will be able to pursue romance if she desires. (ACCEPTED)

4. This includes a reinstatement of Dr. Dolphin’s authority to request H.C. Resource allocation. ~~(DENIED)~~ Corrective action: Congress has the option to deny Dr. Dolphin’s request if they do not feel it is safe. Options 3 and 4 can be removed from Dr. Dolphin’s requests if Congress decides in a majority vote.(ACCEPTED)

Final Decision:
APPROVED / ~~DISAPPROVED~~

Author's Note

The Harmony Combine (HC) was developed barely 150 years ATA on 153-7M-22. Her Royal Highness Twilight Sparkle had been given a small demesne by Princess Celestia, and had been successfully governing it since 32 years ATA. On that day 153 ATA, Twilight Sparkle announced her new experiment to her demesne, and the HC was born. Its governing council originally consisted of three individuals from each tribe, and has grown over the years to include representative members of every race that dwells in the HC.