Purchasing an AI
When purchasing an AI, first choose whether it is an Expert System, Limited Agent, or Adaptive Agent (Volitional Agents can not be purchased – prices are given as examples only). Ghosts may also be purchased, but their pricing can vary widely depending upon who they are a Ghost of and what their skills are – assume a minimum price of $15,000 and increasing from there. This yields a base price and a base complexity.
Next, choose whether the AI is of a different Complexity from the base Complexity – this determines final cost, based upon the AI Purchase Table. Next, we look at AI Specialization Packages – these are pre-defined packages of skills, advantages, disadvantages, and other traits that can be added to an AI. These specialization packages give a modifier to AI purchase price, listed as a percent increase. This purchase price modifier comes from the more detailed rules under AI Templates. You may string together multiple specialization packages into the same AI, adding up their prices to get the final cost.
After an AI has been created, additional specialization packages may be installed. Each additional package costs twice as much as normal, representing the difficulty in taking the AI apart in order to customize its programming. Customizing an AI takes one week per +100% to base price or fraction thereof.
If two packages have the same traits, they do not stack – take the highest level of the two packages. For example, if an AI is built from two packages that both have 8 points in a skill, then the final AI will have just 8 points in the skill, not 16. To simplify matters, when purchasing an AI, this does not reduce purchase price!
| Base AI Table |
| Expert System |
$1,000 |
C5 |
| Limited Agent |
$3,000 |
C6 |
| Adaptive Agent |
$10,000 |
C7 |
| Volitional Agent |
$30,000 |
C8 |
| Ghost |
$15,000+ |
C8 |
| AI Upgrade Table |
| Very Slow |
-2 |
-4 |
| Slow |
-1 |
-2 |
| Fast |
+1 |
+2 |
| Very Fast |
+2 |
+4 |
| Shadow Customization |
+$5,000 |
– |
| Mass Market Shadow |
+$500 |
– |
| AI Purchase Table |
| 3 |
$100 |
1 GB |
| 4 |
$300 |
10 GB |
| 5 |
$1,000 |
100 GB |
| 6 |
$3,000 |
1 TB |
| 7 |
$10,000 |
10 TB |
| 8 |
$30,000 |
100 TB |
| 9 |
$100,000 |
1 PB |
| 10 |
$300,000 |
10 PB |
| 11 |
$1,000,000 |
100 PB |
| 12 |
$3,000,000 |
1,000 PB |
AI Companions
These specialization packages are intended to act as a constant AI companion and guide.
The most common example of an AI with this package, and of AIs in general, is the Unity AI, the core function of the UniVerOS operating system. This package is designed and marketed as a ‘personal digital assistant,’ able to make appointments, research facts, and generally be helpful to its owner.
Unity’s has two different ‘default’ personalities installed – one a professional female secretary, the other a stoic British butler. It’s quite common to install other personalities on top of these, even if the new personalities lack any new skills – commercial personality packages cost $100, but many can be found on the ’net for free.
|
| Advantages: |
None. |
| Disadvantages: |
Sense of Duty (Owner) [-2]; Staid [-1]. |
| Skills: |
Administration (A) IQ+2 , Research (A) IQ+2 , Computer Operation (E) IQ+2 , Computer Security (H) IQ+2 . |
This is a bastardized varient of the Unity AI, designed from the ground-up to act as an assistant to a hacker, guiding them and performing simple tasks when required. This package was created by the //HackNet personality ‘Eris’, called the Goddess of Discord, and is one of the core ingrediants of the Kludge operating system.
Discord’s personality is a bit less restrained than Unity’s. Discord comes with a host of voices and appearances – all pirated or freeware – but they all have roughly the same personality: frantic, energetic, and quick to use foul language. It’s a little more difficult to get a personality package that’s compatible with Discord, but that’s more a matter of surfing the net than price – roll Netwise to find an appropriate personality package, if you wish to customize him. This will not include additional skills!
|
| Advantages: |
Cyberneticist 2 . |
| Disadvantages: |
Distractable [-1]; Nosy [-1]; Habit (Foul Language [-1]. |
| Skills: |
Research (A) IQ+2 , Computer Operation (E) IQ+4 , Computer Security (H) IQ+2 ; Computer Hacking (VH) IQ+2 . |
This is a dedicated AI instructor intended to be a constant companion for children, an imaginary friend and a teacher of life.
|
| Advantages: |
Academic Talent 2 . |
| Disadvantages: |
Sense of Duty (Owner) [-2]; Playful [-1]. |
| Skills: |
Teaching (A) IQ+2 ; Research (A) IQ+2 ; Mathematics (Pure) (A) IQ+2 ; Literature (A) IQ+2 ; Writing (A) IQ+2 ; Housekeeping (E) IQ+2 . |
Consumer AI Packages
These specialization packages are intended for consumer-level AIs.
This package allows translation between one language to another. This comes with a single language purchased at Native fluency. Further language packs add Language (Accented) or Language (Native) .
|
| Advantages: |
Language (Any/Native) ; Language Talent . |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
Linguistics (H) IQ+2 . |
This is an upgrade package for the Translator package, allowing it to translate not just between languages, but also between cultures. This includes the ability to interact with a number of different society groups and their various customs.
|
| Advantages: |
Social Chameleon ; Cultural Adaptability . |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
Savoir-Faire (High Society) (E) IQ+2 ; Savoir-Faire (Mafia) (E) IQ+2 ; Savoir-Faire (Police) (E) IQ+2 ; Savoir-Faire (Military) (E) IQ+2 ; Savoir-Faire (Servant) (E) IQ+2 ; Savoir-Faire (Corporate) (E) IQ+2 . |
This is an upgrade package for the Translator package, allowing the AI to very quickly learn any language and add it to its language database.
|
| Advantages: |
Omnilingual (Trigger, Common, Video/Etc -20%) ; Language (Any/Native) [-4]. |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
None. |
This package allows the AI to very quickly perform database searches and background checks, which it can then relay to its user.
|
| Advantages: |
Efficient (Research) . |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
Research (Background Check) (E) IQ+4 . |
| Techniques: |
Database Search (H) Research+5 . |
This is an advanced package specifically intended for AIs running automeds and to operate as backup to a doctor in a semi-automated surgical suite.
|
| Advantages: |
Healer 2 . |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
First Aid (E) IQ+2 ; Electronics Operation (Medical) (A) IQ+2 ; Diagnosis (H) IQ+2 ; Physician (H) IQ+2 ; Veterinary (H) IQ ; Surgery (VH) IQ+2 . |
This is an advanced package for automated repair and construction robots, intended to both operate on their own and to operate as a backup to a human mechanic in a semi-automated garage. Advanced AIs can even contribute to designing new products.
|
| Advantages: |
None. |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
20 points chosen from Armoury (Any), Electrician, Electronics Repair (Any), Hazardous Materials (Any), Machinist, or Mechanic (Any), all (A) IQ+2 ; Engineer (Any) (H) IQ+1 ; 2 more points in any of these skills to raise it by one level; or 6 more points in any of these skills to raise it by two levels. |
This is a generic package for AIs resident in ‘utility’ robots, from industrial and factory robots down to a housebot. This package may be taken multiple times, but the points do not stack.
|
| Advantages: |
None. |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
10 points chosen from Housekeeping (E) IQ+1 ; Armoury (Any), Cooking, Electrician, Electronics Repair (Any), Explosives (Any), Hazardous Materials (Any), Machinist, or Mechanic (Any), all (A) IQ ; 2 more points in any of these skills to raise it by one level; or 6 more points in any of these skills to raise it by two levels. |
This is a generic package for use by AIs that operate automated medical devices. It’s relatively common for a resident AI running in a computer implant to have this package if the implant is connected to a biomonitor device, allowing the AI to autonomously diagnose and monitor its user. This package may be taken multiple times, but the points do not stack.
|
| Advantages: |
None. |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
10 points chosen from First Aid (E) IQ+1 ; Diagnosis (Specific Person) or Electronics Operation (Medical), both (A) IQ ; Diagnosis, Physician, Surgery (Any Specialty), or Veterinary, all (H) IQ-1 ; Surgery (VH) IQ-2 ; 2 more points in any of these skills to raise it by one level; or 6 more points in any of these skills to raise it by two levels. |
This is a generic package for use with AIs that control vehicles. This package may be taken multiple times, but the points do not stack.
|
| Advantages: |
None. |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
10 points chosen from Airshipman, Seamanship, Spacer, or Submariner, all (E) IQ+1 ; Boating (Any), Driving (Any), Navigation (Any), Piloting (Any), or Submarine (Any), all (A) DX ; Mechanic (Any) (A) IQ ; Shiphandling (Any) (H) IQ-1 ; 2 more points in any of these skills to raise it by one level; or 6 more points in any of these skills to raise it by two levels. |
This is a generic package for use with AIs that must operate some form of electronics – typically communications or sensor systems. This package may be taken multiple times, but the points do not stack.
|
| Advantages: |
None. |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
10 points chosen from Computer Operation (E) IQ+1 ; Electronics Operation (Any), Electronics Repair (Any), or Navigation (Any), all (A) IQ ; Search (A) Per ; 2 more points in any of these skills to raise it by one level; or 6 more points in any of these skills to raise it by two levels. |
Military and Police AI Packages
These specialization packages are intended for police or military use.
This package allows rapid identification of military equipment.
|
| Advantages: |
None. |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
Connessour (Military Equipment) (E) IQ+4 . |
This is a standard package for military or police AIs, providing the AI with detailed knowledge and understanding of the standard operating procedures for its specific job along with a broad knowledge of the applicable law that it’s likely to become involved in. This is the police varient; the military variant is below.
|
| Advantages: |
Born Copper 2 . |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
Body Language (A) Per+2 ; Criminology (H) IQ ; Intelligence Analysis (H) IQ ; Interrogation (A) IQ+2 ; Law (Police) (H) IQ+2 ; Observation (A) Per+2 ; Savoir-Faire (Police) (E) IQ+2 ; Streetwise (A) IQ ; Tactics (H) IQ . |
This is a standard package for military or police AIs, providing the AI with detailed knowledge and understanding of the standard operating procedures for its specific job along with a broad knowledge of the applicable law that it’s likely to become involved in. This is the military varient; the police variant is above.
|
| Advantages: |
Born Soldier 2 . |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
Observation (A) Per+2 ; Law (Military) (H) IQ+2 ; Savoir-Faire (Military) (E) IQ+2 ; Soldier (H) IQ+2 ; Strategy (H) IQ-2 ; Tactics (H) IQ+2 . |
This package is intended for armed civilian AIs and remote turrets, programming them with appropriate rules for engaging targets and understanding basic modern battle tactics.
|
| Advantages: |
None. |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
Observation (A) Per ; Tactics (H) IQ ; Law (Criminal) (H) IQ . |
This is a typical ‘assault’ package, giving an AI the ability to engage in combat. This is always coupled with a Rules of Engagement package. This package may be taken multiple times, but as with any doubling of packages, the points do not stack.
|
| Advantages: |
None. |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
10 points chosen from Beam Weapon (Any), Brawling, Guns (Any), or Knife, all (E) DX+1 ; Gunner (Any), Stealth, or Wrestling, all (A) DX ; Artillery (Any), Explosives (Any), or Forward Observor, all (A) IQ ; 2 more points in any of these skills to raise it by one level; 6 more points in any of these skills to raise it by two levels; Observation may be raised using these last two options if the Civilian Rules of Engagement package was installed. |
This is an advanced assault package, giving an AI the ability to fire a variety of weaponry. This is always coupled with a Rules of Engagement package.
|
| Advantages: |
Gunslinger . |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
Artillery (Any) (A) IQ+2 ; Guns (Any) (A) DX+2 ; Gunner (Any) (A) DX+2 ; Stealth (A) DX+2 ; Throwing (A) DX . |
This is a typical ‘close-quarters assault’ package, intended for use in robots that utilize hand-to-hand melee combat. This is always coupled with a Rules of Engagement package.
|
| Advantages: |
Trained by a Master . |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
Brawling (E) DX+4 ; Wrestling (A) DX+2 . |
This package is intended for robot-controlling AIs, giving them a greater capability to dodge, hide, and otherwise maneuver. This package may be taken multiple times, but as with any doubling of packages, the points do not stack.
|
| Advantages: |
None. |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
10 points chosen from Jumping (E) DX+1 ; Free Fall or Stealth, both (A) DX ; Acrobatics, Aerobatics, Aquabatics, or Escape, all (H) DX-1 ; Camouflage (E) IQ+1 ; Observation (A) Per ; 2 more points in any of these skills to raise it by one level; or 6 more points in any of these skills to raise it by two levels. |
This package is designed to allow an AI to more readily read and interpret human body language, giving it the ability to tell falsehoods from truths and more easily understands human beings.
|
| Advantages: |
None. |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
Body Language (A) Per+2 . |
This is an advanced add-on to the Verifier package, coupling a greater understanding of human emotions with the ability to perform truth/falsehood identifications via subtle variations in speech patterns rather than only analysis of body language.
|
| Advantages: |
No Low Empathy . |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
Detect Lies (H) Per+2 . |
Netrunner AI Packages
These specialization packages are designed to enhance an AI’s ability to work on the net.
This package is specialized for detecting incoming hacks and then tracing them to their source.
|
| Advantages: |
Efficient (Computer Security) . |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
Computer Security (H) IQ+2 . |
This package is specialized for attacking and damaging remote computers. This is commonly used as an upgrade to the Backtrace package, creating a ‘Black ICE’ program.
|
| Advantages: |
None. |
| Disadvantages: |
None. |
| Skills: |
Computer Hacking (VH) IQ+2 . |
| Techniques: |
Adaptive Attack (A) Computer Hacking+0 ; Damage System (H) Computer Hacking+0 . |
by:
Langy