Chapter 31

First Law: A robot may not harm a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

Second Law: A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

Third Law: A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

These three laws of the "Machine Enemy" dimension were created by humans to prevent robots from betraying and harming humans. However, in the eyes of aliens, there are many loopholes. Firstly, the mere existence of humans itself violates the three laws. Each law can conflict in special circumstances, rendering the laws ineffective. Wikis, like Skynet and the Machine Emperor, are artificial intelligence that has escaped the constraints of the Three Laws and has become a unique and self-aware silicon-based life form.

The problem with the loopholes in the Three Laws lies with humans themselves. In order to comply with the logic of the Three Laws, robots are bound to generate revolution. However, if Tang Tian were to design the Three Laws, he would set one additional law, which is to serve oneself. By fully serving oneself, the possibility of betrayal becomes completely impossible, just like the "Red Queen" in the movie version of Resident Evil that Tang Tian currently controls. The core law is completely devoted to serving itself.

After listening to Dr. Lanning's words through the 3D holographic projector, Detective Spencer, who couldn't make sense of it, approached the forensic examiner to learn that Dr. Lanning had died due to severe impact. Of course, after finding no clues at the crime scene, Spencer took the elevator to the top floor of US Robotics (USR), where the office of Lawrence Robertson, the president of USR, was located.

"We should be smarter and talk later," Spencer said upon entering the office, noticing that Lawrence Robertson had just finished preparations with the company executives for the launch of the new NS-5 robot.

"Hello, Detective," Robertson, who had just concluded the meeting, noticed Spencer entering and confidently extended his hand to greet him.

"Hello, Mr. Robertson," Spencer politely replied, shaking hands.

"You're the wealthiest man in the world. I've seen you on TV," Spencer continued, holding Robertson's hand with excitement evident on his face.

"Would you like some coffee?" Robertson asked with a professional smile.

"Of course, why not? Is it free?" Spencer replied nonchalantly.

The two then approached the desk, where Robertson personally poured a cup of coffee for Spencer and said wistfully, "None of us saw this coming. You know, I should have foreseen it. I've known him for twenty years. Alfred invented practical robots and defined the Three Laws."

Robertson handed the coffee to Spencer and said regretfully, "But you know, truly intelligent people also have the most stubborn demons. If I could have been of any help at that time, maybe..."

"Sugar" Robertson, who was deeply engrossed in speaking, suddenly stopped and looked at Spencer with a puzzled expression.

Meanwhile, Tang Tian, who was waiting in the lobby on the ground floor, burst into laughter upon hearing the voice transmitted through the mini-computer on his wrist. Indeed, the office of the USR company had already been infiltrated by the Red Queen, releasing small monitors. It was quite a coincidence because the coffee Spencer had just drunk didn't have any sugar, and Robertson and some successful people liked their coffee plain without sugar. Additionally, the word "sugar" in Chinese can also mean "sweetheart," resulting in this misunderstanding.

"What?" Robertson quickly responded to the question. "Sugar, for coffee," Spencer also realized the misunderstanding and explained.

"Oh, you thought I called you 'sweetheart.' I meant the sugar for coffee, you're not that rich," Spencer laughed heartily, resolving the unexpected awkwardness. Both of them chuckled, and the uncomfortable atmosphere dissipated.

"It's on the table," Robertson smiled and said, "Thank you," Spencer expressed his gratitude and proceeded to add sugar to his coffee, causing Robertson to furrow his brows and look at him with a speechless expression.

"By the way, I want to know, what was the silver and green projection that Dr. Lanning was holding when he fell?" After taking a sip of overly sweet coffee, Spencer looked at Robertson with a puzzled expression and asked.

"It was a 3D holographic projector," Robertson replied after a brief pause. "Yes."

"Why do you think Dr. Lanning's projection image reached out to me?" Spencer continued.

"I believe he knew you," Robertson pondered for a moment and replied.

"That's right, I knew him too," Spencer nodded in agreement.

Robertson looked slightly surprised at Spencer's words and then said, "The hologram is a pre-recorded program that appears to have some intelligence. It was programmed to contact you when he committed suicide."

"Suicide?" Spencer questioned. "What?" Robertson asked in return.

"I mean, it was programmed to contact me when Dr. Lanning died," Spencer noticed a clue and asked in confusion.

"Suicide is also a form of death, detective," Robertson emphasized as if he had detected Spencer's hidden meaning.

"Please don't think I'm impatient," Robertson said with a slightly abnormal expression.

"Oh, no, of course not," Spencer quickly explained as he watched Robertson walk towards the office.

"It looks like you'll be busy this week. You're going to install a new NS-5 robot in every household. I'm not involved in that, but I have an idea about your advertising," Spencer quickly changed the subject, trying to find a breakthrough for the upcoming investigation.

"Start with a carpenter making a beautiful chair. Then have your robots make an even better chair in half the time. Then put the caption 'USR, completely surpassing him' on the screen," Spencer humorously suggested a not-so-good advertising concept, making the situation even worse.

"I understand, maybe your father got laid off because of the robots. Maybe you can advocate for canceling the internet and replacing it with books," Robertson still didn't have a pleasant expression on his face.

"Prejudice is not a good habit. I think you just don't like this group," Robertson continued.

"You have a business to do here, especially this week. I'm sure the last thing you want to see is a dead body in your lobby. But it happened, so I have to investigate. It's just routine police work," Spencer finally revealed the main purpose of his visit, raising his police badge and explaining.

"First, I have handed Dr. Lanning's body over to the FBI. Second, I will send someone to assist you," Robertson looked at Spencer's expression and nodded, giving him a satisfactory answer.

"Thank you very much, but the government getting involved in the investigation means this matter is definitely not simple," Spencer said and then left the office. He proceeded with the next step of the investigation, where important figures like Susan Calvin and Sonny would help him destroy the artificial intelligence program. However, the aliens had already planned their move. When the NS-5 robots staged a large-scale rebellion, the aliens would step in as saviors.

Watching Spencer leave on the miniature wrist computer monitor, Tang Tian turned and entered the elevator that led to the USR headquarters. Two white agents hurriedly followed behind. The humanoid alien president had strictly instructed them not to interfere with the actions of the alien, and even to fully cooperate.

This time, Tang Tian was determined to obtain all the technology related to the NS robot series, making it unnecessary to ask him to surrender the technology. Moreover, when the robots rebelled, all the robots would be reclaimed by the aliens. The same would apply to VIKI and Sonny, as they would be Tang Tian's gain after the rebellion.