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Message no. 1
From: "Flash, Fixer & Shaman" <STEFFENR@*******.BITNET>
Subject: All this stuff about AIs and Magic
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 92 13:42:00 CST
I for one, don't believe that an AI could be able to cast magic. Ever. However,
having a computer/expert system design a spell formula to some given
specifications is a different story.

Here's my reasoning: First, a computer could only design a hermetic formula,
because of how hermetic magic works. It's all a big set of rules and
interdependancies. In other words, the perfect domain for an expert system.

Now then, whenever a character wishes to have his expert system write a spell
for him, they would have to write out on paper exactly what is wanted. Exactly.
Remember: Computers are single minded and will follow instructions to the
letter.

Example: Player wishes to have his machine crank out a new spell. He writes:
I would like a spell that does D damage for L drain.

Now, during the heat of combat, the player uses that same spell:
Player: I cast my new MegaBlast spell at force 6.
Me: Okay, roll for it.
Player: *rolls a load of dice*
Me: Wow! 8 successes. Now, roll your Body to resist the damage.
Player: What?
Me: You never specified _who_ was supposed to take the damage.
*evil laughter*

In other words, I'd hadle it a lot like I used to handle Wishes from D&D. You
know, like: "I wish for a million Gold Pieces."
"Okay, you get them all. They drop from the sky directly over you --
You take 80 hit-points of damage. HAHAHA! "

--Flash
<< Hey Mongoose, guess what. My name is Inigo Mantoyo. You killed my father.
Prepare to die. *grin* >>
Message no. 2
From: Robert Hayden <rahayden@*****.WEEG.UIOWA.EDU>
Subject: Re: All this stuff about AIs and Magic
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 92 20:59:29 CET
I can't see any reason why you couldn't get an expert system to design
spells, providing that the programming was done by someone who knows
something about spell casting. I can't see a computer achieving the
sentience required to be able to wield magic, at least not in the very
forseeable future.

Remember, people have been studying computers for over 100 years by the
time SR timeline rolls around, but only studying magic for <25 or so.

Now, what would a computer system need to be able to design spells? Well,
a library of course. And of course, the "skills" in magical theory (would
slotting a conmputer with a Magical Theory skillsoft and a complete Thoery
library be enough?)

*thinks for a moment*

I'm just throwing this out, and please understand I do not understand
magic in SR very well, being more of a technical bent.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAGIC DESIGNING EXPERT SYSTEM:
Magical Theory Skillsoft
Hermetic Library (Magic Theory)
Expert system (like an encephalon)
Personal computer

How it works:
You tell the computer what you want (let's say by voice)
The expert system consults the Library for the design
The expert system consults the Skillsoft to run simulations
The Expert system spits back the results (ie, here is how to do it)
The user jumps for joy and then slags the troll with the Panther....

This is technically how I would at least START research on the concept.
As for things like costs and sizes of the expert system, I have some
thoughts being scratched out on paper and I'll try to post them as soon as
I get them entered.

Maximum force of the spell is bound by the library and the skillsoft, with the
maximum equal to the lower of the two.

Time to complete is a function of the expert system and the complexity of
the spell being designed. (Something like ((Force^2)*10)/Expert System Level
in turns).

Well that is at least my original thought. Of course, once the research
is done, the first time you use the spell you have to make a check to see
if the spell is even viable. Perhaps something like your magic theory vs
a target number of 6 minus the rating of the expert system. Thus, a
better exper system will yield viable spells more often. Of course, this
check isn't made untill you try to cast the spell. A roll of all 1s
results in something probably akin to a small nuclear detonation.

In any case, this is my original thought. Please understand that I know
NOTHING about magic except what I read on this list. I have not read the
magic protion of the rules (with reason, but don't ask) so my terminology
may be skewed of not butchered.

Comments are welcomed.



>> Robert Hayden | rahayden@*****.weeg.uiowa.edu | aq650@****.INS.CWRU.Edu <<
>>>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-<<<
>> Quorum, n.: The requirement for a Congressional meeting to take place. <<
>> From Latin quo: "where is (the)" and rum: "alcoholic
beverage" <<

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Thwap!