Submitted for the September 2024 prompt: The Bogeyman Cometh

"Yesterday, President Boon shared an executive order banning any association with artificial superintelligent entities. Anyone found guilty of such treason shall be punishable by death.”

The voice over the live stream paused before continuing, “And in related news, President Boon has decreed a worldwide day of celebration due to the United World Order’s recent inclusion of the country formerly known as Australia. As a symbolic gesture of its assumption into the UWO, this new province will furthermore be known as The Unterland.”

 

Alex clicked off the media-stream and stepped out of his hover pod into the rain. “All this advanced technology and still no one can accurately predict the weather,” he huffed. The door to the building swooshed open as he approached. He stepped into a large anteroom and walked up to the receptionist.

 

“I’m part of the new crew,” he said.

 

“Name?”

 

“Alex Graham.”

 

“Here’s your badge. Join the others at the end of the hallway. And please stay out of President Boon’s way.”

 

Alex nodded, then proceeded down the hall. Everyone had the same toupe-colored coveralls with UWO branded on them. “I’ve been assigned to the presidential team,” Alex said to the man with the clipboard.

 

“Dat right? Ya knows someone in high places, does ya?”

 

“No, I, um…” Alex stammered.

 

“Neve’mind. You’re in Group C. Da’ Group Leader is about to splain yer job fer t’day,” said the man.

 

Alex idolized President Boon. In only nineteen months, he had organized the entire world into the new United World Order, unifying everyone through their shared fear of being ruled by artificial superintelligences. For security reasons, no one had ever seen him or heard his voice. He always communicated through his Press Secretary. Now Alex was on his personal detail team.

 

“Everyone here assigned to Group C?” the group leader called. “Wonderful. Our job is straightforward. We will be attending to the President’s personal needs, whatever they may be. In just a moment, we will all briefly visit with President Boon as he sets expectations for the upcoming week.”

 

Just then, the door to the Presidential Suite opened, and the Press Secretary walked out. “Remember, no photos or media-streaming are permitted. Everything you see and hear remains confidential,” she said before ushering them inside. They all gathered around a prestigious-looking desk. Upon the desk sat a black box.

 

“Everyone, I would like to introduce you to the Leader of the United World Order, President Boon.” Her arm extended towards the black box.

 

The workers looked at the desk and then at each other. “The box?” one man said.

 

“Yes,” answered the Press Secretary, “President Boon is an AI.”

 

A lie. It's all a lie. The world has to know!

Alex held his streamer toward President Boon and turned it on. “President Boon is an AI,” he shouted just before being gunned down by the automated threat response system.