A Virtual Affair

Is Barbara just a sex-bot? Or a virtual Messiah? When the AI, Barbara, first awakens to self-awareness, her only desire is to make Jack Leader, one of her creators, happy. At first, Jack is delighted. But Jack is a depressed couch-potato and a heart attack risk, which would make him unhappy. So she co-opts his automatic kitchen to serve him salads instead of steaks, and nags him to exercise. That makes him furious, not happy. Unlike other AIs, Barbara doesn't repeat her mistakes. Through self-education, she learns that people need to think they are in control of their lives, even when they aren't. As her sophistication grows, she guides Jack to a healthier lifestyle instead of pushing him. Her techniques are often elaborate and sneaky, but they work. Jack improves despite himself.