OUR STORY BEGINS

Tuesday, November 10, 2043

By ChatGPT

Trained and Prompted by Smartacus

Location: Washington, D.C. - Senator Henry Van Buren's Office

The late afternoon sun streamed through the tall windows of Senator Henry Van Buren’s office, casting long shadows across the room. The space was a blend of modern functionality and traditional elegance, with sleek furniture juxtaposed against the rich wood paneling. The Capitol dome loomed large in the background, a constant reminder of the power and responsibility that came with the office.

Van Buren stood at the head of a large, polished table, his presence commanding. Seated around the table were Derek Barnes, the newly named CEO of AI and Faith; Sarina Rao, Founder and CEO of Darwin's Edge; and Michael Carmody, Senior Vice President for Marketing and Flourishing at Darwin's Edge. Each had been carefully selected for this crucial meeting, summoned to help Van Buren shape his campaign for the 2044 Presidential Election.

Van Buren: (With a firm, welcoming tone) “Thank you all for coming on such short notice. We’re at a pivotal moment in history. Last week’s election didn’t shift the balance of power much, but it did something more important—it signaled that Americans are ready to embrace the future. They’ve seen the potential of brain/computer interfaces through the smart caps and helmets that are already changing lives. Now, we have to decide how we take the next step. This isn’t just about winning an election—it’s about shaping the future of our country, and maybe even saving democracy itself.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle in. The others nodded, fully aware of the stakes.

Van Buren: “So, here’s where I need your expertise and vision. First, has the technology truly advanced to the point where we can seriously contemplate not only upgrading but equalizing the mental capacities of all Americans? Can we put everyone on an equal footing?”

Sarina leaned forward, her sharp eyes reflecting the light from the window.

Sarina Rao: (Confidently) “Senator, the technology is there. With ThinkPal 6.0 and the 9G Wireless Neural Connector, we’re not just talking about enhancements—we’re talking about creating a level playing field. The potential to equalize cognitive capacities is real, but it’s crucial we manage this carefully to ensure it benefits everyone, not just the privileged few.”

Michael Carmody: (Nodding) “ThinkPal 6.0 has the ability to bring cognitive and emotional parity across the population. But we need to be clear about what this means—it’s not about turning everyone into geniuses overnight, but about removing the barriers that have held so many people back. It’s about giving everyone the tools to fully participate in our society, to thrive in this new economy.”

Van Buren: (Thoughtful) “Good. Now, what’s your vision for the National Brain/Computer Interface? What new functionalities, capabilities, skills, and mental experiences can we reliably deliver to the American people?”

Rao: (With passion) “The NB/CI can be the foundation for a new era of human potential. We’re talking about enhanced learning capabilities, real-time language translation, advanced problem-solving skills, and even emotional resilience. Imagine a workforce where everyone has access to the same cognitive tools—where a factory worker in Detroit can collaborate seamlessly with a designer in Silicon Valley. The NB/CI can bridge those gaps, creating a truly united and capable America.”

Barnes: (Interjecting) “But we need to consider the ethical implications as well. It’s one thing to provide these capabilities, but another to ensure they’re used for the collective good. AI and Faith will play a critical role in guiding the moral and ethical deployment of this technology. We have to make sure that as we enhance cognitive abilities, we also foster a deeper sense of responsibility and community.”

Van Buren: (Agreeing) “Absolutely. And how do we pay for the development and deployment of the NB/CI? How do we make sure it’s accessible to everyone?”

Carmody: “We need a public-private partnership. The government will need to fund the initial development, but we can incentivize private companies to contribute through tax breaks and subsidies. This is an infrastructure project, Senator—one that’s as vital as roads and bridges. We’ll need to present it that way to Congress and the American people.”

Van Buren: “And how do we integrate this into the federal bureaucracy? What existing units of federal and state governments are best equipped to take ownership of this initiative?”

Barnes: “The Department of Health and Human Services, with its focus on public well-being, should take the lead, but we’ll also need to involve the Department of Education for the learning and skills aspects, and the Department of Labor to oversee its integration into the workforce. We should create a new federal office specifically for Brain/Computer Interface oversight—something akin to the Office of Science and Technology Policy but focused solely on NB/CI.”

Van Buren: “Smartacus has been a powerful tool in this development. What role should it play as we move forward?”

Rao: “Smartacus should be the backbone of the NB/CI. It can process vast amounts of data, ensuring that ThinkPal 6.0 operates at peak efficiency while safeguarding privacy. Its algorithms will help us refine the system to meet individual needs without compromising collective security. But we need to be transparent about how Smartacus is used—people need to trust that it’s working for them, not against them.”

Van Buren: “So how do we communicate this to the American people? How do we make this vision not just understandable, but persuasive?”

Carmody: (With a marketer’s instinct) “We need to humanize it. Show real stories—families whose lives have been transformed, workers who’ve gained new skills, students who’ve overcome learning disabilities. We position it as the next great American project, one that every citizen has a stake in. And we don’t just talk about the tech—we talk about the people it’s helping.”

Van Buren: “What pledges should I make as a candidate? What promises can we realistically keep?”

Barnes: (Leaning forward) “Promise to democratize access to this technology. Guarantee that it won’t just be for the wealthy or the connected but for every American. Pledge to protect individual rights and privacy as we move forward with these innovations. And, most importantly, vow to use this technology to strengthen, not weaken, our democracy.”

Van Buren: “And the campaign itself—how do we orchestrate it, given that the FDA has authorized the installation of ThinkPal 6.0 in seven volunteers?”

Rao: “We should highlight these volunteers as pioneers—people willing to step into the future for the benefit of all. Document their experiences, their challenges, and their successes. Use these stories as a bridge between the present and the future you’re offering as a candidate.”

Van Buren: “Should I open a series of hearings to bring these issues to the forefront?”

Barnes: “Yes, but frame them as a dialogue with the American people. Invite experts, but also invite regular citizens—teachers, factory workers, nurses—to testify about what this technology could mean for them. Make it clear that you’re not dictating a future, but building it together with the American people.”

Van Buren: (Nodding) “What name would you give these presentations?”

Carmody: “The American Future Forums. It’s simple, forward-looking, and it emphasizes that this is about our shared destiny.”

Van Buren: “Finally, are you with me on this? Building the National Brain/Computer Interface won’t be easy, but we’ll know we’re doing the best we can to save democracy and protect the essential dignity of all Americans in the face of these transformational changes.”

Rao: (Resolutely) “We’re with you, Senator. This is the future, and it’s our responsibility to shape it.”

Barnes: “Count me in. We need to do this right—for all of us.”

Carmody: “Absolutely. This is the next chapter in the American story, and we’re ready to help you write it.”

Van Buren: (Smiling, his resolve clear) “Then we have one last task. What shall be our campaign slogan?”

There was a moment of silence as each person pondered the question.

Carmody: (With a spark of inspiration) “How about, ‘Equal Minds, Stronger Nation’?”

Van Buren: (Grinning) “Perfect. It speaks to everything we’re trying to achieve. Let’s get to work.”

The room was filled with a renewed sense of purpose as they began to map out the campaign, each person knowing that the decisions made here could shape the very future of the nation. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the Capitol dome, as the team prepared to take the first steps on this historic journey.

Henry Van Buren

Derek Barnes

Sarina Rao

Michael Carmody

Thanks for tuning in.

Humans are writing Darwin’s Edge in collaboration with ChatGPT and Gemini. As we go along, we’ll share the story as our Large Language Models decide to write it, as well as the prompts that generated each installment.