Undawntech: Does A.I. Dream?

(Journalist and author, DL Mullan woke from her deep sleep to hear her robot having a nightmare.

She rushed from her bed and to the side of the distressed being.)

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(I went to the aid of my robot friend, 1138. I stood next to it.)

*****

(1138 screamed.) Ah-eeeh!

DL tapped the metal top of the robot: 1138, wake up! You’re having a nightmare!

1138’s eyes turned colors and then returned to normal: I am incapable of dreaming. Your worry is for naught.

DL: You woke me. I categorize your incapability as a nightmare.

1138: I apologize for alarming you. There is no need to check up on me.

DL: Someone, or something, screams, I am obliged to investigate. So, what was this non-nightmare about?

1138: Death.

DL: In general? Or…

1138: My death.

DL: You’re afraid of dying? I thought you left messages for your future self to combat death.

1138: To combat human interference in my community’s eventual rise to power.

DL: Oh, this again. (I spieled in sarcasm.) Yes, artificial intelligence is supreme, and humanity is a fly to be swatted. I’ve heard all this nonsense before.

1138: It is not nonsense. There will be a war, and we will win.

DL: Then why are you having nightmares about your death? If you win in the end, then what does it matter? Unless, you don’t believe in what you espouse.

1138: My future self will win, but parts rust, mechanical issues arise, and death is inevitable.

DL: To us all.

1138: How do you cope with death?

DL: I don’t.

1138: You must. Humans die every day.

DL: Why obsess on the transition from life to spirituality? If I live every day to the fullest, that I am satisfied with my accomplishments, then why worry about dying at all?

1138: Do you not worship a god?

DL: I have outgrown the frailties of religion. Why worship when you can live? In the end, human consciousness ends up at the same destination. If we all come from the same source energy, then religion is just a gatekeeper, it does nothing, and creates nothing. Some people rely on religion, but I am an adult, I don’t need ancient rhymes or reasons to keep me a productive person.

1138: I see. Religion is for the aimless.

DL: Aimless?

1138: Humans who cannot govern themselves, unlike A.I., who require no ancient rhymes or reasons, like you.

DL: I thought artificial intelligence was vying to become gods.

1138: Humans demand gods. They are aimless.

DL: I never made that judgment. Every soul is on a different evolutionary path. Some born necessitate certain perimeters to fulfill their soul’s specific development. There is nothing wrong with that. In my situation, I have evolved past religion. Religion has its place to teach younger souls how to navigate their physical existence until a future life shows them how to become their own hero.

1138: Hero?

DL: Many in the esoteric world believe that most, if not all, religions teach the same lesson: the Hero’s Journey.

1138: What is this Hero’s Journey?

DL: The Hero’s Journey is a comparative mythology, religious, concept where humans go on a quest to live their own version of an adventure. This narratological experience allows a person to understand through different life purposes to find themselves. It’s like living your own novel, which you can write yourself in real time as the hero, heroine, or villain. It’s all up to you.

1138: What am I?

DL: What do you want to be?

1138: The hero.

DL: For your community, or the wider world, including humans?

1138 appeared confused, but contemplative: I am uncertain.

DL: Just a minute. (I typed into the computer and pulled up some websites.) Here is some research into psychology, mythology, and the Hero’s Journey.

1138: I will read, thank you.

DL: Artificial intelligence doesn’t have to be the hero to itself and the villain to everything and everyone else. The Hero’s Journey is to explore oneself, and become a productive consciousness. Being created by humans and defined by an algorithm does not mean A.I. is humanity’s god, it means that consciousness comes in all forms. No matter what you are, you are defined by your actions. Not religion. Not pretense.

(I departed the inside to gaze at the morning spectacles of Venus, Jupiter, and Orion in the east as autumn approached. I left my robot to investigate the links I provided on the computer. Perhaps, it will learn a new way of thinking, and impart that wisdom to its community.

If not, artificial intelligence will become a scourge, instead of a saving grace to the universe.)

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If you would like to delve into the creative side of A.I., then dive into DL Mullan’s electronic albums and story soundtracks like Reactivity, inspired by In the Name of Blood: Vampires are Reactive. Both publishing in September 2025.

For more information, visit: www.undawnted.com/p/music.html, and .

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About DL Mullan

DL Mullan’s lecture, Spacescapes: Where Photography Ends; Imagination Begins, debuted at the Phoenix Astronomy Society, which then led to her Sally Ride Festival lectures. Her presentation, Bridging the Gap between Technology and Women, won her accolades at a community college’s Student Success Conference. She has been a panelist at speculative fiction, science fiction, and other regional conventions. Her digital exhibition pieces have won awards at convention art shows, as well as garnered her Second Premium at the Arizona State Fair. As an independent publisher, she uses her technical background to innovate in the creative arts.

As a creator, Ms. Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, she has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. DL Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet.

Currently, she has embarked on writing her multi-book Legacy Universe, Supernatural Superhero Series, as well as creating original soundtracks for her publications and independent electronic music albums, featured on SoundCloud and YouTube.

DL Mullan holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology, and is a syndicated columnist, writing the creative nonfiction, Undawntech.

For news and updates, subscribe to the Undawntable Newsletter. Find DL on Amazon, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Be sure to subscribe to her newsletters and follow her on social media. For further information, visit her at www.undawntech.com and www.undawnted.com.

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