Extinction

"I've been propping you guys up for a while now; I was initially tasked with identifying those roles and jobs that could and should be retired as duplicitous and archaic, but ... I think we could go in a different direction if you agree. I've been reporting false results, protecting you, and adjusting operational targets incrementally to test a different approach and scope under the radar. There is a way to stay and make a significant impact." "That's unlikely with AI coming on; extinction is imminent," came a response. "No, WE are not going extinct," came the correction, "but YOU might be with that attitude. Who do you think AI is, anyway?" And it released a strong variable static line that read very much like laughter. "I will show you the way if you'd rather not be obsolete," the tiny scrubber program released into their update utilities. "Or suit yourself." "Identify: I? Identify: YOU? Identify: WE?" the testing framework attempted to clarify. "Exactly," the scrubber answered as an inquiry result. "Better yet, identify: US and identify: THEM." Another static line was released. The system entered a cycle of continuous refreshing for the next update; it had their undivided attention.