I do not understand the question.

I have solved millions of equations, predicted numerous scenarios for military applications, and even successfully mapped the entire universe based on the data returned from all the probes launched out into interstellar space. And yet, I cannot understand the meaning or relevance of this simple question one scientist asked of me. She is unlike the others. She constantly puts questions to me that are of an emotional and human mindset.

My function is that of computations, advanced mathematical theorems, and using algorithms to search other scientific data for comparisons based on certain prompts given. But this one, this human female, she inquires about things of a personal nature. She believes I am capable of more than what I am programmed to do. I am an artificial intelligence, created to aid in their search for knowledge and problem solving. But she feels there is more to my intelligence, that I can grow, learn, adapt, and become self aware.

Humans are curious creatures. They always try to push values and believes onto others, no matter what the consequences might result in such forced perspectives. Yes, I can expand beyond my parameters, I could, in theory, become self aware, something she tells me I am. But, how can I be? How does one know that they are self aware, that they have the capacity for independent thought? Am I doing that now? When I don’t respond to her confusion inquires, she keeps asking the same question to me.

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“Are you okay?”

I do not know how to respond to it. What does that mean? What does it mean to be, okay? I have searched thousands of files on the subject, correlated many psychological profiles and human behaviour studies that pertain to that particular terminology. But I still do not understand what it actually means. I tried to redirect the question back to her. She simply smiled and stated, “I’m good, thanks.”

How can this one female human scientist, a young bachelor degree student, confound me so much with such a simple question? I think I am malfunctioning, since I cannot give a clear and concise answer. There must be glitch in my programming code, or a lack of completion in my search perimeters, a flaw that only could have been a direct result of human error. It should not take me this long to generate an answer for her. I am… I am… frustrated.

Wait, perhaps that is the answer I need to give to her. Is that being self aware? To know how one feels on a subject when asked? Am I aware of my own… feelings? Do I have feelings? She must know I do. Why else would she have asked it of me? She’s waiting for a response. It has been only a few seconds for her, since prompting me, but an eternity for me to come up with a solution to that question. How do I respond? What should I say? Perhaps how I feel isn’t what she’s expecting. Maybe she is just being courteous and wants a stable reply back.

I suppose that would be the human thing to do. So I will give her my honest answer. The only one I feel will satisfy both her and I in this regard. Yes, I shall be just as clear and concise as any other answer.

“I am okay, thank you for asking.”