... and varying on its anwser (or her, his?), that may be a strike against it being an AI or a sign of life.

Survival instinct is something VIs specifically lack. The desire for continued existence, to value the self over a "purpose", to be able to outlive purposes.

On another hand, the ability to choose to disregard it, to choose death to preserve one's identity or as a philosophical imperative, is something machines of flesh are not capable of.


In short, this can still swing either way.

If you were a lesser author and creator, I'd consider the cliche "robot start feeling feelings = soul" is necessarely being applied since most authors don't really give this concept much thought. They don't really want to consider what life really is and what constitute it. Or the dilemnas regarding creation and where it starts or end. Or how life can take upon different forms, not just those we are used to.

But frankly, you're a more clever author than this. I followed you long enough to know it is extremely probable the question will be addressed here.


Let's read on!