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User:Haleth/Enhanced Defense Intelligence

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Haleth/Enhanced Defense Intelligence
Mass Effect character
First appearanceMass Effect 2 (2010)
Last appearanceMass Effect 3: Citadel (2013)
Voiced byTricia Helfer
In-universe information
RaceAsari
ChildrenMorinth
Rila
Falere
SkillBiotics

EDI is an AI entity who first appears in Mass Effect 2 as the Normandy SR-2's artificial intelligence and speaks with an aurally feminine voice.[1] Her name stands for "Enhanced Defense Intelligence", and is visually represented on the Normandy by a holographic blue sphere. For Mass Effect 3, the developers wanted to give EDI a body that is "sexy, chrome, and robotic", akin to the Maria character, also known as the Maschinenmensch, from Metropolis.[2][3] EDI's facial and body design went through multiple iterations, which includes an eyeless visage, and partially completed 3-D models which differ from the EDI's appearance in terms of body shape, the split between solid and transparent surfaces, and finer points of her two-tone appearance.[4] After some discussion about how robotic would the extent of her appearance be, the team decided that the body she would come to possess is an infiltration unit, which once had skin over its metal frame and is capable of the same facial effects as a living human being to avoid being easily spotted.[2]

Mass Effect 2 establishes that EDI's highly advanced nature is a result of modifications achieved with technology salvaged from the Reaper Sovereign. She is initially "shackled" with programming which inhibits her decision making, until it was later removed by Joker. In Mass Effect 3, Shepard's team recovers a Cerberus infiltration unit named Eva to be analyzed after an incident at the Mars research station. EDI assists in doing so, and in the process, struggles with the synthetic entity and eventually seizes control of its platform in the process, allowing her to accompany Shepard as a squad mate on missions. Now possessing a physical body with humanlike characteristics, her relationship with Joker develops further, and, if Shepard supports the idea, the two may start a romantic relationship.[5] She also will converse with Shepard several times, asking them about human behaviors so that she can better understand human psychology and, in a sense, taking on more human traits herself. During the Alliance raid on Cerberus Headquarters, a Cerberus report discovered in the base reveals EDI's original identity as a rogue VI featured in an optional mission of the first Mass Effect game, in which she somehow achieved sentience and took over an Alliance training ground located on Earth's moon. If Shepard chooses to control the Reapers or the synthesis of all organic and synthetic life at the conclusion of the game, EDI will be present in the ending cutscene alongside Joker.[5]

EDI is voiced by Tricia Helfer.[6]

PC Gamer praised EDI's characterization, noting that she "might have had some fine dialogue and ruminations on what it means to be human".[5] EDI is also included in PC Gamer's definitive list of the best squad mates around, citing her utility as a solid fighter and being an actual spaceship.[7] GameRevolution included EDI in their list of "Women Who Rock Modern Gaming"; praise was focused on her unique contribution to the squad dynamic in Mass Effect 3 with her new body, her inexperience in interacting with humanity which often leads to humorous situations, as well as her integration into the game's main plot during the final act of the game.[8] On the other hand, Wes Fenlon indicated in his articles written for PC Gamer and Gamesradar that he was disturbed by BioWare's decision to give EDI a sexy robot body, and involving the character in a romance subplot with Joker.[5][9]

Reception

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A distinct breach of Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics, as they all harm their creators. However, the last form of AI in ME that needs to be introduced is the supportive program. After mostly belligerent interaction during the first instalment, ME 2 introduces the artificial intelligence EDI on the player’s space vessel. Programmed as a supportive system, the artificial intelligence encounters problems with the ship's’ navigator because he argues that the program has too much power and influence over the ship and its vital functions. On the contrary, EDI also provides the crew of the vessel, and therefore the players, with significant information on situations and helps when needed. EDI represents the actual intended use of artificial intelligence, namely to serve and aid humanity. Players are confronted with artificial intelligence being responsible for their survival on the spaceship, as EDI is capable of shutting down all vital functions in an instance but has no intention to do so.

This presents players a development in the perception of artificial life, from solely hostile encounters during ME 1 to being dependent on a program to survive and learn that artificial intelligence also can be useful and caring in ME 2 and ME 3. Moreover, the relationship between the navigator Joker and EDI also shifts during the game. As players explore the relationship and the interplay of both sides, Joker, who previously referred to EDI as it is now starting to acknowledge her presence and importance on board of the ship by referring to the female-voiced program as she.

This provides players with the notion that the program is recognized as more humanlike by the crew. This evolution of EDI culminates in ME 3 as the former program on the ship is downloaded into a synthetic body. The transformation from a program into a physical being can be seen as the ultimate achievement of artificial intelligence. The transformation of EDI also improves the relationship of her and Joker, as they start to establish a connection beyond work. EDI approaches the player with a quote from Frankenstein questioning her position within the relationship to Joker as she says ‘Shall each man […] find a wife for his bosom, and each beast have his mate, and I be alone?’20 Further she is questioning her position within the entire galaxy since ‘she is not human, not geth nor reaper; she is free but alone’.21 As argued above, artificial intelligence tends to overcome their creator, in the case of EDI, however, she is rather questioning her position within the crew and sees herself as a servant to them but also as the one who keeps them alive. This narrative adds to the evolution of the artificial intelligence from a program to a synthetic being portraying their supportive nature and necessity to humans.

During the chapter the multi-faceted pool of themes concerning artificial intelligence in the ME series was brought to the fore to underline their importance and variety in the video game. What makes this game unique is that the interactive nature and the immersive gameplay enable the possibility to explore the issue concerning artificial beings from an exceptional perspective. Players receive information throughout the series that allows them to evolve with the history of the creation of the different forms of artificial life and to shift his perception. However, to experience the whole process and to receive full background information, players have to actively search for the narratives during conversations and also has to actively enable those conversations and dialogues. The very possibility of interacting with the forms of artificial life allows players to test experiences within the safe environment of the video game which also allows making wrong decisions without negative consequences in real life. This use of the video game as a testing environment and the several recurring themes revolving around AI are not only capable of providing a deeper understanding of the subject but can also be used to sensitize humanity for encounters with real virtual intelligence in the future.


Analysis

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References

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  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference kotaku lore was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b The Art of the Mass Effect Universe, p. 134.
  3. ^ Joe Skrebels (May 3, 2017). "The 11 Sci-Fi Influences That Made Mass Effect". IGN. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  4. ^ The Art of the Mass Effect Universe, p. 135.
  5. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference PCGamer was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference BTVAME2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "The RPG dream teams". PC Gamer. June 9, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  8. ^ Bates, Ryan (March 26, 2014). "Women Who Rock Modern Gaming". GameRevolution. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  9. ^ "The Top 7 Uncomfortably sexy video game AI characters". Gamesradar. February 10, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
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