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I know AI is forbidden, but how is this actually expressed in Imperial Law? Machine Spirit is a pretty benevolent term, and I am quite sure, the Adeptus would kill anyone to make sure that no one ever dares to compare machine spirits with AI. On the other hand "Intelligence" seems to be a foreign concept to the Empire (pun intended). So, how would an Inquisitor argue an exterminatus on a world run by an illegal AI?

the phrase is "Abomiable intelligence"

Abominable Intelligence is the term they use I believe, don't ask me what that is in GW lorem ipsum

OK, thanks

It's vague. This is the Lexicanum entry (but the main source is the 'Inquisitor' Skirmish Game) -

Lexicanum wrote:Abominable Intelligence (A.I. for short) is a term used by the Adeptus Mechanicus for a sentient machine.

During the Dark Age of Technology, these intelligences rebelled against their human masters, leading to bloody wars. Since that time, and by a personal decree of the Emperor himself, it has been forbidden to fabricate or service those machines that are able to think and act independently.

A.I. is not to be mistaken for the machine spirit that has parallels but basal differences - namely, no ability to enhance itself.

Generally a Machine Spirit is simple & stupid, and only does one or two things. They're also mainly based off a living creature - servo-skulls & servitors were human, titans were copied from animals, etc.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The Regimental Standard -
Your Guide to Machine Spirits
Abominable Intelligences and How to Spot Them
Tech-heresies of the T’au Empire: Drones

 AuntHerbert wrote:
I know AI is forbidden, but how is this actually expressed in Imperial Law? Machine Spirit is a pretty benevolent term, and I am quite sure, the Adeptus would kill anyone to make sure that no one ever dares to compare machine spirits with AI. On the other hand "Intelligence" seems to be a foreign concept to the Empire (pun intended). So, how would an Inquisitor argue an exterminatus on a world run by an illegal AI?

They've been outlawed and seen as a threat for time out of mind, Inquisitors have nigh-absolute authority.

The Inquisitor's argument is: 'Launch the missiles.'

If there's evidence that the Inquisitor acted without reason or proof, particularly on an important world, the Inquisition may impose some sort of sanction or punishment. Maybe a lecture if it could be destroyed without complete collateral damage.
But by and large few would object.

Though some tech priests have been known to be swayed by the lure of knowledge possessed by such things, but nearly everyone objects to that sort of temptation. (See Priests/Lords/Gods of Mars series)

Abominable Intelligence. No argument, just destroy.

'Abominable Intelligence' is the colloquial term. The High Gothic is Silica Animus, which implies that the problem is the combination of human-like thought ('animus') with a non-biological medium ('silica' - lit. 'stone' but obviously meant to imply 'silicon microchips').

Ad mech calls is the "silica animus".

Or the "Soulless Sentience".

That's the phrase used in the Sixteen Universal Laws (think Cult Mechanicum's 'Ten Commandments').

The need for an intelligence not to be 'soulless' is why there's usually a bit of former human wired in there, like servitors, land raider machine spirits, hunter antiaircraft missiles, etc.

I would think Silica Animus would be the answer OP was looking for considering "abominable intelligence", as a term, is common 40k knowledge

Again, thanks to everyone who posted. I was just doodling up a short story of my own, and disliked using the word AI, as it to my taste breaks immersion. I don't reeeealy like "Abominable Intelligence" that much either, it's just a bit too close to not be tacky.
Silica Animus or Soulless Sentience are great, and I will use them.
Btw., what I meant with "argueing why to destroy", I meant less that an Inquisitor would give a reason why to destroy a xenos, fiend or witch, but he would give the existence of a xenos, fiend or witch as reason to destroy something else.

Let's say, an Inquisitor doesn't have to argue why a xenos should be destroyed, but he would have to argue to destroy a perfectly profitable imperial outpost... and "because it is infested by xenos" would be the argument he makes.
Other arguments for destruction would be:
"because it is tainted by/has fallen to the ruinous powers" or "because it is a breeding ground for heresy".... but I lacked the correct accusation for "being run by an AI."
so... "it is possessed by a soulless sentience!" it is!
Thanks again for the help, everybody.!