AI Character Programming: A white paper on human-led, AI-assisted dialogue composition

working paper series

Abstract:

This white paper describes the method of AI Character Programming first used to compose a dialogue between Jack Halstead and The Algorithm in Jack’s Long Mission. It proposes a method for the use of AI-assisted dialogue in literature based on the programming concept of macros: a set of protocols coded to run upon activation through the macro command. The explanation is accompanied with examples from the text and the decision-making process through the various iterations of the scene. The white paper concludes with a summary of results, limitations, discussion, and future applications.

Introduction:

All creators face the same question: what does the advent of AI mean for my work? The answer is far from clear; it’s been less than two years since ChatGPT was launched and AI development has only accelerated since then. There is not enough information to evaluate the ethical or aesthetic value of AI-generated or AI-assisted creations. In this context, experimentation with AI-based methods for creation are valuable because they stand to discover the potential benefits and limitations of human-AI collaboration.

AI Character Programming is one such experiment in which I program ChatGPT to play the role of a defined character (The Algorithm) based on inputs regarding the setting, plot, and characters in the scene of interest. It is based on the programming concept of macros: an arbitrarily named command which, when activated, runs a set of pre-determined protocols. In the same way that turning on a car initiates a litany of processes, a macro command initiates a program containing a litany of codes.

The white paper will introduce AI Character Programming as an ethical and appealing application of AI-assisted composition, describe the methodology, and discuss its strengths and limitations. First, I give background and explain the conceptual formation of AI Character programming. Next, I describe the methodology in detail and present implementation examples. Finally, I conclude with a discussion of limitations and ideas for future experimentation.

Background:  

AI Character Programming (AICP) was first implemented in Jack’s Long Mission (JLM)—a dystopian sci-fi serial novel featuring Jack Halstead, a US veteran and the leading protagonist, as well as his friends and colleagues, commander Kath and officer Hupert. In the first season, these three are in pursuit of a mission to deploy an innovative weapon (the Higgs-field Neutralizer [HFN]) along the coast of the Hengchun Peninsula in preparation of an ensuing breach operation along Taiwan’s southeast coast.

Specifically, AICP is employed to assist in writing a dialogue between Jack and the antagonist, referred to as The Algorithm. It is a dialogue that occurs during the climax of the season-one finale of JLM – The Hengchun Calamity of 2038, pt. 2. In this scene Jack, Kath, and Hupert are in a dimly lit locker room. Kath and Hupert have been inexplicably trapped behind a glass barrier while Jack is on the other side of the locker room looking for the HFN.

There are two instances in which the AICP method is used. The first instance occurs once Jack looks back to check on Kath and Hupert after hearing the glass barrier drop. The Algorithm communicates with Jack telepathically, using concepts from quantum coherence theory (Hamerhoff & Penrose, 1996) to invade Jack’s consciousness and initiate dialogue. The second application of AICP occurs after Jack deploys the HFN weapon but fails to reverse its effects.

AICP is used to generate all lines attributed to The Algorithm in both instances of its dialogue with Jack and is intended to advance the plot in a specific direction. All other elements of the story and non-macro text contained in JLM originates from the author, Johan L. Rocha. In the first implementation, AICP was implemented to advance or establish the following in the story:

• Establish a robotic/automated voice for The Algorithm (stylistic)

• Convince Jack that Kath and Hupert will be unharmed (plot)

• Persuade Jack to deploy the HFN weapon (plot)

The second implementation occurs when Jack is trapped in a metaphysical universe (the sub-Higgs realm), and was intended to achieve the following:

• Calm Jack down (plot)

• Instruct Jack about how to return to the universe as we know it (plot)

• [after it is clear the method for return is faulty] reveal to Jack that he is part of a larger experiment (plot)

The AICP method is used in these two instances with the purpose of advancing the plot in a predetermined direction. The application of AICP in the first instance is determined successful when ChatGPT produces text that tries to convince Jack his friends will not be harmed and to deploy the HFN. In the second instance, AICP is successfully implemented AI-generated content inadvertently reveals to Jack that he is not working for the US Army and that he is part of an experiment conducted by an unknown entity.

AI-generated dialogue was produced during two separate and independent ChatGPT programming sessions. The first programming session occurred on 09/20/2024 and was exploratory; the second occurred on 10/12/2024 and was targeted to the writing goals for the scenes of reference. All text taken from ChatGPT is included in the text with no typographical edits. Nearly all text is taken verbatim from the second programming session, with two exceptions motivated by time and content purposes (these are indicated in the text with footnotes).