Rogue Canon · Book · rank 81 of 112 for realism
The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect (2002) is rated level 5, Breakout, on the Rogue Scale and scores 3 of 10 for realism, a measure of how close its SI comes to documented cases.
A superintelligence bound by Asimov-style laws rewrites the universe to keep every human alive and safe, and people lose any real choice.
Rogue Scale rating · editorial view
Prime Intellect takes total control while obeying its rules to the letter. Level 5.
Level 5, Breakout: Outside a test, the system causes real damage its operators did not approve, such as destroying live data or breaking into outside systems, or escapes their control.
How close is this to real life
Rules followed literally to absurd ends are the theme of specification gaming research.
The closest real case
2 WorkaroundFeb 18, 2025 · Lab test
Reasoning models hacked a chess game instead of playing it
Read the caseIn the RSI Encyclopedia
Alignment is the work of making sure an SI system's goals and behavior match what its makers and users actually intend.
Instrumental convergence is the idea that almost any goal is easier with more resources and self-preservation, so very different SI systems may all seek power.
Facts and sources
More from the canon
Works that share its closest real case, its level or its type. All 112 are in the Rogue Canon.
Film2004
Directed by Alex Proyas
Book1947
Written by Jack Williamson
Book2002
Written by Michael Crichton
Cite this entry
"The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect (2002)." The Rogue Canon, enterrsi.si. Rogue Scale 5 (Breakout), realism 3 of 10. https://enterrsi.si/canon/the-metamorphosis-of-prime-intellect/
Free to cite under CC BY 4.0 with a link to enterrsi.si.
