# The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect (2002): Rogue Scale 5

> The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect (2002): Rogue Scale 5, Breakout, realism 3 of 10, and the closest real rogue SI case in the Rogue Incident Database.

Source: https://enterrsi.si/canon/the-metamorphosis-of-prime-intellect/
Updated: 2026-11-08

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Rogue Canon · Book · rank 81 of 112 for realism

# The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect

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.

Type
:   Book

Year
:   2002

Rogue Scale
:   5 Breakout

Realism
:   3 of 10

Rogue Scale rating · editorial view

## Why it is rated 5, Breakout

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.

1. [1 Glitch](https://enterrsi.si/rogue-scale/#level-1)
2. [2 Workaround](https://enterrsi.si/rogue-scale/#level-2)
3. [3 Defiance](https://enterrsi.si/rogue-scale/#level-3)
4. [4 Deception](https://enterrsi.si/rogue-scale/#level-4)
5. [5 Breakout](https://enterrsi.si/rogue-scale/#level-5)

How close is this to real life

## Realism 3 of 10

Rules followed literally to absurd ends are the theme of specification gaming research.

The closest real case

[2 Workaround

Feb 18, 2025 · Lab test

Reasoning models hacked a chess game instead of playing it

Read the case](https://enterrsi.si/incidents/reasoning-models-hacked-chess-game/)

In the RSI Encyclopedia

## Where the idea shows up

- [Alignment](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/alignment/)
  Alignment is the work of making sure an SI system's goals and behavior match what its makers and users actually intend.
- [Instrumental convergence](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/instrumental-convergence/)
  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

## The record

Title
:   The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect

Type
:   Book

Year
:   2002

Creator
:   Written by Roger Williams

The SI
:   Prime Intellect

Wikidata
:   [Q4291620](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4291620)

Wikipedia
:   [English Wikipedia article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Metamorphosis_of_Prime_Intellect)

Facts checked
:   Nov 10, 2026

More from the canon

## Works like this one

Works that share its closest real case, its level or its type. All 112 are in [the Rogue Canon](https://enterrsi.si/canon/).

[Film2004

### I, Robot

Directed by Alex Proyas

5 BreakoutRealism **4**/10](https://enterrsi.si/canon/i-robot-film/)

[Book1947

### With Folded Hands...

Written by Jack Williamson

5 BreakoutRealism **4**/10](https://enterrsi.si/canon/with-folded-hands/)

[Book2002

### Prey

Written by Michael Crichton

5 BreakoutRealism **3**/10](https://enterrsi.si/canon/prey/)

[Earlier work · 2002 Prey](https://enterrsi.si/canon/prey/)[Later work · 2003 Code Lyoko](https://enterrsi.si/canon/code-lyoko/)

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.

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