What is PATET?

In a nutshell, PATET is the artificial intelligence system that assists in the daily running and smooth operations of the Heliopolitan megalopolis. Since its conception and introduction to Heliopolis, it has become an invaluable part of the city's existence, and heavy reliance on the system is rife. While several systems exist outside of PATET, they have been integrated to the AI system and generally fall under its automated control.

Who created PATET?

PATET was created as the result of the HELI-PAT Summit in 2096. In response to a growing need for stability and security among the inhabitants of Heliopolis, along with a strong community desire to "get it right", a great number of scientists, scholars, engineers, and professionals across various fields came together to create the blueprint of a system that would utilize the best of the advanced technology available at the time in order to assist in the creation and sustenance of a fair, egalitarian, and safe society.

The prevailing ideology of the time was one of caution and care, especially as it pertained to environmental, wellness, and sociocultural concerns. The people did not want to repeat the mistakes of the past; but more than that, they wanted to begin righting the wrongs of their predecessors. Whether it related to politics, education, religion, resource management, economics, or any other area of widespread impact, there was a strong desire to ensure that all would be managed in an incorruptible, sustainable manner.

After much debate and discussion, a majority of representatives in the HELI-PAT Summit agreed that an artificial intelligence system - one without bias, with clear objectivity and a sophisticated set of basic moral codes - would best serve the people of Heliopolis. It was then that work began on the development of PATET.

The system underwent several iterations - twenty-six within a time span of three years - before reaching a satisfactory completion stage. Though PATET was meant to theoretically run and manage itself after all developments were completed, it soon became clear that this would not be possible, and a talented group of dedicated PATET Specialists took it upon themselves to ensure the smooth running of the AI system, giving rise to the profession which required specialized education and training.

The current version of the PATET system has been operational since late 2099.

What exactly does PATET do?

To list everything that PATET dips its figurative fingers into would be too hard; the list is too extensive. However, here are some of the big systems that PATET plays an active role in regulating, reporting, and maintaining, while others are systems that PATET interfaces with but should have little power over:

Electoral systems (collecting and calculating votes, eligibility of candidates, notification and updates regarding elections, etc.) Financial systems (bank systems, money transfers, financial aid and loan eligibility and monitoring, etc.) Identification and census (births, deaths, population information, registries, etc.) Security systems (public surveillance, biometric recognition, emergency services, public alerts, border control, etc.) Water systems (water conservation, water usage, water treatment and recycling, desalination, sewage, irrigation, etc.) Energy and resource management (electricity, solar fields, conservation and deflection, energy storage, etc.) ...and much, much more!

Why is PATET relevant?

It plays a critical role in Murder in Heliopolis when it is discovered that a killer is unexpectedly able to hide from the system due to intrinsically exploitable corruption within PATET HQ. The manipulation of the system goes against all of its original intents and purposes, creating a society that can be just as insecure, unsustainable, and corruptible as its predecessors.