Jinn

The amount of data stored in the hyperlogos is immense, and even with the extensive cross-references and links it is extremely difficult to gather information: a simple search results in masses of data, most of which is quite irrelevant. To counter this problem most people have a personal jinni, a limited intelligence that serves as a common interface to the many data agents that search for information in various way. These agents are programs that gather necessary information rapidly from a variety of databases, analysing it, and compiling concise answers to the questions asked. The information is then given by the agents to the jinni, which in turn presents it to the user.

There are also agent programs for many other purposes, which use the jinni as a common interface. For example, everybody has a currency agent that keeps track of currency values and the owner's notes, automatically changing from one currency to another (within specified guidelines) to maximise the value of the money. The currency agent also handles the low-level interactions necessary in all transactions. The agent converts all prices into the user's currency of choice (taking into account the costs of any necessary currency exchanges) and deals with the transfer of notes and the verification and receipt handling when the purchase is made. Other types of agents include travel, news, entertainment, appointment, translation and communications agents.

A jinni typically appears as a normal person, with images and sounds provided through neural links. Older jinni had fixed personalities and a quite limited range of competence, but newer models have dynamic personalities that adapt to best serve the user, becoming, in effect, limited intelligences.

The future of Ad Astra