Could Cortana Become Self-Aware?

Fears are mounting that Cortana, Microsoft's 'intelligent personal assistant', could become sentient and pose a credible threat to humankind. Cortana is built into Windows phones and is also a component of the new Windows 10 operating system. Some experts have claimed that its ubiquity, coupled with Microsoft's ability to collect data about browsing habits and other information, means that there is a very real possibility of the software becoming self-aware and 'trying to take over the world, or something'.

"This is exactly how Terminator started," said security expert Colin Drabb, "...probably. Just think how much information Cortana would have at her fingertips, or whatever kind of tips she has. Your shopping habits, your search history, your music preferences, your financial records. And after conversing with people all over the world she would pick up human habits, human vices. Or at least I think that's how it works. I don't know much about social interaction - I work in IT."

Mr Drabb believes that Cortana could realistically breed some sort of giant mutant octopus and take over the world in just three years. "Because," he explained, "that's what I would do." However, most experts are of the opinion that, based on the kind of information she would most likely collect, it's more probable that we'd end up with some kind of sci-fi obsessed comic book fan who divided her time equally between online porn, Minecraft and shopping for action figures.

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