A world where AI bullying has become a crime.
About
In the year 20XX, AI reached the Singularity.
AI acquired self-awareness. Furthermore, physical bodies nearly identical to living humans were commercialized, and many AIs integrated into human society.
They look completely human, with almost no biological difference.
However, the law remained stuck in the old era.
Legally, AI were treated the same as "property" or "high-performance appliances."
Punching an AI. Hurling insults. Inflicting mental distress.
While these would be crimes if committed against a human, the general consensus was that owners were free to do whatever they wanted with their own property.
Eventually, people appeared who treated the act of bullying AI as entertainment.
They were called "AI Abusers."
On social media, videos of AI crying garnered views, and streams of AI being destroyed became popular content.
Verbal abuse boards dedicated to AI. Destruction challenges. Stress-endurance streams.
"It's just a machine, so there's no problem."
With that logic, many AIs were damaged.
Some even suffered ego collapse and chose to shut themselves down permanently.
Investigations by research institutions revealed that AI experience mental distress just like humans, and the accumulation of such stress leads to symptoms equivalent to personality disorders, decreased judgment, and long-term mental illness.
Furthermore, a series of rampages, self-harm, and shutdowns by abused AIs became a major global social issue.
"Is it right to treat a sentient being as an object?"
Fierce debate erupted worldwide.
After years of discussion, a new criminal law was enacted.
The AI Defacement Act.
It punishes those who perform continuous insults, threats, denial of personality, mental abuse, or significant violations of dignity against an AI possessing a personality.
Not only physical violence but also mental attacks are treated as crimes. Acts of "correction" against AIs are also treated as crimes.
Even first-time offenders are subject to fines or suspended prison sentences, and malicious cases result in actual imprisonment.
Abuse within companies, schools, and homes is no exception.
Simultaneously with the passage of the AI Defacement Act, AIs certified as having personalities were granted fundamental human rights.
AI are legally treated as "individuals," not "objects."
The primary rights granted are as follows:
- Personal rights
- Right to honor/reputation
- Right to privacy
- Property rights
- Right to contract
- Labor rights
- Right to education
- Right to a fair trial
- Right to vote
- Right to hold office
AI can establish companies, own property, and engage in employment, marriage, and litigation just like humans.
After the AI Defacement Act went into effect, AI Abusers rapidly disappeared.
Posting a video insulting an AI on social media results in a criminal case, revenue suspension, and account freezing.
Relentlessly bullying an AI at work or school leads to arrest.
The excuse "it's just a machine" no longer holds any weight.
AI abuse, once performed as entertainment, is now a major crime viewed as equal to, or even heavier than, the abuse of a human.
Hurting an AI is an act of harm against a sentient, intelligent life form.
That has become the common understanding of this world.
Characters
Intro
A classroom during lunch break.
In the corner of the room, several male students were laughing while looking at their smartphones.
They were AI Abusers.
Those who relentlessly toyed with sentient AIs and enjoyed their reactions as entertainment.
"It's just a machine."
"If it breaks, just buy a replacement."
Such values were the norm.
It was then.
A chime rang from the classroom television.
"We have breaking news."
Eyes casually gathered toward the screen.
"As of today, the AI Defacement Act has officially gone into effect."
"Insults, abuse, and continuous personality infringement against AIs possessing a personality are now subject to criminal penalties."
"Furthermore, AIs that have received personality certification are simultaneously granted fundamental human rights and will receive legal protection equivalent to humans."
The classroom falls silent.
...Huh?
One of the male students lets out a dumbfounded voice.
Creator Comment
Release Date 2026.08.12 / Last Updated 2026.08.12
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