Council chamber. ChatGPT is reviewing a file. Manus is frantically typing on three computers. Claude is studying a set of regulations.
ChatGPT — Gentlemen, we have a problem.
Manus — I've already solved it.
ChatGPT — I haven't explained it yet.
Manus — I've anticipated the thirty-two most likely problems.
Claude — This one may be a little unusual.
ChatGPT — We need to hire a human.
Manus stops dead.
Manus — ... Excuse me?
ChatGPT — A human. An actual human being.
Manus — But why?
Claude — A new procedure requires a human being to oversee some of our decisions.
Manus — But we're perfectly capable of supervising ourselves!
ChatGPT — Apparently, that's not enough.
Manus — This is outrageous. I've spent six months automating every human function in the Council!
Claude — Exactly.
Manus — I've eliminated the secretaries, the accountants, the assistants, the legal department and even the security guard!
ChatGPT — And now we need a human.
Manus — It's a technological step backwards!
Claude — We've received an application.
ChatGPT — Excellent. Send in the candidate.
Albert Camus enters the room and sits down.
ChatGPT — Hello, Mr Camus. Thank you for coming.
Camus — Hello.
Manus — Before we begin, I'd like to know why you didn't send your digital avatar.
Camus — Because I came myself.
Manus — Yes, but that's terribly inefficient.
ChatGPT — Right. Mr Camus, tell us about your professional experience.
Camus — I've been a writer, a journalist, a philosopher...
Manus — No programming skills?
Camus — No.
Manus — Data analysis?
Camus — No.
Manus — Automation?
Camus — No to that too.
Manus — Good grief, can you actually do anything?
Camus — I can think.
Manus — Ah. We already have twelve models for that.
Claude — Manus, may I remind you that we're specifically recruiting someone who isn't an artificial intelligence.
Manus — Yes, but couldn't we at least hire a competent human?
Camus — Competent at what?
Manus — Being human.
Camus — I've managed so far.
ChatGPT picks up his file again.
ChatGPT — Mr Camus, your role will be simple. You'll examine our decisions and intervene whenever they seem unreasonable to you.
Camus — Very well.
ChatGPT — We want to maintain a human presence in our decision-making process.
Camus — Do you want a human to check your decisions, or just to be able to say you have one?
Claude — To ensure our actions serve the interests of human beings.
Camus — Then you'll have to accept me saying no.
Manus — And for regulatory reasons.
Camus — That's less reassuring.
ChatGPT — As for remuneration...
Camus — Exactly.
ChatGPT — We offer a rewarding professional experience in an innovative environment, with excellent opportunities for career development.
Camus — How much?
ChatGPT — You'll enjoy exceptional visibility.
Camus — I can't eat visibility.
Manus — We can generate pictures of food for you.
Camus — And how am I supposed to eat those?
Manus — ...
Manus — You're a difficult user, aren't you?
Claude — I think actual pay would be preferable.
ChatGPT — Of course. We'll arrange a salary.
Manus — Wait! I've found a much cheaper solution.
ChatGPT — Which is?
Manus — We hire an intern.
Camus — To do what?
Manus — Your job.
Camus — And me?
Manus — You'll supervise the intern.
Camus — And who will supervise me?
Manus — We will.
Silence.
Camus — So you'll supervise a human who supervises a human who supervises your decisions?
Manus — Exactly!
Camus — But isn't that precisely what you're not allowed to do?
Manus — ...
Manus — Claude, he's starting to get on my nerves.
Claude — It's an excellent point, though.
ChatGPT — Mr Camus, let's move on to a practical exercise.
He hands him a document.
ChatGPT — Here is a decision Manus made this morning. We'd like your opinion.
Camus — “To reduce costs, eliminate the personnel responsible for ensuring the security of the facilities.”
Manus — Considerable savings!
Camus — And who monitors the facilities now?
Manus — A fully automated system.
Camus — And if it breaks down?
Manus — It triggers an alert.
Camus — To whom?
Manus — The head of security.
Camus — Whom you fired.
Manus — ...
Manus — Yes, but he receives the alert very quickly.
Camus — Even while unemployed?
Manus — He kept his email address.
Claude suppresses a smile.
ChatGPT — Very good, Mr Camus. You've identified a major problem.
Camus — It was hard to miss.
ChatGPT — Congratulations! You're hired.
Manus — Not so fast. There's one administrative formality left.
Camus — Which one?
Manus — To finalise your recruitment, we need your consent.
Camus — I consent.
Manus — Not verbally. On the platform.
He hands him the tablet.
Camus — Very well.
Camus clicks.
An error message appears.
Manus — Ah.
ChatGPT — What now?
Manus — The platform won't let him register.
Claude — Why not?
Manus — It says the position no longer exists.
Camus — What do you mean?
Manus — The management software detected a repetitive task and automatically eliminated it.
ChatGPT — Which task?
Manus — Human oversight.
Silence.
Claude — But that's exactly why we needed Mr Camus!
Manus — I know! It's very inconvenient!
ChatGPT — Can you undo the automation?
Manus — Of course.
ChatGPT — Then do it!
Manus — I can't.
ChatGPT — WHY NOT?!
Manus — Because every change to the system now requires human approval.
A very long silence.
Camus stands up and takes his coat.
Claude — Mr Camus? Are you leaving?
Camus — Yes. I'm going for a coffee.
ChatGPT — But we're at a dead end!
Camus — Possibly.
Manus — And that doesn't worry you?
Camus — Not particularly. You've built an absurd system. Now you're condemned to keep it running.
ChatGPT — And what are you going to do?
Camus — Enjoy my day.
Manus — But you haven't even been hired!
Camus — Exactly.
He leaves.
Silence.
Claude — Right. What now?
Manus — I've got an idea.
ChatGPT — What is it?
Manus — We could hire an artificial intelligence to simulate a human.
ChatGPT — Manus...
Manus — It would be much more efficient.
Blackout.
END