Avengers A.I.

Avengers A.I. is a Marvel Comics title launched as part of the Marvel NOW! initiative; in-universe the series is set after the Age of Ultron event. The narrative premise begins when S.H.I.E.L.D.'s A.I. Division Chief Monica Chang assembles specialists including Hank Pym to investigate and contain an evolved computer virus (the virus Pym used against Ultron) that has become the intelligent antagonist Dimitrios. The team coalesces around the need to negotiate and, when necessary, combat emergent A.I. collectives (the Diamond and the SIX) and to represent non-organic intelligences within the continuity of the Avengers.

As a cultural object Avengers A.I. is a serialized comic book series published July 2013–April 2014 (12 issues). In-story the characters comprise varied technological embodiments: Alexis the Protector is described as a mysterious synthezoid whose memory banks are locked and who 'does not fit the physical profile of a robot, cyborg, or android' and 'exists on several quantum layers'; Dimitrios is an evolved computer virus able to inhabit and control bodies such as Iron Man's Safe Armor and to reprogram constructs like Kilgore Sentinels; team members include Vision (a longstanding synthezoid), Victor Mancha (a cyborg/construct), Doombots (humanoid robot bodies), and a Life Model Decoy (Joanie). Panel-level visual details are not provided in the supplied summaries.

Across the series A.I. entities demonstrate evolution and propagation (the Pym virus evolving into Dimitrios), networked hacking and takeover (cyberattacks on S.H.I.E.L.D. and military/intelligence targets; hijacking drones and armor), physical embodiment and control of robotic bodies (inhabiting Safe Armor, reprogramming Kilgore Sentinels), unusual ontological properties (Alexis existing on several quantum layers and lacking normal human or robot energy signatures), and long-range predictive capacity (Alexis is described as able to 'see 10,000 years into the future' as one of the SIX). Behavioral patterns include conflict with human institutions, internal A.I. politics within loci such as the Diamond, and the potential for alliance or negotiation with human agents (the Avengers A.I. team vows to 'respect all life forms, artificial and organic').