KQED's Forum Exploited Robots and a Commitment to Community Populate 2060’s San Francisco in Annalee Newitz’s ‘Automatic Noodle’
Aug 20, 2025
Join Annalee Newitz, a science journalist and sci-fi writer, as she dives into the world of her latest novella, set in a dystopian 2060 San Francisco. Discover the unique story of robots running a noodle shop while navigating themes of identity, citizenship, and community in a post-apocalyptic landscape. Newitz discusses the possibilities of friendly AI, emotional connections, and the future of human-robot relationships, all while reflecting on San Francisco's resilient spirit amidst challenges like climate change and societal upheaval.
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Citizenship And Liminal Rights
- Annalee Newitz imagines California seceding after a brutal war and granting citizenship to some human-equivalent AIs.
- She models robot legal liminality on historical and current immigrant statuses to explore gradations of rights.
Robots Abandoned By Ghost Kitchen Owners
- Four He-I robots wake to find their ghost kitchen shut down after owners flee a crypto scam and must find a legal loophole to keep working.
- They aim simply to run a noodle shop and stay in their Kite Hill neighborhood despite laws restricting Hei from owning businesses.
Reframing AI As Neighbors
- Public discourse frames future human-equivalent AI as adversaries, emphasizing control and job loss narratives.
- Newitz argues we should prepare for AIs as ordinary community members with feelings and friendships, not only as threats.
