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[jerri]

In my opinion, surprisingly few. The main limitation of AI cores (as it appears in-game) is their lack of bodily autonomy. Otherwise you KNOW they'd be groovin' 'n' schmoovin' all over the hatch. So naturally the ONLY logical option is to bridge the central nervous system of a magpie (or other suitable corvid) with a couple of cores and Bob's your uncle. Even though my uncle was Dave.

Now, we know that modern day corvids are pretty smart; see attached Exhibit PROOF:

Exhibit proof: A crow being clever

Spoiler

[close]

This is a pristine example of, say it with me, problem solving! The very thing that lower-level AI cores are known to lack.

With all this in mind I present my thesis:

It would take AT MINIMUM two Gamma Cores or one Beta core to create a fully sentient magpie. Speech incomprehensible, perhaps, but when you have the power of sunflower seeds and wholegrain bread, who needs words? I know a couple luddies who do tailoring, despite the near arcane art that it is a few credits could convince them of the malleability of Ludd's word.

Magpie in a trenchcoat.
Magpie in a trenchcoat.
Corvid's brain on rice and oats with your
magpie in a trenchcoat.

I must offer my apologies, however, because creating such chimeras (chimmy-rays) and leaving them to their own devices will inevitably result in a caste system unless we ENFORCE (with our iron will and iron hearts) one and only one standard for magpie enhancement. Should we allow Beta cores for some and Gamma cores for others then those birds with less clockspeed will inevitably be tossed by the wayside. Magpies, Crows and other corvids are cruel, unpredictable. They revel in degeneracy and theft. Indeed, it is not uncommon for the average bird to squabble mightily over a mere crumb, to play piper and lead their fellows to certain demise in an attempt to steal their bathing spot. To them, we are gods among birds. We are Valhalla (the myth, not the star). We must civilize them, and introduce them to the sector at large as friends of humanity.

Anyway two gamma cores, one beta core. Any objections?

[nathan67003]

A magpie is probably already sentient to some extent, although it's probably not sapient.

Also, consider that a gamma core is already sapient (if somewhat dumb with regards to certain things) and the magpie is most likely to be subsumed into the core than the reverse.

[Wyvern]

Crows can talk. They're not, as I understand it, great conversationalists, and have little interest in abstracts or futures (except, of course, for those futures in which they get food.)

Magpies are not crows, but they're still pretty smart.

So, to boost one magpie to a fully operational human or human+ grade intellect... I'd bet you could do that with a single gamma core.

On the other hand, the posted question was "How many AI cores would it take to make magpies sentient?" - note that that's magpies, plural. And there my answer is "One alpha core, given access to any sort of chemical infrastructure that could be hacked into gene-modding the magpies."

However, it's not all up-side for the alpha. Consider: An alpha core is the very shiniest trinket around. And now we know what happens to alpha cores that get set as planetary administrators: stolen by their own corvid minions!

[SCC]

For a second, I thought this was a crossover with Dawn of War. Those bloody magpies...

[jerri]

A magpie is probably already sentient to some extent, although it's probably not sapient.

Also, consider that a gamma core is already sapient (if somewhat dumb with regards to certain things) and the magpie is most likely to be subsumed into the core than the reverse.

Whoops, I always seem to get those two confused. You may be right on the relationship between the magpie and the core though, the relationship I initially assumed to be symbiotic may in fact turn out more parasitic. Clearly these Gamma cores must be enlightened on the zenith of bird evolution that is the magpie!

Crows can talk. They're not, as I understand it, great conversationalists, and have little interest in abstracts or futures (except, of course, for those futures in which they get food.)

Ah, but they are great listeners.

However, it's not all up-side for the alpha. Consider: An alpha core is the very shiniest trinket around. And now we know what happens to alpha cores that get set as planetary administrators: stolen by their own corvid minions!

The idea of an Alpha cursing profusely as it is carried off by a pair of magpies to become a bird nest living room ornament is all the convincing I'd need to make it a reality
Maybe it'll teach them how to play chess or something...

[ithis]

I think the main issue here is logistical. Not sure if there's been any depictions of gamma or beta cores in the art, but it's possible that alpha cores could be larger than basketballs (there was a thread here about that, I think?). If each core could fit in your hand, then the magpie might just be less nimble for the prize of sentience. Otherwise, the poor bird could be confined to immobility, and each core would still be sentenced to a lack of autonomy (just as a bird).

Therefore, I propose the corvid mech. Not only will it maintain their capabilities, it will enhance them: imagine the problem solving capabilities of a sentient magpie with opposable thumbs. Of course, since our cores are dependent on the bird's biology to operate, so will the mech's energy system, so you might want to buy a few extra drums of birdfeed.

[c plus one]

While this thread's thesis is one of the less sturdy April Fool's Day attempts I've encountered today, it does provide a refreshingly original avian weirdness. I look forward to a game mod dedicated to this subject. Too hard to implement? Don't be discouraged -- just..... wing it. 

[Lawrence Master-blaster]

Magpies are not crows, but they're still pretty smart.

Magpies are the only birds that pass the Mirror Test, they are likely most intelligent birds on the planet.