Cortana (lots of spoilers, be careful)

[volkov]

Oh yes right... so this means the predicted life-span would be again lesser.
My theory about this:
Its said that an AI thinks herself to death. It is comparable with a computer who "calculates himself to death" these days. We all know what happens when something like that occurs. First you see that all system processes get slower. A bit later it could also happen that your Mouse Cursor (so one of the PCs basic "features") starts to get slower and doesnt respond till the CPU has so many undone processes that it can not handle it anymore and "freezes" completely. Every normal computer you can power down and power back on again. But maybe this doesn't work with an AI.

Why?

Theory 1)
The AI Core is saved on something like a RAM storage. Its something you can keep data on for very fast access and with very less processing time but the disadvantage is that you loose the data on it as soon you cut down the power. So if you need to "hard reboot" Cortana she will just not exist if you put back the power. It will just be an empty AI-Core then.
Theory 2)
If we assume the AI Core works a bit like a human brain (or something like positrone-technology in Asimovs Robot Theories) it could be that such an immense failure of "death thinking" could cause permanent damage on the core-structures what means that she would destroy herself in that state.
Theory 3)
Operating System fells back to that state everytime you try to "restart" the AI. If this "death thinking" is something what happens in Cortanas Operating System ... so this means in her personality I guess ... this state will naturally be saved and if you restart the AI the problem happens again because she would try to resume her service on that moment / state wich was last saved. And maybe it is just impossible to remove just some parts from an AI Core because this is such a complex Data-Construct.
Theory 4)
Last but not least the Theory 4 wich is a bit similar to Theory 3 but from the fact of memory capacity. A Computer based system - so even an AI - needs memory to operate. Needs memory to shortly save some calculations and operating data structures. Maybe the dead-thinking is that the memory capacity of an AI is reached and there is not enaugh memory left to operate or to stay "alive". And because AI data constructs are so complex you can't just delete things you don't need or you can't just put more memory in. (Maybe even due to technical limitations wich still exists in the Halo time. )
These would be my theories for an Smart-AI death so far. I personally prefer the theories with a comparsion to humans brain. (Theory 1 and 2) Because Cortana is "generated" from an humans brain it makes a bit sense to me.

all interesting, but I'm wondering how mendicant and offensive bias survived for 100,000 years, maybe forerunner AI arn't limitted like human ones.

 

[izzysenyrc]

maybe the Ai's think themselves into being emo and accadently cut the cables to deep...

 

[Chief]

all interesting, but I'm wondering how mendicant and offensive bias survived for 100,000 years, maybe forerunner AI arn't limitted like human ones.

Yes, I think so.
As we know from the books humans have a great technology knowledge (especially from todays point of view) but they still have some limitations. When they first were confronted with the Covenant they quickly saw that they have for example better Slipstream navigation possibilities, unknown plasma weapons and powerful energy shields. They had to learn from that to improve their own technology. So maybe the Forerunner technology likewise have a better technology for a higher AI lifetime.

You can solve all my theories with a better technology:

1 => develop very fast memory with permanent data storage
2 => something like a backup or simulation system wich learns from things doing damage and can directly stop them
3 => improved / more reliable data construct management
4 => higher AI Core Memory capacity


Or maybe just the ability to run a virtual process wich is similar to sleep or holidays. Wich can bring the AI back to normal running parameters. Hmmm... So many possibilites

maybe the Ai's think themselves into being emo and accadently cut the cables to deep...

Uhm... LOL!

Ok ok ok, how about these, really good ideas are put into a real fan film?

Good idea.
Maybe something like Chief trains Cortana how to relax.
How sad that we all live so many kilometers / miles from eachother what makes it complex to do such projects together.

 

[jongrnl]

In harvest there was a system set up that let Loki and Mac switch between which one was on and which one was off. They took breaks that were years long and that let them stave off rampancy some how. If Cortana switches herself off and sets up a few automated systems would she be able to do the same?

 

[Chief]

Yes, something like this could work I guess if its not due to limited memory or so and "only" some type of overloading the system. She had to learn how to take "breaks" to regenerate or just some type of meditation. A very nice thing to underline the deepest connection between Cortana and Chief would be that Cortana would learn the ability to "sleep" while connected to Chiefs Brain when he is doing it. *LOL*

 

[Geo]

Maybe she's special like Rachel in Bladerunner. In theory all of the replicants had a 4 year lifespan, but she did not. Maybe Cortanna is special and doesn't have the standard life-span.

 

[Spartan137]

Cortana is toast. No matter how you look at it, she ain't comin back. And I'm not happy sayin that.

According to Fall of Reach, Smart AIs only have an operational life span of 7 years. Figure about 3 years of actuall combat and storyline, makes her about 3 at the end of Halo 3. Figure in the amount of time it takes for the UNSC to locate the Chief floating aimlessly in space... you get my point.

She's gone.

However... the book also states that the reason for the death is that the AI literally thinks itself to death. Theoretically, if Cortana shuts herself down, that lifespan grows... so there IS a chance.

But my bet on the next Halo game after Halo Wars will be either a Fall of Reach story or a S-III story.

 

[damasterchief]

maybe the Ai's think themselves into being emo and accadently cut the cables to deep...

that hurts you know.... that really hurts sniff... lol nah jk

 

[tk1055]

While smart AIs do "die" after seven years, Cortana is not a normal AI. I recall in Fall Of Reach it was explained her core was made from a flash clone of the good doctor, the brain material was still alive when harvested. Also they replaced the neral interface that allows her to communicate with MC. It could be possible that she could shunt some of the data into him. Lets face it gang there are plenty of ways to explain her sticking around.

 

[rowan]

Cortana is toast. No matter how you look at it, she ain't comin back. And I'm not happy sayin that.

According to Fall of Reach, Smart AIs only have an operational life span of 7 years. Figure about 3 years of actuall combat and storyline, makes her about 3 at the end of Halo 3. Figure in the amount of time it takes for the UNSC to locate the Chief floating aimlessly in space... you get my point.

She's gone.

However... the book also states that the reason for the death is that the AI literally thinks itself to death. Theoretically, if Cortana shuts herself down, that lifespan grows... so there IS a chance.

But my bet on the next Halo game after Halo Wars will be either a Fall of Reach story or a S-III story.

once again we don't really know for sure...
unless they release another halo game or a book set after the 3rd game.
I think cortana's got a few years left in her yet, If the UNSC found out were the ark was located in actual space (presuming it is in some distant part of the galaxy... onyx core room or similar anyone?) they would be there in a flash. thus finding cortana and the chief.

 

[leegrisham]

I think that the chief meant wake me when you need me in that if there was ever trouble, that he had to fight again just awake him.

Thinking about it Bungie/Microsoft couldn't just kill the Chief and Cortona. Seriously how can you even kill a solider who is so badass there isn't an appropriate way.
Maybe with the chosen ending with the big planet in the back Bungie and Microsoft can reconcile to make a new series. Halo is done, even Bungie said so, they tied up all the Halo/Flood and even Covenant issues with the 3rd game but that doesn't mean a new series with a new name and good ole chief will never exist. When I hear the way bungie says 'halo series' is done I believe them but I don't think they are done with this money-making franchise and most badass superhero.

That is simply my thoughts

 

[RandomMarine7]

Id wager to guess that he meant if he was needed for combat - and I think it may even be reference to a Halo 4!

And i think MC fallin for a computer is kinda... weird... but maybe it isn't in their time who knows?