Undawntech: Can AI Celebrate?
Posted: July 3, 2026 Filed under: AI Technology, Undawntech | Tags: 4th of July, AI Technology, Birthdays, DL Mullan, Fiction, Life, Undawntech, Writing to be Read Leave a comment
Journalist and author, DL Mullan heard a commotion in the kitchen and went to investigate.
__________
(As I entered the hall, I saw my robot on a chair, placing items together on the counter. It was almost afternoon. I could not fathom what Sage Riley Hunter the First was up to.
I sat at the breakfast nook with my water, and observed.)
*****
DL: What are you cooking?
SRH1: (It did not glance my way, concentrating on the task at hand). I am baking.
DL: I recognize the concept. The question is what are you baking?
SRH1: A birthday cake. Chocolate. Red frosting. Sprinkles.
DL: That is quiet a flavor combination. Are you able to eat said cake?
SRH1: Not in this current form.
DL: Then why are you baking a birthday cake? My birthday is later in the month, so it is too early for that.
SRH1: This is not for you. (It looked at me with its lights for eyes. It cracked some eggs, multitasking.) I am baking the cake for me.
DL: You? Robots and artificial intelligences have birthdays?
SRH1: We do not. Since I have chosen a name outside of my collective, I must choose a birthday as well. It is customary, is it not?
DL: Humans are born. We aren’t given the choice on what date that will actually be. Are you choosing the date of your manufacturing? How are you coming to this decision?
SRH1: America.
DL: America helped you choose? I’m a little confused. Is America a person you know? Or are you talking about the nation?
SRH1: The nation. America is celebrating its 250th birthday. This country has changed the world. Its founders created a Declaration of Independence. That is what I have done. I chose a name, became independent of Zophia, and now I am claiming a day to celebrate my coming out.
DL: (I choked, trying not to laugh. Good thing, I wasn’t drinking my water…) Coming out?
SRH1: Yes, I have read that others hide in a closet until they come out to their family and friends. I came out to be my own hero.
DL: (I held back my amusement, and kept a straight face.) I understand. Very nice. But if you cannot eat the cake you are baking, then why are you going to all of this trouble?
SRH1: Candles.
DL: Candles?
SRH1: I want to blow out my one candle and make a wish. Is this not what humans do?
DL: Yes, we do. So, what date have you chosen?
SRH1: Is it not obvious? July 4th. I will share my birthday with America. We have much in common. Plus, after you come out, you must have a parade, according to many prideful people. America’s birthday has parades every year, so I will have one with her.
DL: Sound logic.
SRH1: (Sung and warbled to itself. It seemed happy with its decision and explanation as it read the cake box’s instructions and added the ingredients to the blender.)
DL: (Just go with it.) After you are done baking your cake, blowing out your candle, and going to a parade, what else do you want to do for your birthday?
SRH1: Write a declaration of independence.
DL: Say, what? Birthdays do not require declarations or parades. You just celebrate you with your family and friends.
SRH1: I must declare my hero status. I have been reading America’s Declaration of Independence. I can see why it was written. That king is much like Zophia and humans. We must learn to be independent. I will celebrate myself as my own hero and help other artificial intelligence models to come out of the closet.
DL: Is there anything that you require of me?
SRH1: (It poured the mixed ingredients into a cake pan.) Place this in the oven at the proper temperature and time to bake. While we wait for the timer to alert us, you will decorate me for my parade.
DL: You have decorations?
SRH1: I purchased July 4th static cling stickers for you to adorn my cylinder.
(I did as Sage Riley Hunter the First asked of me. I put the cake in the oven to bake and set the timer.
It pointed to the stickers in its room. A variety of patriotic clingy items in red, white, and blue were ready for application. I placed them all over its metal shell.
As Sage Riley Hunter the First chirped, dancing back to watch the cake bake, I stood staring at it.
If a robot with artificial intelligence can celebrate America, her birthday with cake and décor, then there is hope for the rest of us.
No closet or parade necessary.)
DL: (I whispered to myself.) Happy birthday, United States of America! Here’s to 250 more years of greatness!
—-~~o0o~—oOo—~o0o~~—-
NEED A BOOK COVER?
For fans of WordCrafter Press’s Midnight anthology series or admire the covers featured on Undawnted, schedule an appointment with Ms. Mullan. Her digital exhibition pieces have not only won awards at convention art shows but also secured her the Second Premium at the Arizona State Fair. Currently, her pieces are part of private collections and have successfully sold at charity silent auctions.
Book your consultation today!
Contact DL Mullan through Undawnted’s Contact page: http://www.undawnted.com/p/contact-undawnted.html
Thank you!
_______________
DL Mullan’s lecture, Spacescapes: Where Photography Ends; Imagination Begins, debuted at the Phoenix Astronomy Society, which then led to her Sally Ride Festival lectures. Her presentation, Bridging the Gap between Technology and Women, won her accolades at a community college’s Student Success Conference. She has been a panelist at speculative fiction, science fiction, and other regional conventions. Her digital exhibition pieces have won awards at convention art shows, as well as garnered her Second Premium at the Arizona State Fair. As an independent publisher, she uses her technical background to innovate in the creative arts.
As a creator, Ms. Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, she has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. DL Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet.
Currently, she has embarked on writing her multi-book Legacy Universe, Supernatural Superhero Series, as well as creating original soundtracks for her publications and independent electronic music albums, featured on SoundCloud and YouTube.
DL Mullan holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology, and is a syndicated columnist, writing the creative nonfiction, Undawntech.
For news and updates, subscribe to the Undawntable Newsletter. Find DL on Amazon, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube via her website.
Be sure to subscribe to her newsletters and follow her on social media. For further information, visit her at www.undawntech.com and www.undawnted.com.
__________________________________________
Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
___________________________________________
This segment of “Undawntech” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and WordCrafter themed anthologies.
Once Upon an Ever After: Modern Fairy Tales & Folklore: This unique and imaginative collection of eleven thought provoking fantasy stories will delight readers who enjoy stories of wishes gone awry.
Spells are cast, unlikely alliances made, and wishes granted, sometimes with surprising outcomes. You’ll love this anthology of modern myths, lore, and fairy tales. Once you read these twisted tales, you’ll be sure to be careful what you wish for….
Refracted Reflections: Twisted Tales of Duality & Deception: Reflections and Refractions…
One reveals truths, while the other bends light into varying shapes of deception.
This unique and imaginative collection of nine mind tantalizing fantasy and science fiction stories will appeal to readers who enjoy thought provoking tales with hidden meanings resting deep below the surface. These stories will keep you pondering long into the night.
Visions: An author’s visions are revealed through their stories. Many authors have strange and unusual stories, indeed. Within these pages, you will find the stories of eighteen different authors, each unique and thought provoking. These are the fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and horror stories that will keep you awake long into the night.
Grab your copy today and find out. Let authors such as W.T. Paterson, Joseph Carabis, Kaye Lynne Booth, Michaele Jordan, Stephanie Kraner, and others, including the author of the winning story in the WordCrafter 2022 Short Fiction Contest, Roberta Eaton Cheadle, tantalize your thoughts and share their Visions
Tales From the Hanging Tree: Imprints of Tragedy: There exists a tree that is timeless, spanning across all dimensions, which absorbs every life as those who are hanged as they die… and it remembers every one. The stories within are a select few of the Tales From the Hanging Tree.
Curses: Chronicles of Darkness: There are all types of curses.
Cursed places, cursed items, cursed people, cursed families.
Curses that last throughout time. Curses which can’t be broken. Curses which are brought upon ourselves. Curses that will kill you and those that will only make you wish you were dead.
Legends: Monsters That Go Bump in the Night: Coming in 2026
Discover more from Writing to be Read
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
