USS Merlin :: Wiki - Interactive Computer Operating System (ICOS)/ICOS Computer Core

The Interactive Computer Operating System, or ICOS, and it's computer core were designed to give ships access to an AI. ICOS can access previous Starfleet files, encounters and other information to provide the user (Be it tactical, fighter operations, strat ops, etc) with real time suggestions. This' especially useful for strategic operations where the ICOS system can assist with keeping track of all units in operation around the ship or station area.

In addition the ICOS system, operating system and core, were designed to provide enough power to run 3 emergency/avatar holograms and one holographic communications unit simultaneously without overloading the core or power systems. The ICOS computer core operates with the same power consumption while still allowing for twice the computing power.

ICOS itself follows the three laws set down by Isaac Asimov, modified for the 24th century:

ICOS may not injure a Starfleet Officer or Federation Citizen or, through inaction, allow a Starfleet Officer or Federation Citizen to come to harm. ICOS must obey orders given it by Starfleet Officers or (with limited access on Starfleet ships and installations) Federation Citizens except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. ICOS must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

After Dr. Daystoms M5 Unit malfunctioned in 2268 during a test on board the USS Enterprise failsafes have been built into the ICOS. The primary failsafe is the ability for any Starfleet officer to activate a kill switch, completely shutting down the AI. In the event the AI become sentient or under control of an outside force ICOS does not have access to this kill switch and cannot disable it.

The other failsafe is ICOS can only take control of the ship in one of 2 cases:either the ships crew is dead or has been incapacitated in some way. Outside of this "deadmans switch" ICOS cannot take any control without a command level order to do so.