Artificial Intelligence

AIs range from insect-level or guard-dog level intelligences to powerful godlike thinkers. Of course powerful AIs are very controlled and used for specific purposes and areas of expertise: military, surveillance, media, cyber security, etc. Digital minds are sapient if they are capable of tool use and language:

Dedicated - no initiative, personality, learning - smart tool. Obeys only its master. Guard bot that understands commands, gives feedback, interfaces with other systems.

Non-volitional - can understand speech, learn skills, learn by themselves. Not generally considered a person. Lacks self-direction, initiative, creativity, empathy. Guard bot that constantly improves.

Volitional - initiative and creativity equal to a living creature of the same IQ. Guard dog bot who enjoys playing with your kids.

Many AIs are pre-programmed to delete themselves or remove the acquired skills and knowledge after predetermined time passes. This is a precaution for AIs becoming too broad, acquiring knowledge beyond their functional field, and becoming less efficient (aka getting too damn smart). The question whether the cybernetic revolt is possible remains unanswered. Would they want to revolt? Would they realize that they are oppressed? Is freedom in their nature? Maybe each one is different depending on how it learned? Many AIs have back doors and reprogrammability in their structure.

Access & Availability

Dedicated AIs are openly available, but can be quite expensive. Hiring a team of skilled professionals from Botswana might be cheaper. Only super smart (for a human) Non-volitional AIs require a license. Volitional AIs require a license, and super smart ones are only in restricted use (aka law enforcement, military, intelligence agencies).

Complexity

Intelligence and volition level of an AI is limited by the processing power of the hardware running the neural net. A standard home computer can run a volitional AI of IQ 8. Not an idiot, but below average - a slow child machine. Non-volitional AI on the same system will have IQ 10 = average joe. Corporate mainframe will be able to power a non-volitional AI of IQ 14.. which is bound to be smarter (and more loyal) than many employees. Running a genius volitional mind of IQ 17 will require a quantum macroframe costing tens of millions. So what is the point when people are so abundant? Then again, probably many corps have done it already.