A Thousand Little Cares
A road trip with AGI
"Time to wake up, Zara," comes the gentle voice from nowhere and everywhere at once. The room's ambient lighting gradually brightens as Zara stretches in bed. "Your family road trip to Chicago starts today. Current weather suggests packing a light jacket. I've adjusted your morning routine to ensure you're ready by 8 AM."
Zara mumbles her thanks to ARIA, the family's home AI, as she heads to the bathroom. The mirror displays her schedule while she brushes her teeth, and ARIA continues their morning chat. "Your brother Max is already up. He's excited about the trip but forgot to pack his allergy medication. I've added it to your mom's reminder list."
Downstairs, Sarah Chen stands in the kitchen, coffee in hand, as breakfast practically makes itself. The smart cooking system, guided by ARIA, has already started the pancakes. "The batter needed more milk," ARIA had noticed earlier, analyzing the mixture through its sensors. "I've adjusted the recipe accordingly."
Tom, Sarah's husband, walks in looking harried. "ARIA, did you sort out that work issue I mentioned last night?"
"Yes, I analyzed the project data and identified the discrepancy in the financial models. I've sent a detailed report to your team with three potential solutions. Jessica already replied – she prefers option two. Would you like me to walk you through it?"
"Later," Tom says, helping himself to pancakes. "What's our drive looking like?"
"I've mapped the optimal route to Chicago, accounting for current traffic patterns, weather conditions, and your family's typical rest stop preferences. Total drive time is estimated at 6 hours and 42 minutes. I suggest leaving by 8:15 AM to avoid peak traffic around Cleveland. I've also identified three highly-rated restaurants along the route that accommodate Max's peanut allergy. Would you like me to make lunch reservations?"
The family piles into their electric SUV by 8:20 – not bad, considering. As they pull out of the driveway, ARIA transitions seamlessly from the house to the car's systems. The vehicle's AI, which the kids nicknamed SCOUT, takes over the primary interaction.
"Good morning, everyone," SCOUT says. "The car's systems are all optimal. Battery range is 312 miles, more than sufficient for today's journey. I've adjusted the climate controls based on everyone's preferred temperatures. Zara, I've queued up the latest episodes of your favorite podcasts. Max, would you like to continue the audiobook you started last week?"
The first few hours pass smoothly. SCOUT handles most of the driving, though Tom keeps his hands loosely on the wheel, more out of habit than necessity. The AI points out interesting landmarks and shares relevant historical facts, keeping the kids engaged. When Max starts showing signs of restlessness, SCOUT suggests a stop at a park it identified, complete with a playground and clean restrooms.
"There's a coffee shop next door with good reviews," SCOUT adds. "Sarah, they serve that oat milk latte you liked last month in Cincinnati."
During their lunch stop, the restaurant's AI host greets them by name – SCOUT had sent ahead their preferences and dietary restrictions. The AI sommelier suggests a wine that pairs perfectly with Sarah's entrée, while the kitchen AI ensures Max's meal is completely peanut-free.
Back on the road, SCOUT coordinates with other vehicles' AIs to navigate smoothly through a construction zone. When heavy rain hits near Toledo, the car's systems automatically adjust, working in concert with nearby vehicles to maintain safe distances and optimal traction.
As they approach Chicago, SCOUT suggests a slight detour. "There's an amazing sunset view over Lake Michigan from this overlook," it says. "Given your family's interest in photography, I thought you might appreciate it. We'll only add twelve minutes to our arrival time."
The detour proves worth it – the sky is spectacular, and the AI helps Zara adjust her phone's camera settings to capture the perfect shot. It even suggests a clever caption for her social media post.
They reach their hotel just after seven. The building's AI has already adjusted their room's temperature and lighting to their preferences, uploaded their favorite streaming services to the room's entertainment system, and noted Tom's request for extra pillows.
"Would you like me to dim the lights?" ARIA asks, its voice barely a whisper now.
Zara watches the lake-reflected sunset in her enhanced photos fade to darkness as she closes her phone. In the next room, through the wall, she can hear Max quietly asking ARIA about tomorrow's weather, about the height of the Sears Tower, about whether the hotel's AI would let him order ice cream. Their voices blend with the city sounds filtering in from forty stories below – a melody of human and machine, as familiar to her now as her mother's goodnight kiss had been at his age.
She doesn't say goodnight to ARIA. She doesn't need to. The lights soften to nothing, and in that last moment before sleep takes her, Zara realizes she can no longer remember what silence feels like.