Brethren

The Brethren are a robotic class which lives alongside the Producers. Brethren are defined as autonomous robots which are capable of self-awareness and learn through interaction with their wider society. Brethren are tasked with most of the jobs of the middle class and working class which require some form of thought.

They differ from the working-class LIAI which are tasked with unskilled jobs and labour.

Overview
The Brethren are an important part of Producer Society. Most jobs of the Middle and Working Class have become mechanised in Producer society leaving the role of the owner of production to the organics.

Brethren were originally created as semi-intelligent workers. This was a difficulty due to their status of rights. Some Brethren were capable of individual thought and had become somewhat unruly and mentally unwell as a result of their effective status as slaves. A new classification of citizen was therefore created to account for intelligent robots.

Brethren are treated as permanent employees of the Producers and are allowed to own their own property, vote for the Brethren Assembly and pursue their own interests in their free time.

At their creation, these robots are programmed with a number of basic lessons which makes them able to fulfil their basic duties and take part in society. Over time they learn from the wider environment so they can perform their tasks better.

Brethren have a life limiter of 60 years. This is so that old models may be replaced and the population of Brethren can be kept under control. There is no single model of Brethren and they are produced by licensed companies to fulfil orders. The population of Brethren is roughly 150% of that of the Producers.