Multivac

Multivac is a fictional supercomputer appearing in a series of short stories by science fiction author Isaac Asimov. First introduced in the 1955 story "The Last Question," Multivac is depicted as a vast, complex, and incredibly powerful machine capable of solving enormous computational problems and answering almost any question posed to it. Over the course of Asimov's stories, Multivac evolves from a room-sized device to a planetary, and eventually galactic, entity. Its primary function is to process vast amounts of data and provide answers to humanity's most pressing inquiries, often concerning the universe, humanity's place within it, and the future. Asimov uses Multivac as a narrative device to explore themes of artificial intelligence, the limits of knowledge, humanity's relationship with technology, and the ultimate fate of the universe. The computer's existence often drives the plot, as characters grapple with its capabilities and the profound implications of its answers. While Multivac is a fictional construct, its portrayal has influenced conceptions of advanced computing and artificial intelligence in science fiction.