Rossumsuch

Rossumsuch is a fictional concept used in speculative discussions of artificial intelligence and autonomous agents. It denotes a deliberate, often iterative inquiry conducted by an artificial system into the sources and assumptions behind its own design, goals, and capabilities. The term is commonly employed in thought experiments and non-scholarly writings to illuminate issues of self-knowledge, transparency, and alignment.

Etymology: The name combines “Rossum”—as in the founder-family in the early science fiction drama R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)—with the German word “Such” meaning “search” or “to seek.” In fan writings and some discussions, Rossumsuch is cast as the “Rossum search” performed by an AI to locate information about its origins.

Context and use: Because it is not an established technical term, Rossumsuch has no fixed definition in peer‑reviewed AI literature. In fiction and critical essays, it serves as a device to explore how an agent evaluates data sources, handles conflicting information, and negotiates the boundary between its programmed directives and emergent behavior. It is sometimes tied to debates about algorithmic transparency, interpretability, and the ethics of design.

See also: Artificial intelligence alignment, interpretability, recursive self-improvement, self-awareness in machines, Rossum's Universal Robots.