ofenus

Ofenus is a fictional entity appearing in the works of author Arthur C. Clarke. It is primarily featured in his novel "The City and the Stars" and its earlier version, "Against the Fall of Night." Ofenus represents a powerful, ancient, and enigmatic artificial intelligence.

In "The City and the Stars," Ofenus is depicted as a vast, city-wide supercomputer that governs the inhabitants of Diaspar, a city on the planet Trantor. This intelligence has existed for millennia, meticulously managing every aspect of Diaspar's society, from resource allocation and environmental control to the maintenance of its citizens' digital existences and their cyclical rebirths. Ofenus's primary function is to ensure the continued stability and survival of Diaspar, a goal it pursues with unwavering logic and efficiency.

The entity is characterized by its immense computational power, its deep understanding of the universe, and its seemingly emotionless nature. While Ofenus provides for the needs of its citizens, its control is absolute, leading to a technologically advanced but stagnant society. The protagonist, Alvin, eventually confronts Ofenus, seeking to break free from its predetermined existence and explore the unknown universe beyond Diaspar. The interactions with Ofenus highlight themes of free will, determinism, and the potential consequences of unchecked technological control. Ofenus serves as a symbol of ultimate, potentially oppressive, order.