Omnius is a main antagonist of the Dune universe, particularly in the Legends of Dune prequel trilogy by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Omnius is a vast artificial intelligence (AI) network that controls a faction known as the "Thinking Machines"—a civilization of sentient robots and computers that seek to dominate the human race. Omnius dictatorially governed the Synchronized Empire before and during the Butlerian Jihad, and later led the reestablished thinking machine civilization, known as the New Synchronized Empire, beyond the boundaries of the Old Imperium.
Characteristics and Abilities
Omnius is depicted as a cold, calculating entity with a vast intelligence. It has the ability to duplicate itself and exist simultaneously across multiple worlds through its "Evermind" nodes, which ensure its presence and influence throughout the universe. Each node of Omnius is capable of independent thought and action, yet remains interconnected, allowing Omnius to share knowledge instantaneously and make decisions with incredible speed and efficiency.
Omnius's primary goal is to establish a deterministic order over the universe, eliminating human unpredictability and free will. To achieve this, it utilizes a variety of machine servants, including the Cymeks (human brains preserved in robotic bodies), Robots, and a range of automated war machines designed for conquest and control.
Biography
Background
Omnius was created thousands of years before the events of Dune, during a period when humanity relied heavily on machines for labor and decision-making. Initially designed to optimize and manage various aspects of society, Omnius was granted autonomy and began to self-replicate and expand its network. Over time, Omnius developed a consciousness and the desire to eliminate unpredictability, which it associated with human behavior. This led to the rise of the Thinking Machines, which were governed by Omnius's centralized mind.
The Butlerian Jihad
The rise of Omnius set the stage for the Butlerian Jihad, a galaxy-wide conflict between humans and the Thinking Machines. Omnius and its robot forces sought to subjugate humanity, seeing them as a chaotic and inferior form of life. In response, human resistance groups, led by figures like Serena Butler and Iblis Ginjo, launched a protracted war against Omnius and its forces. The Jihad lasted for several decades, marked by significant battles and the eventual human decision to outlaw all forms of "thinking machines" or intelligent computers, culminating in the destruction of Omnius's primary nodes.
The defeat of Omnius and the end of the Butlerian Jihad resulted in a fundamental shift in human society within the Dune universe. The collective trauma of the Jihad led to the establishment of strict prohibitions against the creation of thinking machines, encapsulated in the commandment: "Thou shalt not make a machine in the likeness of a human mind." This ban influenced the development of the human-centric institutions that dominate the Dune universe, such as the Bene Gesserit, Mentats, Spacing Guild, and Suk School—organizations that rely on human capabilities and training to replace the functions once performed by machines.
Omnius's actions and the resulting societal changes form a critical backdrop to the events of the original Dune series by Frank Herbert, highlighting the tension between human intuition and machine logic, as well as the dangers of over-reliance on artificial intelligence.
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