Mindscape AI

The Mindscape AI was the artificial intelligence in Doctor Marina Derex's mindscape program that was designed to test whoever came looking for the clue to the Progenitors' life creation technology. Similar to how the mindscape would take on the form of what the person's neural activity indicated was the most important place in their life, the AI took on the form of the most important person in their life. (DIS: "Labyrinths")

In 3191, Captain Michael Burnham entered the mindscape in search of the clue to the Progenitors' technology and the AI took on the form of Cleveland Booker wearing the robes of an archivist. This was because of Burnham's subconscious desire to make things right with the real Booker, something that she was too afraid to do. The AI was unable to give Burnham anything more than yes or no answers for the most part and couldn't explain the test to Burnham who had to figure it out for herself, warning Burnham that as a security precaution she would die when the mindscape shut down if Burnham failed the test. The AI supported Burnham's attempts to solve the mystery, only to reveal each time to her frustration that it was not the test.

With time running out, Burnham opened up to the AI about her fears of failure and not being a good enough captain, friend and partner which drove her sometimes. Burnham admitted to feeling small, weak, and ashamed because of it and how it had driven her to push the real Booker away. In doing so, Burnham passed the AI's test because she would need to know herself and be able to be honest with herself, especially about the things that were hard to look at, if she was going to be the one to protect the Progenitors' technology. That Burnham could admit those things to herself unlike most people was what let her pass the test, proving that Burnham could be trusted to do the right thing with so much power. The AI told Burnham where to find the last piece of the map in the real world as well as a final secret: how to get through something at her final destination. (DIS: "Labyrinths")

Burnham later revealed that the AI had told her a phrase that she would need to know to get through the final obstacle: "build the shape of the one between the many." This proved to be a clue about how to solve the final puzzle and correctly access the technology's interface. (DIS: "Lagrange Point", "Life, Itself")

The AI was played by David Ajala.