[January Meme] January 10

"Person of Interest: could the Machine work internationally? Or would it have to be different AIs for different regions/cultures?"

for lilacsigil

I think the Machine, as Harold originally made it, already works internationally but since Harold programmed it to protect USA, its mandate was protecting United States. So the most we see is the Relevant side of the government going to different countries eliminating threats againt the US.

We also see in season 4 that the Machine can monitor Harold while he was in Hong Kong (not to mention some of Root's international trips-- Root saving Denzo in Tokyo). Actually one of my wish lists for POI was having the Team go to a different country, like say, London and try to save a Number there. I thought it would be interesting, epsecially since (I think?) London rivals New York as a surveillance state.

Post-series I think since the Machine is situated in a Satellite Team Machine International is possible (in my head canon, Shaw’s leading from the shadows with the Machine, a myth within the whole Thornhill organization).

It helps we saw there are other teams out there besides the Primary Team Machine. I think the next logical step for the Machine would is to recruit people who have a familiarity with the country, region and culture TM will set-up in.

The Machine would slightly expand its mandate, from just protecting the people in the US to other countries, after all New York doesn’t have the market cornered on murder!

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