Re: Timeline with sentient androids?
I say put superior food crops in Africa. Let industrial civilization advance there due to a larger population base, perhaps centuries earlier than OTL.
Or, add a philosopher to ancient China at some point in the last couple thousand years. Give him some clever ideas about crude mechanical computers that others can build on, and that can come to make electrical ones decades earlier than OTL.
Or, say Babbage gets his funding and build a crude mechanical computer in the early 1800s. This develops the principles of general computing rather early, and allows for relay-based electrical computers by the turn of the century. A good 50 years head start should be plenty to have semi-humanlike AI by the present day.
Or have your present day be 2030 and be optimistic.
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