Could a computer take over an entire planet?

The inspiration for my question comes from The Great C by Philip K Dick. To summarize, the Great C is a computer that has taken over a large portion of the planet. It uses proxy agents to keep control by relentlessly patrolling the area and killing anything that gets in its way.

My question is an extension of this idea. Would it be possible for an advanced computer to take over an entire planet? The computer is buried deep underground. It has advanced intelligence. It was once part of a civilization, but that civilization has been destroyed by some type of apocalypse (possibly a nuclear war type scenario). It is not known how it gains the resources necessary to expand or to power itself. Would it even be possible to gain enough energy to power itself and continue expanding?

Would it be advantageous for the computer to spread its material on the ground? I'm thinking things like plastic or circuit boards, essentially altering the landscape to something more favorable to itself. What would be the most favorable type of material for a computer based entity such as this one?

Would it be advantageous for the computer to kill any life form that got in its way? Would it be possible for this spread of control to expand to the entire planet?

posted over 9 years ago

bazola‭

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