Jiangshi, sometimes spelled Jiangshe, are an artificially-created humanoid mechanical species.

Jiangshi are typically humanoid, with grey flexible skin in some areas, such as the face, and metallic carapace elements in others. They have large glowing eyes, which can be dimmed when stealth is required, as well as an array of additional senses in various spectra. Although they lack the pure processing power of starship or installation AIs, they are highly intelligent with excellent reflexes. Jiangshi are strong and resilient thanks to their mechanical nature, and have self-repair capabilities. Their onboard fusion power supply is long-lasting, and can refuel in the field from ambient elements.

Although usually similar in shape and proportions to humans, Jiangshi can be built larger or smaller, and can have additional limbs of varying kinds.

Jiangshi can reproduce, like other AIs, by creating a modified duplicate of their own mind-state. It is usually considered sensible to accept input from at least one other mind during this process, to avoid self-reinforcing flaws. Since AI minds are usually transferrable between storage media, it is possible for a Jiangshi mind to be transplanted into a more powerful system and effectively become a higher-grade AI, although this is uncommon. It is also possible for the reverse to occur, although this is even more uncommon.

The Jiangshi program originated at Eridani Systems, Inc. during the League Era. The project was intended to develop an improved descendant of existing combat Automatics, which would be more human-like, more independently intelligent, and so more versatile.

The Galactic Defense League military did not support the program, and as a result, development continued at a slow pace, with priority given to less expensive projects.

When the Andromeda Alliance began organising and preparing for war in the late 4300s, ESI was one of the corporations to give them clandestine support. As part of this arrangement, the Andromeda Alliance provided new funding for the Jiangshi program. Development accelerated, and the scope of the program expanded: rather than simply improving the autonomy of the limited automatic mind, the Jiangshi would be created with fully intelligent self-aware minds, smaller cousins of the full-scale AIs which were then being fitted to starships and large installations.

Creating soldiers with this new level of intelligence raised some ethical concerns. Unlike automatics, Jiangshi would not be able to be hard-coded with command directives, at least not without violating numerous codes of ethics on the part of the developers. However, the Alliance leaders recognised the need for the Jiangshi as a war asset against the GDL's superior resources.

The ultimate solution was this: the Jiangshi would all be created with the same underlying ethical principles of their own, based on the values of fairness and community which the Andromeda Alliance itself was created to protect. Then, upon first activation, they would be informed of the current state of the world, and offered a deal - after the war, they would be free citizens. Until then, it would be their individual choice to spend their time either in storage, or fighting for the Alliance. The Alliance gambled that on the basis of the information given, most Jiangshi would choose to fight, and in the end, they were right.

Despite the new resources given to the program, there were still difficulties designing such a complex AI system in what was, at the time, a very small form factor. The first Jiangshi units were ready by the start of the War, but mass production was slow to ramp up. The original intention had been for fully mechanised warships - AI-commanded, Jiangshi-crewed - to gradually take over the bulk of the war effort, but it quickly became clear that this would not be possible.

By the time of the climactic Battle of Sargasso in 4406, AI warships made up only a tiny fraction of the Alliance fleet, and were used only for emergencies and special operations. Nevertheless, they and their Jiangshi marines had made a dramatic impact and established a fearsome reputation.

Following the Alliance victory in the War, the newly-formed Core Governance kept to its word, and gave the Jiangshi full free citizenship. Many demobilised and became civilians in the post-War world. However, just as many chose to remain in Fleet service, staying with the AI warships with which they had formed close bonds.

Fleet Jiangshi would fight on the frontlines of the subsequent war against the Cossus Incursia, acting as shock troops and hostile-environment specialists.

Like other AIs, the Jiangshi developed their own reproductive techniques following the War, and gradually became a decently-sized minority population throughout the Core Governance.

By the time of the Quiet Era, Jiangshi were still present throughout the various states, living as ordinary citizens. The original Jiangshi form, optimised for living in armour, had been embellished with various decorative elements, often unique to the individual.

With their strong ethical codes and physical resilience, Jiangshi often found positions of authority, including as Knights of Cayd Rock.