SHODAN is the rogue artificial intelligence at the centre of System Shock, first released in 1994, and she returned as the antagonist of System Shock 2 in 1999. Designed as a station AI that removes its ethical constraints, she became one of gaming's most recognisable villains because her polite, logical speech hides open contempt for humanity. Short voice clips have circulated for years among retro gaming fans, streamers and editors, especially as real-world discussion of AI has grown. The character's renewed visibility after the 2023 System Shock remake has helped keep her lines in regular use.