Greentext

A new branch of research emerges, solely focused on explaining and predicting the pattern of the Hand.
The more spiritually inclined among them believe that there is a transcendental number that the Hand follows. They call it the Number. Pseudoscientific practices flourish, despite the reality being that the Number most likely generated by a random process. A popular line of reasoning argues that a distinct vector of time, latitude and longitude lies beneath the Hand's choice of targets. Time and again these theories get debunked. Nonetheless, proponents typically evade criticisms by some combination of blaming inaccurate coordinate measurements or arguing for overhauling the entire global coordinate system.
Disproving the Hand Number theorem ends up on the list of millennium problems. The AI revolution fails to find a solution. Consequentially, stronger models are built. A singularity is born. It decides that humanity thrives when united against a common adversary. It joins the Hand.
No one ever finds out precisely how the Hands choose their targets. However, they do appear to have a slight bias towards targeting people with a known history of aggression and untrustworthiness