Devices similar to this were a major plot point in the second book of the 'Zones of Thought' sci-fi series by Vernor Vinge[1]. It is a really great series that is often recommended on HN. My favorite thing about the series (as it relates to this story) is the way Vinge writes about about the consequences of uncovering code/programs/hardware that was developed thousands or millions of years in the past. There are so many layers to these ancient programs that you never truly know what you are unleashing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Deepness_in_the_Sky#Localize...