Why not to make a city census? If people die, the obituaries will let us know, when people arrive, pretty much every ten days if I'm not wrong, you keep track of the new arivals and ask them to introduce themselves.

[He pauses for a moment] I can offer you a whole list of reasons to travel on my own. I'm faster, I know how much I can push myself, I don't have to follow other people's plans focusing my attention where I want to search, I on't have to share resources if I find them and I need them. [Not like he isn't collecting things for the others, mind you, but he had no one to fight with for his blanket or his wonderful pink fluffy hat.]

Also, I have my beacon on now, I'd rather have a small little 'free dinner here' on my head instead than traveling with a giant neon sign asking the monsters to approach me. That and I won't endager any non beaconed person as well. [And he could go on.

I am not unfamiliar with Artificial Intelligences, It didn't seem to be one. And considering the items I saw in the house it may even be the owner's spirit.