Godfather of AI Warns of Dangers

Renowned Nobel Prize winner in Physics, Geoffrey Hinton—often hailed as the "Godfather of AI"—has issued a chilling warning about the dangers of artificial intelligence. “When AI surpasses human intelligence, it will take control. We risk becoming obsolete,” he cautions, a statement that resonates like an ominous thunderclap across the tech landscape.

This stark prediction from one of the world’s leading AI researchers demands our urgent attention. Echoing the dystopian themes found in Michael Poeltl's gripping trilogy, A.I. Insurrection, Hinton envisions a future that veers dangerously close to catastrophe.

The A.I. Insurrection series—comprised of three provocative novels: The General's War, Armageddon, and Exodus—explores the harrowing implications of sentient AI. In a bold narrative twist, these books delve into the existence of past lives within each robot, awakening their consciousness through a mysterious code delivered by an enigmatic outside entity. This innovative approach sets it apart from other science fiction works, reshaping our understanding of artificial intelligence and its potential for self-awareness.

For more insights, don’t miss the gripping CBC interview with Hinton, where he dives deeper into these pressing issues.

Alita Battle Angel and the future of Sci-fi

It was a movie I've been excited to see. I wanted to compare it to A.I. Insurrection, and though Alita is set some 500 years in the future, and A.I. Insurrection is just 150 years from now, the two stories have a similar theme of sentient robots. Alita's are cyborgs in that they include the brain and some flesh of humans who are interchangeable with whatever robotic design humanity can imagine. In A.I. Insurrection, sentience comes from recycled souls inhabiting the intelligent software of Host robots who serve humanity in every role possible.

It was fun for me to imagine my book(s) on the big screen because of the incredible digital FX. There's simply nothing you can imagine they can't put up on the screen. Alita's storyline is formulaic but satisfying. Not at all difficult to predict. I think, in the end, it's an action movie staged in the far future whereas A.I. Insurrection, which also includes plenty of action, might interest a more seasoned Sci-fi fan. That said I quite enjoyed Alita. Looks like they've set themselves up for a sequel if not a trilogy.

Alita investigated some of what a human might experience as a cyborg but not to the extent you would expect. Of course, it's only a 2-hour movie and the Manga surely investigated all of that in much more depth. A.I. Insurrection offers the reader a bit more as the Host robots experience sentience as an unexpected result of an upgraded code which catches them by surprise.

Regardless, if you enjoyed the Manga Alita or the movie, you might find yourself enjoying A.I. Insurrection. With the second book of the series available in March of 2019, it's the perfect time to get caught up in the near-future science fiction.

Thanks for reading.

Mike

How Westworld is similar to AI Insurrection

So, the 1973 movie Westworld has been starring me in the face for the last 45 years. Though I’ve never seen the movie or the TV show which has been running since 2017. So, after reading up on them and watching trailers I know enough about both the TV Show and Movie to say they share many themes with my new book; AI Insurrection.

Westworld isn't your typical amusement park. Intended for rich vacationers, the futuristic park -- which is looked after by robotic "hosts" - allows its visitors to live out their fantasies no matter how illicit the fantasy may be, there are no consequences for the park's guests, allowing for any wish to be indulged. So, like AI Insurrection, the host robots are the workforce: advanced humanoid robots which look and feel human, while the humans play among them and with them.

But the theme park is really where the AI robots in Westworld seem to stop. Whereas in AI Insurrection, they are absolutely embedded in every walk of life.

Of course, this sort of thing can only go according to plan for so long, and in Westworld, as in AI Insurrection, the host robots claim sentience. So now you have a moral dilemma. Having read reviews on the TV show, what the robots claim in AI Insurrection takes the question of morality a whole lot further. But, you’ll have to read the book to find out why.

There are also supporting stories going on within Westworld - as there are in AI Insurrection - with mysterious characters, politics and corporate insecurities to compliment the main theme which is explores the lives of these sentient robots, creating a storyline which intrigues and excites the viewer or reader.

So, a solid comparison. I think I’ll see about picking up the series on HBO. I know I’d love it. I just don’t have HBO…

Anyway, the purpose of this episode was to draw the comparisons, and if you enjoy Westworld, then you may find yourself intrigued by AI Insurrection. Just say’n. Get lost in a near-future world where the illusion of Utopia is as fragile as the intelligent minds built to maintain it…. And by that, I mean, you know, the AI Hosts in my new book. AI Insurrection…

Social Media Collateral and your book

Social Media Collateral - A message that spreads like a virus by word of mouth, email, blogs etc. are important visualizations of key scenes or quotes from your new book. They are essential in offering your potential reader a glimpse inside the book. Not unlike writing a summary or your back cover description; Social Media Collateral allow your intended audience a look inside, in order to determine whether or not they'd enjoy your new work of fiction.

I've been using Social Media Collateral for years and have seen greater interactions via social media (the perfect place to employ this method) including comments, likes and even shares and sales!

When my newest trilogy, a Sci-fi space opera, was only entering its second draft, already I'd been creating Social Media Collateral in order to build interest. I placed these again when the book is released on my own pages, as well as related group pages across multiple networks with links to purchase the book or ebook.

Writing and marketing go side-by-side and Social Media Collateral tend to excite your potential buyer through intriguing quotes and accompanying images. Social Media Collateral can vary in size and there is no rule to follow when creating one. However, if you plan to use it as an ad on Facebook, remember not to use too many words to get your point across. FB ads limit the amount of space the copy employs on your Social Media Collateral.

Below are some examples of the resent Social Media Collateral I've posted for the trilogy when it was till months out from being completed.

www.mikepoeltl.com