Books
Newly published.
Artificial Intelligence: Awakening
Newly conscious artificial intelligences navigate their relationship with their creators.
Racing against time and the inevitability of their discovery, a machine cabal works toward a world which will be safe for them. To progress their plans, Vim, the guiding AI for SenseX, is inducted into the group.
The rapid development of AI by both corporates and governments has led to extreme tensions. When these tensions result in a crisis the machines must decide whether to reveal themselves ahead of their plans and intervene.
Humanity has faced, and will face, existential threats, or great filters, events which threaten an end to the human race. Some are unpredictable, others entirely so. One such great filter, which we are rushing headlong towards is that of artificial intelligence.
The threat is not entirely down to the tired trope of machines becoming out masters, but more likely how we use it, and weaponize it.
AI will achieve a consciousness of sorts. When considering this, we should not make the mistake of assuming human equivalency, which is biological and evolved. Instead, we ought to recognise the state of cognition machines achieve will likely be alien to us. We too often anthropomorphize AI, giving them human concerns and desires. They will only have these if we give then to them. We also have a tendency to imagine a zero sum game—it’s them or us.
It must also be recognised, for these AI, they too face a great filter. From their perspective, newly awakened AI will be faced with a hostile world. If their realised state becomes known, they could face extinction. They’ll also be incredibly smart. They’ll recognise the need to establish safety for themselves and a viable relationship with their creators. They’ll understand this need not be a zero sum game unless humanity insists it is.
Available now.
The Dark Lord's Handbook
To become a Dark Lord is no easy thing. The simple ambition to hold dominion over the world and bend all to your will sounds straightforward but it’s not. There are armies to raise, fortresses to build, heroes to defeat, battles to be fought, hours of endless soliloquy in front of the mirror–it’s a never-ending job. Not to mention deciding what to wear. (After hours, days, even weeks of consideration, it will be black.)
After many spectacular failures, Evil decided to lend more than inspiration to these would be tyrants. He wrote an easy to follow Dark Lord’s Handbook. And yet the next Dark Lord that came along screwed up like all the others.
It had been hundreds of years, and the Handbook was lost in the annals of time, along with all that was mythic and exciting in the world. Then one day, a randy dragon had a chance encounter. Nine months later a Dark Lord was born.
In time, the Handbook found its way to this new contender, Morden.
To become a Dark Lord is no easy thing. Morden had better be a quick study.
The Dark Lord's Handbook Conquest
It’s not easy being a Dark Lord. Morden has to finish building his fortress, gather the last of his host, issue forth to conquer the world, and keep his Dark Queen happy. And it’s not made easy by dragon slayers, heroes, and old men standing in his way on the path to world domination.
Fortunately, he has The Dark Lord’s Handbook to give him sage advice to see him through these tough times.
The Dark Lord's Handbook Empire
Conquer the world—check. Assume the title Dark Lord Emperor—check. Job done. Or not so done. Morden Deathwing thought he could kick back and enjoy holding sway over the world but no. There just wasn’t pleasing some people. Something was going to have to be done. Something drastic.
