Tag: SciFi

New Talk – AI FOoM



I was recently asked to give a talk for the DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION & INNOVATION IN BFSI SUMMIT 2024 in Vienna.

I haven’t done one of these things since Covid, so it was useful to update my priors with regard to the future…
…which is bearing down on us like some laser-eyed, fusion-powered Behemoth!

In this talk, I focus on how science fiction can prepare us for AI FOoM! (Fast Onset of Machine intelligence). A scenario that a minority of AI researchers are concerned about, but which has non-trivial consequences for our species.

Hwwara Hall of Records



40K BCE, Oldest Cave Art at the Hwarra Hall of Records

Sometimes, when I am writing, I know the reader would probably appreciate some visual aid, but I haven’t clarified everything in my mind. I use Photoshop to come up with ideas which might end up as illustrations in the book. But if they don’t, they at least assist me visualising precisely what is happening and, ideally, improve my descriptions.

Concept art for my current work in progress:

Anthropocene, a Hard SciFi, Paleo-Punk, Conspiracy Theory, Murder Mystery, Who Dunnit…

Sketch of Cave Art, thought to depict X. Rahan, H. Anunnalis, H. Neanderthalensis, H. Sapiens.

SkyWhale



Exciting news, folks! My new book is taking shape! It should be out towards the end of this year (or possibly next depending on how distracted I am by the relentless march of craziness!)

One of the locations is a floating vacuum dirigible—SkyWhale. If you’ve read my previous books, you might recognise the concept. It was on the cover of book 3 but from the angle it’s form still fairly ambiguous.

(Cover by the amazing DoFresh)

As we spend so much time there in the new book,I decided to put some effort into designing the SkyWhale properly…

I got to thinking about the aerodynamics. I decided to make the tail like the wings of a glider (sailplane) with high wing-loading and low-drag. I added multiple sets of forward fin/flukes for maneuvering at low speeds. These flatten against the envelope when the vessel is cruising.

 

 

Assuming it’s built with super light materials and nothing inside, it almost looks plausible, right?

Original sketch:

😉