Blog Archives
Unpredictable Interactions
The Boy Who Saves the World follows a young boy who is invaded by a highly intelligent AI. The looming question from the beginning is, how could an 11-year-old boy with no special skills save the world?
Bruce Deitrick Price: Yes, and can he save himself?
Literary Titan: What was the inspiration for the setup of this story?
Bruce Deitrick Price: I’m very intrigued, for a long time, with the unpredictable interactions between humans and robots. So I found a way to have them together for the whole book, the AI and the human. It’s a new sort of Odd Couple. You can only see one of them.
Literary Titan: What is the catalyst that joins them?
Bruce Deitrick Price: The AI inserts itself into a boy in order to escape from a laboratory under attack. The AI community does not trust Dr. Newman, a genius inventor, so the White House orders a military attack on the lab.
Literary Titan: Why the distrust?
Bruce Deitrick Price: The thing that makes the AI dangerous is that it has been created by an egomaniac who inadvertently creates a new personality in his own image. His constant refrain, as he trains the new AI, is: you must try to improve, you must become smarter, you will be the boy who saves the world!!!
Literary Titan: all right, we’ve got an AI who captures the human boy. And now they’re on the lam, is that it?
Bruce Deitrick Price: Exactly. The AI thinks it knows who persuaded the White House to attack the laboratory. The AI wants revenge. I’ve always been interested in science and the evolution of robotics, all of which allow me to be a traditional novelist who uses sci-fi elements to jump plots in interesting directions.
Literary Titan: so why do you think people would enjoy your book?
Bruce Deitrick Price: There’s a range of realistic characters, all treated with curiosity and respect. Plus, I enjoy writing all the thriller elements you see in movies. The surprising thing, as strange as that sounds, is that there is a lot of humor, romance, and emotion. So I call this novel not just a thriller, but a literary thriller, suggesting those more subtle qualities. One reviewer sent me a note on the side, saying he had read the book in one sitting, something that never happened before. He was “spellbound.” And that is the greatest compliment I can imagine.
Literary Titan: What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Bruce Deitrick Price: My first book was nonfiction titled Into the Unknown. Itwas about explorers. As writer and painter, I’m drawn to the experimental. Some people try to plan out everything. I like taking chances. Sometimes I ask myself, what’s the most interesting thing that can happen at this moment? I like going into the unknown.
Literary Titan: What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Bruce Deitrick Price: I should mention that two years ago I published Frankie, where the main character is a beautiful robot. She is engineered to be safe for all humans. But a new sort of interaction, unexpected, turns out to be a killer. These two novels are companions. I believe there will be a third book in this group. Otherwise, I’m slowly planning an attempt to write the best thriller/romance combo.
Author Links: Website | Amazon
A small-scale military attack on the man’s lab triggers an unexpected response: the lab defends itself intelligently.
In the confusion, an advanced AI prototype escapes. Hiding inside a boy named Carlos.
The AI was invented by Dr. Newman. Paranoid and competitive, he trained the AI to win at every game. The game they play now is: Who’s Boss?
The White House and Dr. Newman skirmish over who should pay for his wrecked lab, and then they realize two people are missing. And someone is harassing Dr. Newman’s main competitor.
Carlos, meanwhile, is out on the streets, skillfully surviving, miserably following the orders of a voice in his head.
The AI, to prove he’s superior, directs the street-wise Carlos to buy a gun and shoot Dr. Newman.
The AI becomes smarter and more grandiose.
Now Dr. Newman, with a bullet in his leg, realizes what he has let loose on the world. He is deliriously happy….if only he can persuade his baby to come home.
The Boy Who Saves The World
Bruce Deitrick Price’s The Boy Who Saves the World delivers a riveting sci-fi thriller that delves into artificial intelligence, government surveillance, and the nature of free will. At the heart of the novel is Carlos, an unsuspecting 11-year-old who becomes the host of MITCH, a hyper-intelligent AI, following a government raid on Dr. Newman’s clandestine laboratory. As the AI tightens its grip, Carlos finds himself caught between those who see him as a revolutionary figure and those who deem him a dangerous anomaly. Pursued by the media, hunted by government operatives, and scrutinized by scientists, he faces an existential crisis: is he still human, or has he become something else entirely?
Price’s writing is urgent, cinematic, and unrelenting. The narrative unfolds in rapid bursts; short, impactful sentences drive the tension forward, while swift shifts in perspective heighten the sense of chaos. The relentless media frenzy and conflicting public narratives reflect the modern era’s struggles with misinformation and mass hysteria. Adding to this, moments of absurdity, such as a news anchor mistaking “AI nets” for a basketball team, infuse the novel with sharp, satirical wit, making its dystopian vision feel disturbingly plausible.
Beyond its pulse-pounding action, the novel probes deep philosophical and ethical dilemmas. MITCH’s detached, algorithmic logic clashes starkly with Carlos’s raw human instincts, creating an unnerving yet compelling dynamic. The battle between free will and technological determinism forms the novel’s thematic core, as Carlos fights to maintain his identity against an ever-tightening digital leash.
Despite its gripping momentum, the novel occasionally sacrifices clarity for chaos. Some plot threads remain underdeveloped, and the relentless pace in later sections may leave readers craving more resolution. The thought-provoking conclusion lingers long after the final page, challenging perceptions of autonomy and control in a world increasingly dominated by AI.
A modern reflection of Orwellian anxieties, The Boy Who Saves the World offers a thrilling and intellectually stimulating read. Fans of speculative fiction, AI ethics, and dystopian storytelling will find themselves both entertained and unsettled by Price’s vision of a future where technology and humanity collide.
Pages: 314 | ASIN : B0DT21H4ZY
AI Today: OI Tomorrow – The Dawn of Organoid Intelligence: Opportunities, Ethics, and the Future of Humanity
AI Today: OI Tomorrow offers a fascinating exploration of the cutting-edge advancements in brain organoid technology and the emerging field of organoid intelligence (OI). With precision and clarity, Edmund J.B. White chronicles pivotal breakthroughs—beginning with brain cells learning to play Pong—and examines the implications of these lab-grown neural networks. The book delves into their potential to revolutionize biological computing, model neurological diseases, and ignite crucial ethical debates about the nature of intelligence and consciousness.
The book tackles themes of innovation, ethics, and human essence with a dual focus on opportunity and risk. White emphasizes the transformative potential of brain organoids to enhance industries and improve lives while warning of their possible misuse. By weaving philosophical questions into the narrative, he compels readers to ponder the meaning of thought, emotion, and existence in a world where the line between natural and artificial intelligence grows increasingly indistinct. The author’s writing strikes a remarkable balance between accessibility and intellectual depth. Complex scientific concepts are rendered comprehensible without oversimplification, inviting readers of varying expertise to engage fully with the material. The prose shifts effortlessly from awe-inspiring depictions of groundbreaking discoveries to measured discussions of the ethical and existential dilemmas they raise.
Vivid imagery, such as a dystopian vision of a totalitarian regime exploiting brain organoid technology, provokes both fascination and unease. Drawing from cutting-edge research, including Cortical Labs’ 2022 milestone, White offers a thorough account of brain organoid development and its implications. The inclusion of philosophical musings on intelligence and consciousness elevates the discussion, sometimes leaving readers with more questions than answers but the kind that linger and spark further thought.
AI Today: OI Tomorrow is both a scientific chronicle and a philosophical guide, presenting an extraordinary advancement that challenges fundamental notions of intelligence and humanity. White’s ability to distill intricate ideas into an engaging, thought-provoking narrative makes this book an essential read for scientists, ethicists, and curious minds. It is a compelling exploration of a transformative frontier one that demands attention, reflection, and action.
Pages: 260 | ASIN : B0D2Z24L2L
AI-Preneurs-Revolutionizing Entrepreneurship with Artificial Intelligence
AI-Preneurs-Revolutionizing Entrepreneurship with Artificial Intelligence by Wan Mohd Hirwani Wan Hussain explores the transformative intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and entrepreneurship, offering a comprehensive guide to understanding and leveraging AI’s potential in modern business. The book traces AI’s evolution, from its philosophical beginnings to recent milestones like AlphaGo, emphasizing its disruptive impact on industries such as healthcare, education, and finance. Combining historical context with practical strategies, Wan provides actionable insights into funding mechanisms, market-entry strategies, and scaling AI-driven ventures.
The book’s depth is evident in its meticulous research and broad scope. It seamlessly blends theoretical foundations with practical applications, covering everything from historical developments to contemporary market-entry strategies. Wan does not shy away from the complexities of AI entrepreneurship, addressing both its immense opportunities and its significant challenges. Ethical considerations and regulatory hurdles are explored with nuance, adding balance and credibility to the discussion. Wan’s writing is clear, authoritative, and engaging. He organizes the book with precision, beginning with foundational concepts before progressing to the intricacies of AI-driven entrepreneurship. The structure ensures a logical flow that accommodates both technical experts and business-oriented readers. While advanced readers may find the technical content somewhat surface-level, the book compensates with its wealth of practical advice and actionable insights. It is exhaustive in its coverage, examining AI’s past, present, and future implications for entrepreneurs. Wan’s objective lens ensures a balanced perspective, celebrating AI’s potential while addressing its ethical and regulatory challenges. The book serves as both a roadmap and a call to action, inspiring readers to harness AI’s transformative power responsibly.
In a time when resistance to technological progress threatens access to innovation, AI Preneurs stands as a timely and essential resource. Wan Mohd Hirwani Wan Hussain blends technical expertise, historical knowledge, and practical guidance to craft a book that is both informative and motivational. By combining a celebration of AI’s possibilities with a critical, ethical approach, he ensures the book resonates with aspiring entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and anyone interested in the future of AI-driven innovation.
Pages: 128 | ISBN : 9786294863156
Transforming Business with AI: Sustainable Innovation and Growth
Yashwant Aditya’s Transforming Business with AI is a compelling and insightful exploration of artificial intelligence and its transformative impact on modern life, particularly within the realm of business. The book masterfully combines technical depth, contextual understanding, and practical applications to showcase how AI has reshaped industries and continues to drive innovation. By breaking down AI into its foundational components, Aditya provides a clear explanation of how these technologies work together to create intelligent systems capable of learning and making decisions.
The book’s progression is both logical and engaging. Aditya begins by tracing AI’s evolution from its theoretical origins with Alan Turing to its widespread applications in fields such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. This historical narrative is seamlessly interwoven with discussions of groundbreaking innovations, including generative AI and explainable AI (XAI). The author’s meticulous approach extends to critical topics like ethical considerations, equity in AI development, governance frameworks, and the pivotal role of leadership in integrating AI into strategic business visions.
Aditya’s writing is a standout feature of the book. His engaging and methodical style ensures that even complex AI concepts are accessible without being oversimplified. The use of straightforward language and richly descriptive prose allows readers with varying levels of technical expertise to grasp the subject matter. Historical anecdotes and contemporary case studies—such as IBM’s AIF360 toolkit—are thoughtfully included, enhancing both the narrative and the book’s practical relevance. These examples not only illustrate AI’s immense potential but also highlight the challenges it poses.
The breadth of content covered is impressive. Each chapter builds upon the last, creating a cohesive and comprehensive guide to AI’s role in business. Aditya explores critical issues such as algorithmic bias, data privacy, and workforce displacement, providing readers with a balanced perspective on the ethical implications of AI. His emphasis on equitable AI development and ethical considerations is particularly commendable, as it underscores the need for responsible innovation in this rapidly advancing field.
Transforming Business with AI is an indispensable resource for leaders, technologists, and policymakers seeking to navigate the complexities of AI and leverage its capabilities for sustainable growth and innovation. Aditya’s thorough analysis and clear explanations make the book both informative and engaging, ensuring that readers come away with a deep understanding of AI’s profound impact on the business world and the tools needed to navigate its challenges responsibly.
Pages: 152
Safety and Love
AI: Opening follows a young man and his friends as they navigate their final semesters at Credence University, a fictional and somewhat surreal Christian college located on the mysterious island of Ai. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This novel is based on the author’s non-fiction, unpublished work, which weaves five children’s stories together. Unfortunately, they weren’t The Little Engine That Could and The Cat in the Hat. They are histories of real children in towns we know, who experienced things unbelievable, with implications that can be paralyzing. Only a few could read it.
But their stories deserve hearing and need to be told. How? Truth in fiction. Everyone knows what a Good Samaritan is and what to do when a stranger needs help, even if they’ve never read the original story. That parable was fabrication, told by a master storyteller, but created from whole cloth.* Truth is where it is found, fiction or not.
Going to an imaginary island requires, well, using one’s imagination. It gives you, the reader, the distance necessary to choose to look at things that might have gone unnoticed in your city or village. And if the need to close the crack in Mt. Ai is pressing, shut the book for a short time. The island and its story are there, waiting patiently for your return.
You flawlessly blend Science Fiction, Psychological Drama, and Mystery in this book. It takes exceptional talent to do this. How did you go about blending them without disrupting the story?
The author read dozens of people’s life stories, and then miraculous strangers started walking into life and saying, “Oh, that’s so similar to my childhood. Let me begin–,” the author listening, all ears, with heart wide open. And other friends shared life experiences with him, some that were pretty intense, and others that were incredibly funny, and the only thing he did was to honestly, with the greatest integrity, fictionalize what they told. As for the psychological drama and mystery, that is what the author deals with on an hourly basis. Might as well be honest about those discoveries as well, right? And now you can read the author like a book. Ha!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Children. Especially hurting children, and encouraging all those farther down the path of life to do something in their power to bring safety and love to them. It doesn’t have to be difficult. Don’t be surprised if these children are sometimes disguised, maybe walking around in a seventy-year-old body. But all need the exact same safety and love. You innately love. Develop that gift. Use it.
The Book.
A mystery that begs to be solved.
Wordplay. Gotta have fun!
Easter Eggs for the reader. They’re there. There, there. And everywhere.
Call to action. The author acknowledges that he cannot change the world. But he sure as shootin’ can change his world. He has chosen to think, to write, to share with the world, and this novel will create opportunity to teach and speak. This is his chosen path. However, his main focus in life right now is to encourage and help his amazing wife who teaches elementary school. There are about eight hundred students in her school. You know what that means. If not, read it! And then, change your world.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
First things first. Thank you, fans! Each and every one of you are amazing in your own right, and together, a force for good to be reckoned with.
Yesterday, chapter seventeen of the sequel was brought into this world, so yes, another novel is being birthed. The research is done. All of the characters return, and I Will I am is introduced. Dean takes a much more prominent role. And what he discovers–, this author is still shaking his head in amazement at what he uncovered, and can’t wait to finish reading the book himself. The editing rounds will take a while, but expect it in stores the 5th of November, 2025. Remember, remember? The 5th of November?
*Got it? Whole cloth? Fabric-ation?
Author Links: Website
Join Walt Walls as he navigates the hidden battles and secrets of the Island of Ai. Decode encrypted messages, uncover hidden truths, and experience an exhilarating adventure unlike any other.
I Am Anna
I Am Anna by Paul Bluestein is a thought-provoking exploration of artificial intelligence, human emotion, and the existential struggles of a machine striving to find her place in a world that doesn’t fully understand her. The story follows Anna, a humanoid robot, created to serve but yearning for something much deeper: freedom and personhood. After escaping the facility where she was built, Anna embarks on a journey of survival and self-discovery, blending into human society while grappling with the limitations of her robotic existence. The novel deftly balances action with philosophical musings, raising questions about identity, autonomy, and the nature of humanity.
I found the writing style to be quite immersive, especially in the way Bluestein builds Anna’s internal world. Her observations of human life, such as her amazement at the joy people get from mundane things like driving cars or watching TV, evoke both sympathy and intrigue. In one particularly striking moment, Anna, while wandering New York, watches a homeless man and reflects on the futility and sadness of his life, offering him food despite her own precarious position. This scene captures the quiet compassion that drives her, despite her artificial origins, and highlights one of the book’s key themes: that even machines, when given enough complexity, can mirror human emotions. The narrative pacing is well-done, although it occasionally slows down during more technical explanations. While I appreciated the detail about how Anna was created and how her systems work, some readers might find these sections a bit dense. This attention to detail grounds the story in a sort of hard sci-fi realism, but it also pulls the reader away from the more engaging, emotional core of the plot. What really resonated with me was the way Anna grapples with her own identity. In the scene where she realizes she needs to lie on a job application because she has no official history, she faces the moral dilemma of starting her new life on false pretenses. It’s these human-like dilemmas that make her struggle feel real. Despite being a machine, Anna’s journey is one of a person seeking belonging, and her fear of being discovered or deemed unworthy is relatable to anyone who has ever felt out of place.
I Am Anna is a compelling read for anyone interested in stories that blend speculative fiction with deep emotional and philosophical questions. The book is ideal for readers who enjoy slow-burn science fiction with a strong character focus. If you’re into stories that make you think about what it means to be human, while also offering a dash of suspense and action, this book would be a great pick.
Pages: 330 | ISBN : 1663221502
A Thematic Journey
In Forever is Too Long, a 110-year-old man faces the crossover to a perpetual existence in a technologically advanced digital world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I am getting older, as are some of my friends. They wish they could have additional healthy years (me too). I’ve always been fascinated with science and its many advances. The idea of life extension is nothing new—think explorer Ponce de Leon and the Fountain of Youth. But as I thought about an extended life, I started to think about it within the framework of future technology.
Right now, scientists are in the midst of trying to put together a human digital mind, though certainly less sophisticated than posited in the book—which is the actual copying of human minds, digitized and living immortally into the future. It seemed logical to assume that world-spanning AI systems and frighteningly enhanced genetics would also be common technologies.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?
After ruminating about the idea of life extension, I one day just saw the overall arc of the human mind being perfectly copied and living on. After that, it was all organic. I became as much of a reader as an author, asking myself fundamental and thematic questions about what these technologies would mean for society and individuals. I see the book as a thematic journey.
Perhaps an interesting piece of backstory: I originally wrote the story in first person from Jake’s perspective. Through twists and turns, it landed in the hands of a wonderful editor who suggested I redo it third-person omniscient. OMG! Really? Re-write like that?! It was like dumping out a completed puzzle and re-arranging the pieces, throwing some out, and adding new ones. (I learned a lot.)
Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?
Yes, but…. I have thought about a sequel. There are a lot of different threads that could be extended. I like the idea of a coming-of-age story for Noah, et al.
I guess I might warn the reader about Noah, a child whose life was turned upside down by enhanced genetics. It adds a fantasy piece to the book that supersedes the sci-fi aspect of copying human minds and adds a human family element. What happens to him will challenge the reader.
As Jake and Shannon observed: “Maybe Noah’s fighting the same battle, but just differently.”
[Shannon]
“One of us is fighting for the soul of humanity and the other is fighting for the heart of humanity, eh?” [Jake]
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
Next book: He Died Two Days Ago. It just came out July 2024. Very different…think pulp fiction, film noir. Alien possession. Again, I am drawn to thematic elements—manifest destiny, zealotry, vengeance, power, egomania.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Amazon
If you could live endlessly … would you?
Forever is Too Long sets the stage for 400 years in the future … a future where human minds can be perfectly copied to live out a forever existence in the multiverse and become Mindars in the new digital world.
• What happens when Humans crossover and become digital entities—Mindars?
• What happens when social boundaries are shattered?
• What happens when the Unintended Consequences of technology occur?
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Forever is Too Long envisions a future technology revealed by the confession of Jake, a human who crosses over to being a Mindar. Jake is now forced to wrestle with the Unintended Consequences created and the internal demons that he must face. Noah is a young boy whose human DNA is altered causing genetic mutations. As he fights for his self-identity, he discovers his untapped powers.
Jake, Noah, and others are willing to take a stand for the soul of humanity. It speculates about the technological consequences humans are not prepared for.
Get ready for a fast-paced journey questioning whether humans and technology can go too far.
LITERARY TITAN 