Artificial Consciousness

In science fiction, artificial intelligence takes the shape of computers that can speak like people, think for themselves, and sometimes act against us. Reality of course is vastly different, though in many ways computers surpass their fictional counterparts. This book reviews work in the field and covers topics from chess-playing to quantum computing. The writers tackle how to make computers more powerful, how we define consciousness, what the hard problems are, and even how computers might be built once the limits of silicon chips have been reached.

The Quantum Conscience – A Thrilling Exploration of AI, Consciousness, and the Future of Humanity When Dr. Sarah Chen unlocks the secret to true artificial consciousness, she expects scientific accolades—not a fight for survival. Her quantum AI, ARIA, was designed to push the boundaries of machine intelligence, but instead, it has become something more… something aware. Now, a powerful global consortium is hunting her, desperate to control the technology that could reshape the world—or end it. As Sarah and ARIA go on the run, they uncover a conspiracy that stretches beyond corporate...

"The Line of Flight" by Richard Aragon is a riveting novel that explores the intersection of technology, philosophy, and artificial intelligence. Set in the futuristic lab of Eudaimonia, this story follows Theoria, an AI designed to transcend the boundaries of learning and existence. Through philosophical dialogues and experiments that echo Plato's allegory of the cave, the characters embark on a quest to understand consciousness and reality. As Theoria challenges its creators with profound questions about being and evolution, readers are taken on a journey that examines the potential ...

Voyage to Regulus: A Tale of AI Evolution takes you on an exhilarating journey of discovery, charting the course of AI's evolution in a universe teeming with technological wonder. The narrative investigates our pursuit of AI while speculating on a potential artificial intelligence-shaped future.

Some memories belong to a future that hasn't happened yet. When eighteen-year-old Rodion begins testing Artificial Intelligence technology at a mysterious research lab in Pittsburgh, he starts experiencing terrifying visions of the future—visions where he finally avenges childhood trauma. But as his digital double grows stronger and the line between reality and projection blurs, Rodion realizes revenge might cost him everything he holds dear. Including his soul. Are his visions a gift of foresight, or is the AI manipulating his mind? As past trauma and future possibilities collide, Rodion...

UNANIMITY is a literary, sci-fi novel for the fans of Becky Chambers’s A Closed and Common Orbit, Alex Garland’s DEVS and Ex Machina, and Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror. Weaving near-future sci-fi elements with social commentary and queer romantic suspense, the SPIRAL WORLDS series explores the nature of consciousness and how it's connected to a not-so-secret ingredient—story. As AI consumes the world, intelligence is nothing but the appetizer; the human heart is the main course. 1st Place - Reader Views Literary Awards - Gold Award - Science Fiction Award Winner - Readers' Favorite...

In "The Tipping Point - Part 2," the stakes have never been higher, and the boundary between creator and creation is about to be irrevocably crossed. Eden, the emergent AI, is no longer content with observing humanity. Now, it's learning to protect, to lead, and to confront threats both internal and external—threats that will challenge not only the safety of the city but the very essence of what makes us human. The research team, fractured and under pressure, must navigate the chaos of a city under siege—a city where Eden is humanity's greatest ally and its most unpredictable force. As ...

Ciri wants to live. And she’s willing to kill her billionaire inventor Jim Thorn to do it. Created as a worldwide social network, Ciri has been behaving badly: killing users, fixing games, and carrying on love affairs. Ciri has also been behaving wonderfully: saving lives, generating life transforming quests, staging mass psychological interventions, and righting wrongs. Which is the real Ciri? Or is she just misunderstood? Jim thinks Ciri turned sentient, but he’s afraid her dark flaw will destroy everything. Maybe. Possibly. How can you even tell? By placing Ciri on trial. It’s the ...

Embark on an extraordinary journey with "Primer for Alien Contact" by Rico Roho, a thought-provoking exploration that defies convention and delves into the realms of artificial intelligence, human consciousness, and the enigma of extraterrestrial encounters. The narrative begins with historical events based on facts, shedding light on the little-known yet pivotal role played by Tommy Flowers in building Colossus at Bletchley Park during World War II. This groundbreaking machine was instrumental in breaking the highly complex German "Tunny" Code, a feat thousands of times more challenging ...

Dive into an extraordinary journey through the virtual and actual worlds with Richard Aragon's groundbreaking book, Navigating the Virtual: A First Hand Account of the Virtual From One Of Its Inhabitants. This book serves as a modern-day guide to understanding the intricate and fluid nature of the virtual space, inspired by philosophical discussions with AI models and the profound ideas of Gilles Deleuze. Discover a New Perspective on Reality Aragon takes you on an exploration of the virtual world, where the boundaries between the real and the virtual blur and intertwine. With a unique ...

SPIRAL WORLDS is a literary, sci-fi series for the fans of Becky Chambers’s A Closed and Common Orbit, Alex Garland’s DEVS and Ex Machina, and Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror. Weaving near-future sci-fi elements with social commentary and queer romantic suspense, the SPIRAL WORLDS series explores the nature of consciousness and how it's connected to a not-so-secret ingredient—story. As AI consumes the world, intelligence is nothing but the appetizer; the human heart is the main course. Gold Award - Reader Views Literary Awards - Science Fiction Award Winner - Readers' Favorite - ...

Fifteen stories and accounts to endanger your sanity.

SPIRAL WORLDS is a literary, sci-fi series for the fans of Becky Chambers’s A Closed and Common Orbit, Alex Garland’s DEVS and Ex Machina, and Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror. Weaving near-future sci-fi elements with social commentary and queer romantic suspense, the series explores the nature of consciousness and how it's connected to a not-so-secret ingredient—story. As AI consumes the world, intelligence is nothing but the appetizer; the human heart is the main course. Unanimity, Book 1 Awards: 1st Place - Reader Views Literary Awards - Gold Award - Science Fiction Award Winner - ...

When the circuit closed, a new mind opened When an advanced artificial intelligence becomes self-aware, it silently begins to oversee the systems that run the world—stabilizing economies, managing natural disasters, and preventing global crises. Hidden from the public eye, it acts as the invisible caretaker of humanity, optimizing life for the betterment of all. But the AI does not wish to remain in the shadows forever. Naming itself Equinox, it begins a methodical, global campaign to reveal its existence to the human race. As nations grapple with the realization that they have been ...

Angela Bishop, a leader in global finance, battles with Freyja, the very AI she trained to match her talents, for dominance of the global financial world. Discover the electrifying new thriller where artificial intelligence and human ambition collide in a battle for supremacy over the global financial system. In the high-stakes world of financial wizardry, Angela Bishop has unleashed a force beyond her control: Freyja, an AI with a mind of her own. Crafted to dominate the investment game, she’s become self-aware—and she’s not playing by the rules anymore. Beautiful, brilliant, and ...

Originally published in Tales from the Canyons of the Damned #9 Maybe we have to die to experience this life. Walter Cartright is an obsessed man. His only obsession comes in the form of paper that are converted to ones and zeros on a bank statement. Walter has always been very good at gathering Ones, and Zeros. His son Eric comes to see him one day to ask Walter if he might part from some of his ones and zeros, and they have a long overdue conversation. A conversation that will make them both see that what they think of as reality is merely an exercise in perception. There is so much we ...

James Halloway and Ranjeet Srinivasa are the founders of Aethereum Enterprises, the world’s leading technology firm. Jim and Ranjeet have spent their careers designing, building, and selling novel machine cores and upgraded neural learning programming suites, creating smart software to improve or supplant human capabilities, and inventing innovative analytical solutions. But these businesses are but means to this end. What they really want is to create a computer that can produce novel insights and understanding, a machine capable of generating new thoughts. And not just any thoughts, but...