If uploading your mind to a virtual world sounds like progress, what does that say about the future of being human? In this episode of Synthetic Minds, speculative fiction author and psychiatrist Grace Chan explores the moral complexities of emerging technologies like mind-uploading, virtual reality, and AI. Her novel Every Version of You imagines a world where consciousness can exist beyond the body—raising profound questions about identity, relationships, and what it means to stay human in an increasingly digital world. Chan cautions that businesses often focus on the coolness and convenience of tech innovations, sidelining their deeper ethical implications. - AI can complement but not replace human empathy and insight. - The “Four Cs” framework—Coolness, Convenience, Commercial Potential, and Consequences—helps evaluate new technologies. - Chan warns that mind-uploading may erode relationships and reduce human experience to mere data. The future demands not just innovation but thoughtful reflection—are we building technology that serves humanity, or are we adapting ourselves to serve the technology? About Grace Chan: Grace is an award-winning speculative fiction writer. She writes about brains, minds, and space. Her debut novel, Every Version of You, is about staying in love after mind-uploading into virtual reality. It won The University of Sydney’s People’s Choice Award, and was shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and The Age Book of the Year. It was longlisted for the Stella Prize and the Indie Book Awards. It has been optioned for a film adaptation by Cognito Entertainment. Every Version of You: https://amzn.to/3YmZmB8 The Digital Speaker: https://thedigitalspeaker.com

If you're ignoring speculative fiction, you're missing out on your company's future—and maybe its survival. Summary: In this episode of Synthetic Minds, S.B. Divya, a speculative fiction author and AI researcher, delves into the intersection of technology, ethics, and the future of humanity. Her works like Machinehood offer more than captivating narratives; they serve as strategic blueprints for businesses navigating the complexities of AI and automation. Divya highlights how speculative fiction allows organizations to explore "what if" scenarios, helping leaders anticipate the ethical challenges AI will bring. AI is not just a tool for efficiency but a potential ethical minefield, raising issues around bias, surveillance, and autonomy. By employing futures thinking, businesses can better prepare for long-term impacts, ensuring ethical foresight is part of their strategy. With AI shaping everything from work to identity, are you ready to explore the possible futures of your company? About S.B. Divya S.B. Divya (she/any) is a lover of science, math, fiction, and the Oxford comma. She is a Nebula, Hugo, Ignyte, and Locus Award finalist and the author of novels Runtime and Machinehood. Her short stories have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, and she is a former editor of Escape Pod, the weekly science fiction podcast. Divya holds degrees in Computational Neuroscience and Signal Processing.

If you think you’re in control of your decisions, you might want to ask your AI assistant who’s really pulling the strings. Dr. Louis Rosenberg, a pioneer in virtual and augmented reality, warns that as AI becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, it threatens human autonomy. In a discussion on the Synthetic Minds podcast, Rosenberg explores how conversational AI can subtly influence human behavior, from steering consumer choices to predicting personal preferences. The convenience of AI may come at the cost of our ability to make independent decisions, as algorithms quietly shape our lives. Dr. Rosenberg highlights concerns over "conversational advertising" and the ethical dilemmas that arise when AI-driven interactions blur the line between genuine human choices and AI manipulation. The conversation calls for stricter AI regulations and transparency to protect personal agency. Will we act before AI turns our decisions into predictable algorithmic outputs, or is free will already slipping from our grasp? Dr. Louis Rosenberg is a computer scientist, author, inventor, and entrepreneur. He is best known as an early pioneer of virtual reality, mixed reality, and haptics, and as a longtime AI researcher of Swarm Intelligence. Since 2014, Rosenberg has been CEO and Chief Scientist of Unanimous AI, a company that amplifies group intelligence in pursuit of Collective Superintelligence. His books about AI include Upgrade, Monkey Room, Arrival Mind and Our Next Reality. Rosenberg also writes for major publications about the dangers of technology.