Artificial Intelligence - should we be worried?

There’s a lot in the media at the moment concerning Artificial Intelligence, some hailing it as the next industrial revolution, others as Armageddon waiting to happen.  I know science fiction over the years has been full of the latter.  However, as any writer will tell you a good story needs conflict and in sci-fi what’s better than man vs. machine?.  I also know that Stephen Hawking is suggesting we, or at least some of us, need to get of this planet before the end of the century and find a new home before AI becomes too powerful.  I just don’t see why it has to be that way.  Why does it have to be the alarmist view?  Although, I admit neither I nor the professor will be around at that time, mores the pity. 

For the complete blog follow this link: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1KR 

Science round-up Inspiration - 11

It’s been a while since I produced one of my end of the month science round-ups.  However, recently a few items have grabbed my attention as a science fiction writer.  As always these are not in any order of scientific importance.  However, as any writer knows it’s these sort of things that start you asking questions that lead to… well who knows where.

For the full blog follow the link

Go on, try it - read some science fiction

I write science fiction, I read science fiction and I watch science fiction.  That’s not all I do I hasten to add.  If you’ve been reading my blog recently you’ll know I’ve been reading a number of detective stories / thrillers and that I’m writing a sort of detective story (OK with a supernatural element to it).  I also enjoy good historical fiction.  In my mind the divide between this and scifi/fantasy is not so great i.e these are about worlds that can seem totally alien to us.  I’ve also watched some great non-scifi movies recently such as:  The Eye in the Sky, Bridge of Spies and the Water Diviner.  Yes, at the same time I’ve seen the new Star Wars and The Martian and I’ve Childhood’s End recorded (the book being the one that got me hooked on science fiction in the first place).  However, in no way do I see myself as a science fiction ‘geek’.

But then you try and talk to most people about science fiction and you get that sympathetic/superior look/reply as if you’ve just admitted you’ve got all the Spice Girl records (I haven’t, not one, honest). 

For the full blog follow the link

Monthly science highlights - 6)

My blog: This months collection of the strange, and hopefully interesting, from the world of science -  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1k1

Science fiction and science - chicken and egg?

My blog: Science fiction and science, which comes first and does it matter?  I think they need each other.  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1jU 

Robots - are they making us lazy?

Intelligent machines are having an ever increasing impact on our lives, but not always for the better.  My blog:  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1cF

Free Download - 'A Companion to the Future'

This week's blog is about the launch of my free download, 'A Companion to the Future'.  It covers topics such as: Technologies of the future, our relationships with them and the impact they will have on our lives; What our future societies might look like; The role and impact of science fiction.  There are also a few articles that I hope will make you smile. This is aimed at any one with an interest in our future, as well as anyone who writes or reads science fiction.

http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1bh

Stephen Hawking and artificial intelligence

In his recent articles Stephen Hawking thinks the development of artificial intelligence could spell doom for the human race. Others disagree and I'm with them.  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-19t

Intelligent machines, what will they do with us?

I have written a number of blogs about robots and intelligent machines.  I just wonder what they will do with us humans:
 http://wp.me/p3ycbY-16O

My top 5 science fiction inventions

This weeks blog looks at some of my personal favourite science fiction inventions.  What would yours be?  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-13e

Robots, androids and intelligent machines - what next?

In Sept 2013 I wrote a blog on this subject asking the question 'do we want them to look human?' I suggested the answer was 'no'. But, perhaps it's not that simple?  This weeks blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-12O

What happens when robots and machines are smarter than us?

Well I'm back on one of my favourite subjects,
our relationships with intelligent machines.  So what will happen when they become smarter than us - which the surely must?  This weeks blog:  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-12E

What will we humans be doing in the future? - part 1

 Machines are taking over more and more jobs.  There is even talk of drones delivering Amazon packages.  So, have you ever wondered what we humans will be doing in the future?  My blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-10L

Men and machines - and what does it mean to be human?

Why must it always be an us and them?  In the future will the definition of man and machine become blurred?  and what will it mean to be human?

My Wednesday blog:

http://wp.me/p3ycbY-cT

What do androids want from life?

I know it might seem a bit strange but I worry about these things.  I can't help feel that we humans are being a bit mean by creating androids / robots that look like us.  My blog: 
http://wp.me/p3ycbY-ba

Robots, Androids and Intelligent Machines - do we want them to look human?

I've never understood why we need to have robots or androids that look human.  Surely its better have machines, even intelligent machines, looking like machines? My blog  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-aB