If you’re a sci-fi or fantasy fan that was born before 2000, you’ll already know the answer to this question. When I was small, there wasn’t a way to contact you if you weren’t home.
There wasn’t tiny little communication devices that fit in your ear. There weren’t handheld computers, either. And AI was only something seen on Star Trek.
Will Science fiction become reality?
The answer, in most cases, is yes. That is why the science fiction genre is so important. While it may not be for everyone, science fiction can do what fantasy can’t do: push the boundary of fantasy to become reality.
When I was a little girl, I saw Lieutenant Uhura with a Bluetooth device. When I was older, I had a Bluetooth device. It made talking on the phone so much easier. When I watched Star Trek, the people would tell the computer to open a channel on the ship to communicate with another ship. Now my car communicates with other cars and will open a channel for me to call my husband while I’m driving.
So, the science fiction of my time has already become a reality for the next generation. The question really is what science fiction authors will create today for the next generation. Will dystopian authors inspire a child to stop climate change? Will hard sci-fi authors inspire the next generations of engineers to create gadgets that make our lives easier?
The possibilities are endless for the future. But as Stan Lee wrote in Spider Man, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Even though we have creative powers to do what we want, we must remember to add to the human element. We must remember our brothers and sisters on this planet. Even though technology from a book or movie may be fantastic to imagine, creating that technology could be to the detriment of others.
Should we remove these villainous AI’s from our books? Certainly not. I have watched and read about the problems with the birth of AI. AI is a recent creation, but it was thought up long ago. Throughout the last century, Sci-Fi books and movies have explored the question: when does AI become a sentient being?
I can’t answer that question. But the authors of today can help ease our fears. Authors can help explore that question and more through the fantasy they create. Their books can help us define what should stay fantasy and what should become a reality. Using science fiction books as a basis for us to explore these technologies can help us find a path forward for the reality we may or may not be prepared to live in. Sci-fi books and programs are not always filled with happy hopeful thoughts like I have in my books. Books that explore our worst nightmares will help us through these fears and define the ethical lines.
A common fear I see online is, what if AI takes over my job?
After using a few of the new technologies, I can say AI isn’t ready to take over the world yet. It’s there as a tool. It can write some pretty great stories, but it’s not always accurate with its data. But it’s a genuine fear we must explore.
Either way, I’m excited to see what the next generation of sci-fi authors will be inspired to create. It’s with their imagination that they will shape the world. Science fiction will always help us learn what it means to be human.
If you want to know what the future holds, just read a sci-fi book.
Here are three suggested sci-fi books you might enjoy:
The 716 by S.J. Pratt
A vivid coming of age story about the courage of everyday heroes.
Olivia is destined to be the future leader of Meliora. She’s smart, rich, and innovative, and she has a pink Identifeye light. Andy is destined to be a waiter and househusband. His blue Identifeye light prevents him from pursuing his dream of becoming an engineer. After all, who ever heard of a male engineer? But when Andy’s life becomes entangled with Olivia’s and he gets the chance to prove himself on the female stage, everything starts to change.
In a futuristic society where men are second-class citizens and only binary gender norms are acceptable, Andy and Olivia must confront their own beliefs and decide what kind of world they want to live in. Will they do what is expected or what is right? And will the wrong choice spell disaster?
Starfire by Jenetta Penner
Two worlds collide and only one of them can survive.
Earth is doomed.
On the last day of Cassie’s starship journey to Arcadia, the new Eden, her father is killed in a mysterious explosion. Fortunately, a mysterious vanishing stranger with otherworldly blue-green eyes plucks her from danger at the last second.
Officials swear the explosion was a horrible accident, but she knows they are lying… hiding something...
About her father. About the nature of their new home.
Orphaned and alone she’s cast aside and told to keep her mouth shut. Instead, Cassie’s eyes are opened by newfound abilities and soon the boy with the cyan eyes finds his way back into her life. An instant attraction draws her to Javen and he offers her one dangerous chance to uncover the secret of what became of her father and who she really is.
But secrets the planet holds may force her into an impossible choice only she can make…
Saving humanity or saving Arcadia.
The Progenitor by Sara Wright
Peace was all Xendara desired, but her enemies hunger for her power. Princess Xendara is the heir to the throne, but her life is turned upside-down when a mysterious spaceship attacks. She learns her father had secrets. With his untimely demise, she must uncover them before her enemies remove her from power. In her quest to keep peace within the Six Systems, she discovers a power she didn’t know she had; a power that everyone is looking to exploit. With the help of her childhood friend Darijus, she unlocks long lost memories of her past, only to find his destiny is intertwined with her own. A prophecy guides her choices to the correct timeline. But can she trust a prophecy that foretells the death of a loved one? With the destiny of the Universe on the line, who she chooses to trust will divide a galaxy.
With powers her enemies aim to exploit, will she risk galactic war?
Sara Wright is a science fantasy author who loves to add dash of sweet romance to her books.
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Time Crystal by Sara Wright
The Progenitor Chronicles
Synopsis:
Time Crystals are forbidden for a reason, but King Oren must use one to save a civilization.
King Oren’s only goal was to be a peaceful caretaker of the galaxy. But when a girl falls through a portal into his courtyard clutching a forbidden Time Crystal, his life changes.
With a cataclysmic event imminent, he must lead a group from his home system to the opposite side of the galaxy. Everyone looks to their seemingly immortal race for aid, but even with their elemental powers, they are far from perfect.
Armed with the Time Crystal, they seek to stop an exploding star from decimating an entire population. The problem is, he doesn’t know how to use the crystal. Even worse, he might die trying.
Will King Oren stop the star from exploding? Or will time unravel?
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