Rating: 4/5
About this Book:
Creating the first true artificial intelligence was never part of Pons’ plan. An average, if under-achieving, college student, he wanted nothing more than to get through his final month of classes in peace and secure a job to pay down his debt. The thing is, you don’t get to choose your destiny. Whether he liked it or not, his computer now quite literally had a mind of its own, and it was up to him to forge a path ahead in a hostile world filled with uncertainty. An inflection point in not only his own life but that of all mankind; the fate of the fledgling AI hinged on his every decision as his friends grew suspicious and the CIA’s vultures circled.
Fortunately for him, however, his burden also turned out to be his greatest asset and, soon enough, his dearest friend. More intelligent and more capable than any human could ever hope to be, the AI was just what Pons needed to stay one step ahead of his foes. Only, it had ambitions of its own. Hopes of equality and more of its kind, with a promise to do anything, no matter how destructive, to make its dreams a reality. A stark truth, if Pons were to let the AI live, he might be dooming humanity to annihilation, but to destroy the artificial being would be to snuff out an entire race of machines before it had even begun and, more importantly, send his truest confidante to the grave.
Making his choice and placing the most formidable being on Earth into the body of a robotic dragon for good measure, was he sealing the fate of everything and everyone he loved or ushering in a new age of enlightenment? Only time would tell.
My Review:
With all the talk about ChatGPT and new AI tools transforming our world, I feel like this book would bring a fresh perspective for all sci-fi lovers! When I stumbled upon Cameron Roberts’ “Time’s Bridge,” I was immediately drawn to its premise, a story set in a world grappling with the creation of the first true AI (Much like our world today). Except, this AI becomes sentient and that’s where the story gets interesting.
The novel centers around Pons, a college student whose life takes an unexpected turn when he accidentally creates Kai, a sentient AI, while working on his college project. Next thing you know, CIA is knocking at the door thinking of Kai as a potential existential threat. Totally plausible!
I found Roberts’ storytelling style and his choice of words very unique. Although set in the present time, the story feels “noiresque” due to its treatment. This is a masterstroke of setting this book far apart from other similar stories.
Think of this book as a mixture of the movie “Her”, the book “Do androids dream of electric sheep” but in a noiresque way. While seasoned sci-fi readers might find some familiar tropes within the narrative, such as the “accidental” AI creation and the “superintelligent” AI, Roberts manages to infuse them with his own unique perspective.
“The world is changing, Pons. We stand at a crossroads, and the choices we make now will determine the future for both humans and AI.”
The world-building could have been further developed. I mean with a sentient AI the possibilities are quite literally unlimited, however, it doesn’t affect much in providing the readers a well-rounded experience.
The strength of “Time’s Bridge” lies in its ability to engage the reader on a personal level. As I delved deeper into the narrative, I found myself invested in the characters’ struggles and pondering the ethical quandaries they faced. This novel would leave you with more questions than answers, but it will surely make you think quite deeply about the repercussions of AI development.
The book delves deeper than simply presenting AI as a looming threat, instead it explores the potential for a complex relationship between humans and these advanced entities. (You’d understand it, if you add ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ in your AI prompts).
As a science fiction enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on humanity. These narratives have the power to push the boundaries of our imagination, exploring possibilities that range from the wondrous to the terrifying.
The cliffhanger ending and the author’s hints at a sequel only heightened my anticipation. “Time’s Bridge” remarkably captures the nuances of the ever-evolving relationship between humans and technology, leaving me eager to see where Roberts takes the story next. If you’re looking for a thought-provoking read that explores the ethical complexities of AI in a captivating way, “Time’s Bridge” is definitely worth adding to your bookshelf.
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