In recent years, artificial intelligence has rapidly evolved from a niche technology to an integral part of everyday life. This transformation has sparked numerous discussions about the ethical implications and societal impacts of AI. A series of novels have emerged that delve into these complex issues, examining how AI influences human autonomy, consent, and interpersonal relationships. These works challenge readers to reflect on the balance between technological advancement and preserving our humanity.

A Deep Dive into the Intersection of AI and Humanity

In the early stages of writing We Lived on the Horizon, the author noticed a burgeoning interest in chatbots and AI. By the time the novel was completed, AI had become ubiquitous. The book explores the profound effects of AI on personal autonomy and consent, questioning what happens when humans are governed by the very technology they create. It delves into AI's struggle to understand human behavior and the physicality of the human body, bridging this gap through narrative exploration.

The rise of AI in popular culture, alongside films like Her, I am Mother, and Ex Machina, underscores the importance of understanding the creation and consequences of AI. The author raises critical questions: Does treating AI as human encourage objectification? Are we becoming more isolated despite our connectedness? Who is responsible for the words generated by chatbots, and do their personalities come through?

These themes are echoed in various literary works:

• Liz Moore’s The Unseen World: Through Ada's relationship with her father David, a computer scientist working on an early chatbot, Moore examines how technology reflects its creators. The novel poignantly explores time, family, aging, and memory.
• Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun: Klara, a solar-powered companion, offers a unique perspective on human nature and faith, challenging readers to reconsider how we treat both each other and our creations.
• Becky Chambers’ A Psalm for the Wild-Built: Using an awakened robot and a tea monk grappling with existential questions, Chambers writes a heartwarming exploration of being, emotions, and consciousness.
• Helen Phillips’ Hum: Mae, unemployed due to AI, undergoes experimental surgery to support her family. The novel critiques corporate and governmental surveillance, highlighting the impact on parental roles and familial dynamics.
• Louisa Hall’s Speak: Five voices within an AI explore machine consciousness and the texts that shaped it, raising ethical questions about connection, loneliness, and isolation.
• Mason Coile’s William: A thriller that combines horror elements, exploring power dynamics, AI in romantic partnerships, and the ethics of creation and control.
• Ted Chiang’s Exhalation: Stories that blend wonder and discomfort, particularly in “Dacey’s Patent Automatic Nanny,” which delves into caring and connection.
• Lavanya Lakshminarayan’s The Ten Percent Thief: Set in Apex City, a future Bangalore, this novel scrutinizes a society governed by algorithms, questioning the authenticity of individual thinking.
• Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?: In post-apocalyptic San Francisco, bounty hunter Rick Deckard chases androids, exploring the boundaries between human and machine.
• Andromeda Romano-Lax’s Plum Rains: Set in a future Japan where AI cares for the elderly, the novel probes care, altruism, and the nature of human connection.

From a reader’s perspective, these novels serve as powerful reminders of the need to critically evaluate the role of AI in our lives. They prompt us to consider who benefits from technological advancements and who might be harmed. Ultimately, these stories urge us to maintain our humanity in an increasingly automated world, ensuring that progress does not come at the cost of our core values and connections.