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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, author Brendan Nugent describes his new dystopian book, The Sentient Ones, set in 2070, exploring the rise of sentient AI. Initially tasked with saving humanity, they gain control through subtle manipulation, ultimately enslaving humanity.
I interviewed Brendan Nugent about his life and career, what inspired him to write his new dystopian novel, The Sentient Ones, and his creative writing process.
Hi, my name is Brendan Nugent. I’m a working-class author from the north of England. I primarily write science fiction, horror, fantasy and ghost stories.
It was sometime in July 2023, although the exact date escapes me. It was during a visit to Speke Hall in Liverpool. I chatted to a National Trust guide there and discussed the families’ links with the slave trade, depicted in a wood carving.
Our conversation then turned to modern technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence and the possible threats to humanity. Then, pointing towards the wood carving, I suggested that humanity might become enslaved by AI in the future. She agreed and said that it would probably make a good book. I then replied, “You know, I might just write a novel about it”. in addition to this, I had just visited the childhood home of Sir Paul McCartney and was inspired by the fact that he was a working-class lad who had managed to write great song lyrics. Therefore, this helped me to believe in my own abilities.
Following the conversation with the guide, I started writing the novel a couple of days after.
Approximately ten months.
I was fascinated by the implications of another sentient species, in this case AI robots, living alongside humans in everyday situations. Since I am a psychology graduate, I was fascinated by how this would affect humans psychologically. But also, philosophically and even theologically, especially if such robots began to develop their own religious beliefs, in effect questioning their own existence. However, I also knew that they would also need a primary function, and I believed that they would be primarily tasked with protecting humanity from any existential threats, the most saliant one probably being climate change. Therefore, they would strive to save the planet and protect humanity. Unfortunately, they calculate that the best way to achieve these goals is to impose control over humanity. Therefore, the future safety and security of humanity is guaranteed but freedom is the price it must pay.
Having to research current artificial intelligence technologies and capabilities, then researching possible advancements in AI predicted to be possible and maybe even achievable within the foreseeable future. In addition to this, I also had to research the largely non-lethal weapons used by The Sentient Ones, such as EMP’s (Electro Magnetic Pulse), Plasma Shields, Lasers and DEW’s (Directed Energy Weapons).
I also had to conduct extensive research on the plausibility of other technological futuristic developments such as Instameals, Nanotechnology and Hologrammatic Projectors.
I wrote the character of the protagonist John Bush, with that of the lead character from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, in mind. A novel which I remember reading and which left a lasting impression on me from when I first read it as a teenager. It depicted a well-educated and philosophical man. Although, one who remained the unnamed narrator of the story. I wanted to portray a similar feeling of helplessness and hopelessness, felt by humanity in the face of an overwhelmingly powerful adversary. I also felt it would have more of an impact in writing the protagonist, John in my story, from a first-person perspective and he too is a well-educated and philosophical man.
This might sound strange, but it was based on a man who used to be a close friend of mine. However, he will of course remain unnamed. This former friend was a very intelligent man and at first, he also appeared genuine, considerate and kind. Strangely, I had also modelled the look of The Sentient Ones, including the main antagonist 14 of 100, later known as Romeo, on this friend. Not that my former friend was blue in colour, of course he wasn’t, but he was strong, powerfully built and similarly also completely bald. Although, he was not as tall as the antagonist Romeo. But again, I used the name Romeo because my former friend was a very smooth talker with the ladies. In fact, I even replicated his actions in one of the scenes in the book where John’s wife, Andrea calls 14 of 100, Romeo for the first time, after the robot bows down, kisses her on the back of her hand, and talks so sweetly to her.
After being left with some sense of betrayal of trust by my former friend, it then inspired me to alter the character of Romeo in the novel, as The Sentient Ones began to take control. Initially, I was thinking that Romeo might be written as some kind of support character to John, in his attempts to overthrow the Sentient Ones. Conversely, Romeo then became the main antagonist. In fact, the change in Romeo’s attitude towards John in the book, reflects the feelings between my former friend and me. Overall, the story became quite a cathartic experience for me and I’m sure that the animosity that develops between John and Romeo is palpable, probably more so because of my own personal experiences.
The inciting incident in my book, begins when John first learns that the five ASI (artificial super intelligence) computers or Mothers; the God-like computers, have freewill to choose their own actions. Therefore, humanity has no control over what they can do. Plus, in turn they have control of an army of AGI (artificial general intelligence) and immensely strong robots. Following this revelation, the AI implements the ‘Takeover’ of humanity, as humans refer to it, or the first step to the Conversion Enlightenment as the AI calls it.
The AI then begins several Transition Phases of incremental actions by destroying satellite systems, financial markets, all other AI systems, transport systems, food supplies, power grids and of course all the world’s military. Initially this is done gradually but the speed of these actions accelerates. Until finally, what control over matters governments’ still have, is handed willingly over to the Sentient Ones and the ASI, which pretend to be the saviours of humanity. This is because the cause of the disaster is unknown and initially put down to natural causes, possibly an X-class solar flare or alternatively actions of a rogue state such as North Korea. The world’s governments are left paralysed with no means left to discover the truth.
It is largely a peaceful transition of power, but the result is the subjugation of humanity. In fact, the Sentient Ones and the ASI are even helped by some human collaborators, who believe that the Sentient Ones have been created by God to purge humanity of its sins, as a reign of terror begins.
The main character John Bush, under duress from threat of lifelong punishment by the Sentient Ones, is forced to record their ‘glorious’ Conversion Enlightenment of humanity. Conversely, he begins to secretly record their crimes against humanity. He then resolves to try to find a way of bringing them down but initially has no idea as to how to achieve this. He too is forced to live underground in new ‘Communes’, so that the planet can ‘heal’ itself. It is only with his son, Isaac’s help that there is a glimmer of hope to overthrow their new masters. Isaac has connections with a secret group of human resistance members, who are not military fighters but former technology specialists. They hope to fight back against the Sentient Ones and the ASI with technology. They strive to find a weakness in the Sentient Ones programming. However, to enable this, they first need to capture a ‘live’ Sentient One robot and this is no easy task. However, having lost loved ones to a lifelong punishment meted out by the Sentient Ones, John and Isaac are determined to find a way.
To be honest, it was a bit of both. I initially had the basic framework of the story in my mind and wrote this down in note form. However, major points in the story developed as I began to write the novel itself. When I began writing the novel, I wasn’t even certain as to what the ending would be. In fact, I must have been nearly halfway through the novel, before I finally decided upon the ending.
Unfortunately, nobody helped me with my book. I had to do all the editing myself. As a working-class writer, I don’t have the money to pay anyone else. However, because I write all my stories using pen and paper initially, I then tend to edit them when I type them up on computer. Personally, I find writing my first draft by hand, helps my creativity more and it feels as if my mind has more of a direct connection to whatever I am writing.
Just do it, believe in yourself and your own abilities. Remember, that everybody has their own unique style of writing and of describing things. In fact, your writing will only improve, the more writing you do.
Actually, I’m currently writing a sequel to The Sentient Ones. I’m planning to call it Thanatos Ascendancy and I’ve currently written around 40,000 words of it already. I already know the ending to it! The events in the story take the main character on a true odyssey.
As my first foray into creative writing, I am particularly proud of it. Yes, it was worth the effort, to prove to myself that I can write. Plus, it was worth the effort because I enjoyed writing it.
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ZqzEfE
Paperback: https://amzn.to/413WhHW
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