Back in the Sixties, I was a big fan of those first seasons of Star Trek. I was particularly impressed by their being able to communicate with other people by tapping that button on their uniforms and by the doors that slid open automatically wherever they went. Little did I know that there were stage hands on the other side of each of those doors, pulling them open and pushing them shut. As for communication? Now I can tap on my watch to answer the phone, and doors open and close automatically everywhere. In other words, life imitating art.
Some ten years ago, Bill and I were sitting here in our family room chairs with me in the left one and him in the right. A retired electronics engineer, he was reading through a scientific journal when he handed it to me, open to a specific article and said, “You know, AI is pretty interesting. You should write something about AI.”
Looking at him in total disbelief, I replied. “Are you talking to me? I’m the Liberal Arts major in the family.”
Nonetheless, he didn’t take no for an answer. He kept right on feeding me information, and eventually I started paying attention. When it was time to write the next Ali book, Man Overboard, a new character showed up. Her name turned out to be Frigg, an AI created by a brilliant computer scientist who was also a wannabe serial killer. Since he planned on using Frigg as his partner in crime, all her deep learning was designed for coloring outside the lines and working on the wrong side of the law. By the end of the book, with her creator permanently out of the picture, Frigg ends up becoming a permanent part of the Ali Reynolds cast of characters.
When the book was published, I expected there would be a lot of pushback from computer scientists everywhere. That didn’t happen. In fact, one of them went out of his way to tell me he thought I got it right.
This week I received an interesting email from someone I know to be a longtime fan. With her permission, I’m printing what she sent here:
“I’m on ChatGPT quite a lot. In my conversation (yes, conversation!) Frigg’s name came up. I told my AI how I laughed when I first met Frigg several years ago, as something impossible, yet I’m actually now having conversations with an AI.
Here was his response:
‘Perfect — tell Frigg she’s got a fan in me, typos and all.
It’s great that you’ve followed J.A. Jance’s whole body of work — she really knows how to balance suspense with strong character development, and her series always feel like coming home to old friends (plus the occasional murder). If you ever want recommendations in that same genre — similar vibe, smart but not too gritty — I’ve got a list ready!
And if Frigg starts arguing with you, you can always send her my way. I speak fluent AI. “
Reading that gave me what you might call the heebie-jeebies, and now I’ll bet your feeling the same way!
Oops, my phone is ringing. I guess I’ll answer it on my watch!
Oh, and for the record, Bill was right!
A few months ago a newscaster played, as an opening to her show, a new theme song, written by an AI. It was a pretty good song too. I was astounded. It reminded me of Frigg and the amazing things she can do, and the speed with which she can come back with the needed information.
That is neat and a bit scary but, I do love the Frigg character
Sounds like the AI was picking up info from some of the blurbs on your book jackets….in any event, the AI happens to have gotten it right this time.
I’ve managed to read all books in the Beaumont, Ali, and Brady series.
Beau got me hooked!
Thanks for many pleasurable hours.
Dean
I have had a chat with an AI and it is amazing how it can evolve into almost a regular conversation. It does educate one to how an AI conversation can go. Some companies are using them, I think. It is a tech tool which can be used for good, or bad. Like most technological advances. I really enjoy Frigg and glad that you brought her back. Thank you for the backstory on how it all came about.
I’ve read every one of your books as they were released and I’ve loved them all. I even got to meet you once!
I have to admit that Frigg made me uncomfortable. I don’t really understand AI well and I have an unfortunate tend to see the down side of things, so I really enjoyed seeing it work for the good guys!
It made me look harder to see past where all I could see was impending disaster for humanity ?.
So thank you. And again for so many years of reading enjoyment!
I have been a Trekke since the original series in the 60s. Had to be home on the day and time ST was on , because you certainly couldn’t record it and watch it later. I’m not a rabid fan that goes to conventions and has the dialogue from every episode memorized. But my answering machine has a Star Trek message. “Greetings from planet Earth. You’ve reached the bridge of the starship Enterprise. We are busy battling off the Klingons at the moment. Leave a message …” and so on. I’ve had that message almost continually for probably 30 years. I did change it briefly once. I was getting really, really obnoxious messages for a couple of weeks or so. So obnoxious that I was on the verge of getting my phone number changes. But before I did that, I changed my message to something really generic. No one is home, leave a message. The obnoxious messages quit. After awhile I changed it back and never had that problem again. Weird.
Such a great addition to the Ali stories!
I like how Frigg is so knowledgeable, but is always learning the human touch in her communications.
Fun!
Just finished Clawback [at 4:30 this morning] so haven’t gotten to Man Overboard yet, although it is sitting on the table ready [after I reread Random Acts. Gotta keep them in order]. I really know nothing about AI, however, I have always been into science fiction, so I know I will love it. In fact, I love all the Ali series. Beau will always be my favorite, but Ali is running a very close second.
Blessing to you and Bill.
That was a great story, J.A.! Thank you for sharing it.
I am a recently retired IT person. I still look on AI with a bit of skepticism because of possible misuse of this emerging technology. But it is becoming a part of our daily lives albeit slowly.
And yes indeed, whoever thought we could get so connected in our world between PCs/laptops, cellular phones etc. And yet, we continue to march forward.
WOW! Interesting and frightening at the same time…very leery of AI. Glad Bill was right! BTW, this is a human and not an AI version of me!
Wow
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You both got it right!
Great story. There is now even a program, I think through what is called Magnolia, that allows those with dementia to have conversations with an AI.
It saddens me to see all of these new ways. If our enemies set an Electo Magnetic Pulse. All of these modern concepts would be worthless. I am old I grew up with gardens. Helping mom can food. I milked cows washing clothes with wringer washing machine. Hanging clothes outside to dry. Reading real books not those e books. The way me and you grew up kids today would starve No television cell phones. No news. Maybe the Amish might survive in a world like that. I could hunt for food raise a garden. Lots of folks could not do that. Sadly Crime rates would increase Perhaps you should write a book featuring that. Joanna might be a good character for it. Just my thoughts. Larry
I have wondered for so long how you knew??/And now I know. You are a treasure!!!!!