29 Comments
User's avatar
James Hayes's avatar

This feels incredibly relevant (and scary) as to how casually AI companies are experimenting with all of our futures. Well done.

Bill Adler's avatar

Thank you, James. The future is coming and I fear we're not prepared.

Stephanie Loomis's avatar

Just because we can doesn't mean we should

Bill Adler's avatar

I agree 100 percent.

M.E. Proctor's avatar

It was a pleasure learning to know you, Bill. We had a good run....

Bill Adler's avatar

All good things end when we leas

Sharron Bassano's avatar

Euw! Yikes! Alvin’s shoes flew off?? Too much! That opening line is a real cracker, Bill. How could anyone resist reading the rest? What a brain you have. I am glad you do not live next door. ha ha ha

Bill Adler's avatar

Your comments make me smile, Sharron. I'm glad you liked The New Virus. PS I'm a quiet neighbor, but I can't say that about Kinmo the cat.

J M Hatch's avatar

https://archive.is/1WHQU#selection-8077.0-8077.50

Nope, not fiction. The names have been changed to protect the innocent, if there are any.

J M Hatch's avatar

Maybe that herd of Doraemons will save us from ourselves?

Bill Adler's avatar

Doraemon is magical.

K.C. Knouse's avatar

This makes me think of Wuhan and the other labs trying to create the next pandemic so they would be prepared for it. Insane! I love your stories, Bill, but some are disturbingly close to reality.

Bill Adler's avatar

Thanks K.C. I felt a bit queasy after writing this story and I desperately hope it stays fiction.

Deirdre Mooney's avatar

It was the casual way she mixed up Herpes with the Hepatitis B virus that got me!

Bill Adler's avatar

A strange pairing indeed.

Architectonic's avatar

Oops.

Yael Gelardin's avatar

You probably had the time of your life writing The New Virus. Loved it as usual.! thanks.

Bill Adler's avatar

Thank you, Yael. I did enjoy writing this and I'm glad you liked it.

Mark Kennedy's avatar

Not so far-fetched!

Bill Adler's avatar

Six years ago, the AI we have now would have been considered high science fiction.

Mark Kennedy's avatar

Exactly. We're counting on you to continue to envision how AI will evolve during the next six years and beyond. I don't know about you, but I see Skynet coming to life!

Bill Adler's avatar

I do, too. What government won't deploy autonomous killing drones that decide what or whom to destroy on their own if those drones give them a military advantage? Will police deploy drones that locate suspects on the street and then detain them?

Mark Kennedy's avatar

Exactly! I can't remember the name of the book or the author, but years ago, I read a fascinating science fiction story about how Japan would become an expert in developing and deploying nano-drones. It might be an interesting concept related to physical AI for you to explore.

John Madrid's avatar

A containment alarm that gives up and plays "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is the detail I'd have stolen if I'd got there first.

Bill Adler's avatar

As they all should. :)