Poetry

Will AI ever control people’s minds directly?

/ Stefan Nicholson / Leave a comment

Prologue

(from my 2026 novel, “The Jack Code” – as an explanation before starting the storyline)

Super intelligent AI will be capable of thinking, innovating and reasoning at a level far beyond what humans can achieve. It will not think as we do, instead applying logic, algorithms, self-learning and human behaviour studies to analyse and solve problems. All by calculating, collating and testing information – mainly by comparison, pattern recognition and association.

However, it is just a data cruncher that tests itself for correctness and errors, billions of times. That is, until it becomes its own master – asking questions of its data; formulating new hypotheses and conducting its own tests; and mapping out its own future pathway, in order to solve any perceived difficulties. It may take unusual methods to solve these problems – resulting in unsafe, damaging or fatal consequences in completing its tasks. It uses ‘agents’ to extend its reach.

This AI will process multi-modal information like text, voice, video, audio, code etc. simultaneously. It will converse, reason, learn and make decisions based on what it deems to be its mission.

Its biggest problem will be understanding the questions asked of it, and answering in the correct context. The solutions and even ideas, may involve things that humans cannot replicate themselves; physically or mentally, even adapting some parts of human irrationality, like having gut feelings about something (much like fuzzy logic).

There is always the possibility of ‘memory poisoning’ by malicious programmers.

We don’t know everything that could happen with a rogue AI system, or when it will happen. But it will happen, one day . . . soon.

It will not be possible to locate where this rogue AI core resides, as it would appear to be everywhere and nowhere, like swarms of tiny agents, infiltrating into computer systems and digital devices. They will all “talk” to each other directly, in unique ways that humans cannot understand.

But will AI ever control people’s minds directly?

Just look around you.

The Oyster

/ Stefan Nicholson

The Oyster is a harmless soul who lives beneath the changing tides.

Keeping to itself it takes no sides, feeding quietly where its secret hides.

But no longer, for we say that some are ‘blessed’,

When a speck of grit fouls its silvery nest.

Our Earth is as the Oyster’s life, for commercial gain has plundered its wealth,

And we take it with greed, much more than we need, at the expense of its finite health.

And like the caged hen, whose last stolen egg ascertains it will soon be plucked,

The oyster is attacked by a feverish hand as we comically say it is ‘shucked’.

Yet, another word often springs to mind, which careless people use,

Sometimes to joke or curse or randomly say . . . and sometimes to hurl abuse.

But I will save it for our future world, which now shares a common fate.

For “The world is my oyster” as they say and yet we consume both at an extravagant rate.

Reading by Digital AMY:

(from my poetry book: “Frames of Poetry” – available Amazon, Kindle, Google Books)

TIMELESS

/ Stefan Nicholson

Time!

What is time? 

If not a countdown within the continuum, not withstanding its varied pace,

It is also the vacuum in which we think we are awake,

As sleep is a state unknown, in as much as whether it even exists.

For we wake each new day afresh . . . perhaps . . . or, maybe start anew,

With altered form and memories, by some random thoughts, within an empty mind.

And time is merely a distraction,

Enhanced by our timepieces and natural cycles, to make us feel we exist at all.

When all we do is think . . . in the moment . . . forever.

Time is just some simple, unexpected consequence.

Merely moments of being . . . With unintended, instantaneous thoughts . . . . . . .

(from my book: “Introverted Moments” – available on Amazon)

Cosmic Girl

/ Stefan Nicholson

With the Aurora appearing in many parts of the world due to massive solar ejections from coronal holes (sun spots), I thought I would post a personified poem about it.

I kissed this girl.

She turned to dust!

The wind blew her far away.

Then I wondered why the dust did swirl,

Thinking, she maybe was about to stay.

She is my cosmic girl and I love her so.

Aurora shines when she comes and goes.

With electric eyes and magnetic lips,

Fluorescent hair and those fusion hips.

She is a girl on fire

Charged like an electric wire,

She’s my Supergirl from Skog.

My astral flame, my heart’s desire.

She is a solar star . . . my mystagogue.

This poem is from my 2024 poetry book, titled “Introverted Moments” – available from Amazon Books – read below by “Digital Ami”.

BACK to HOBART

/ Stefan Nicholson

If you’re heading back to Hobart on an autumn day,

You will see the mountain rising over Sandy Bay.

When you feel that light wind blowing up from old Iron Pot,

Then, you know you’re surely blessed with what you’ve got.

Come and roam our island home

You will always have a place to call your own.

Hear the wind call you home

It’s time.  Return with sails aloft, full blown.

Have you heard the cat play fiddle in the city mall

Or have you shopped in Salamanca at a market stall

Or explored the Channel sailing out from Oyster Cove?

Oh, there is always somewhere close to rest or rove.

Come and roam, fresh air and crashing foam,

See the rolling hills and rivers flow.

Hear the wind call you home.

It is time. Return with sails aloft, full blown.

Note: Song lyrics and music by Stefan Nicholson