The Strength of the Illusion

A timely meditation on what happens when artificial intelligence clashes with human stupidity.An AI researcher, Ty, has discovered how to teach a machine to write. He joins a start-up, Opel, eager to bring on-demand literature to millions. As Opel makes overbold claims about how its writing machine will automate human connection, Ty is increasingly drawn to the fiery relationship with his activist partner, Zora. As each of them flees from their own past, Ty and Zora while away hours in...
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A timely meditation on what happens when artificial intelligence clashes with human stupidity.An AI researcher, Ty, has discovered how to teach a machine to write. He joins a start-up, Opel, eager to bring on-demand literature to millions. As Opel makes overbold claims about how its writing machine will automate human connection, Ty is increasingly drawn to the fiery relationship with his activist partner, Zora. As each of them flees from their own past, Ty and Zora while away hours in their passionate debates about how to create a future for themselves and for the world. When Zora urges Ty to join her protest against big tech, Ty is forced to decide what he really values. Caught between worlds, Ty loses himself in the advice of his writing machine. How will Ty come to understand the difference between right and wrong, real and illusory?With its satirical portrayal of the promises of Silicon Valley, its tragic vision of the dreams of young love, and its timely commentary on the impacts of AI, The Strength of the Illusion marks a stunning debut by Jared Moore. At the heart of this philosophical novel lie the questions: What kind of relationships do we want with machines? What kind of relationships do we want with other people?