Should We Be Afraid of AI?, with Science Fiction author Robert Rivenbark

Should we be afraid of Artificial Intelligence AI? Science Fiction author Robert Rivenbark posed that exact same question when he wrote The Cloud. A combination of The Peripheral, Johnny Mnemonic and Blade Runner, The Cloud answers a simple question: if AI and Virtual Reality VR were combined...what kind of world would we be living in? And more sinister, what if those in power controlled this artificial world, programming it to keep the peasant class dumbed down, ignorant and domesticated? Robert Rivenbark sits down to have a fascinating discussion on the link between his work and the reality we face today. IS it really Science FICTION at this point? If you are a SciFi fan, you'll love this episode. About Robert Rivenbark: Robert Rivenbark earned a master’s degree in Creative Writing from Antioch University after winning a full academic scholarship to study for two years in Oxford and London, England, based on his award- winning short story collection. His experience there gave him a global perspective as a storyteller. He returned to the U.S. for a career in journalism and advertising and worked as a senior copywriter and video producer for some of America’s most prestigious advertising agencies and Fortune 500 companies including IBM, Panasonic, Allergan, Experian, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), Kimberly-Clark, Home Depot, and Biosense Webster, a division of Johnson & Johnson. Robert Rivenbark’s novel, The Cloud, won First Place in the science fiction category in the San Antonio Writers Guild 27th Annual Writing Contest in February 2019. It was published in August 2022 from Story Merchant Books. He subsequently secured exclusive representation from Hollywood literary manager Ken Atchity of the Story Merchant and Atchity Productions. The novel is in development as a TV series with Atchity. Robert will expand The Cloud into a novel trilogy, also suitable for screen adaptation. He is the co-author with Elizabeth Rockett of Theodora, an epic historical dramatic TV series about the most powerful Roman Empress in history, who co-ruled with her husband Justinian. The series is in development with Atchity. Robert won two advertising awards, a Gold Icon for Best Direct Marketing Campaign for Seagull Scientific Software and a Best-In-Class Award for a Commercial Real Estate Multimedia Campaign for Jones Lang La Salle (JLL). Additionally, Robert has co-written a feature psychological thriller with Elizabeth Rockett and has been tapped by Atchity to co-write two other epic historical series. The link for the The Cloud is: www.thecloudnovel.com. About Awakened Nation: Fueled by the passion to ignite game-changing conversations, award-winning author Brad Szollose created Awakened Nation—a podcast dedicated to deeper conversations with today's outliers and cutting edge entrepreneurs, idea makers and disruptors, bestselling authors, activists, healers, spiritual leaders, professional athletes, celebrities, politicians and rock stars...conversations that take a deep dive into the extraordinary. This podcast will challenge your beliefs. Think Art Bell meets Joe Rogan.