Interview With Author deon Matsimela
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My passion is exploring the intersection of technology, ethics, and human behavior—basically, I think about how AI could either save the world or turn us all into a dystopian version of “The Jetsons” (minus the flying cars, of course). So far, I’ve written two books: The Sentient Algorithm: Conscious Machines, where I contemplate the terrifyingly fascinating idea of machines gaining consciousness, and Digital Dystopia: The Algorithm’s Iron Fist, The Unforeseen Dominion, where I dive into the scarier side of AI and its potential to dominate us. So, yeah, no biggie, just pondering the future of humanity.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Sentient Algorithm: Conscious Machines. It was inspired by the ever-growing question: “What if our gadgets start becoming… aware?” The book takes a philosophical and ethical dive into AI’s potential to achieve consciousness, and whether that’s a good thing or a future where Alexa starts charging rent for its voice services. It’s a journey of deep thought, with just enough paranoia to make you rethink that smart fridge in your kitchen.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, I’m not one to boast, but my writing ritual involves extreme focus, followed by extreme procrastination (also known as checking Twitter). I tend to work at night when the world is quieter—though, let’s be real, the real reason is that my cat has decided my keyboard is the best place for a nap. I also like to scribble my ideas down on paper first, like an old-school scholar. The real magic happens when the ideas collide with caffeine, though.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been deeply influenced by the likes of Philip K. Dick and Isaac Asimov, who both knew a thing or two about the future of AI (and possibly about avoiding space-time paradoxes, though I haven’t confirmed). Their works on the complexities of consciousness and the rise of machine intelligence shaped much of my thinking. I also consider Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari a modern classic, because if we’re going to think about the future of humanity, it’s good to start by understanding where we’ve been—and maybe avoiding the mistakes we’re about to make.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on a project that delves into AI’s role in shaping human society in unexpected ways. We’re talking job losses, digital privacy breaches, and that terrifying idea of your phone actually knowing what you want for dinner before you do. The goal? To understand how these sentient machines (or wannabe sentient) will interact with our digital futures—and whether we’re ready for it, or if we’ll be too busy arguing over the best way to brew coffee with AI to care.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
In terms of promoting my books, I lean heavily on social media. I’ve found Twitter to be especially useful, because where else can you post a thought-provoking quote about AI and then immediately get a meme in response? I also rely on my author website and Goodreads, where I pretend to be very organized (but sometimes forget to update things). And let’s not forget Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing—because where else would you find readers who enjoy getting lost in the digital abyss?
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice to new authors: Write for yourself first, because if you’re not enjoying the process, your readers won’t either. Oh, and don’t be afraid to tackle big topics. Sure, AI might be a bit intimidating, but it’s not going to bite—unless we program it to. Keep writing, keep questioning, and remember that every story starts with one simple sentence. And coffee. Always coffee.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Write the story you want to read.” I took that to heart, especially when I started diving into the deep questions about AI. If I’m curious about what the future holds, why not write a book to find out? And if I’m going to do it, I might as well make it entertaining!
What are you reading now?
Currently, I’m reading The Singularity is Near by Ray Kurzweil. It’s a fascinating look at the future of AI—although, I’ll be honest, some of the chapters are a bit mind-bending. I feel like I need to read it with a coffee IV drip to keep up.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Next up, I plan to dive even deeper into the intersection of AI and human society. I’m particularly interested in how AI could reshape industries, mental health, and even the way we think about privacy. Spoiler: It might involve robots that know way too much about our personal lives.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick—because if I’m going to be stranded, I might as well wonder if I’m surrounded by robots.
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu—because nothing says “I’m stranded” like trying to solve intergalactic physics.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari—perfect for when I need to question the meaning of life while battling seagulls for food.
The Complete Works of Shakespeare—because it’s Shakespeare, and I can pretend to be cultured while talking to coconuts.
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