This article explains how to write science fiction about artificial intelligence. It’s not about using AI for writing purposes. If you have a program like ChatGPT write a science fiction story for you, you’re not a true writer. You’re a copy-and-paster. Don’t be a machine-dependent drone. Be an artist!
Artificial intelligence (AI) has exploded in popularity and capability over the past year or so. I probably don’t need to tell you this, since it appears on the news almost every week.
New AI platforms like ChatGPT have spurred wide-ranging reactions from experts and the general public alike. Some people are enthusiastic about the possibilities of these applications, while others are sounding a loud alarm about the potential dangers they could bring.
But I’m not here to preach or pontificate. I’m a science fiction writer. And as a writer, I want to explore the storytelling standpoints of these new technologies. Because let’s face it — whether we like it or not, AI science fiction is about to become the next big thing.
Tips for Writing AI Science Fiction
Artificial intelligence sci-fi opens up a world of possibilities for authors. It’s one of the most interesting and engaging sub-genres beneath the science-fiction umbrella. So there’s a lot to think about as you begin writing your AI story. Let’s tackle it one step at a time…
Defining the Artificial Intelligence in Your Story
You can’t write a story or novel about artificial intelligence until you know exactly what that intelligence is capable of doing. The same is true for all types of science fiction. You have to write from a position of knowledge and understanding.
In short: you need to work out the “nuts and bolts” of the AI, as it relates to your science fiction story. Here are some tips for doing exactly that.
- Start by researching current artificial intelligence technologies and how they work in the real world. This will help you develop a solid foundation for your fictional AI. This is what science fiction writers do. They start with what is already known and write about things that are not known.
- Determine what level of AI you want to use in your story. Will your AI be a fully conscious being, or just a sophisticated program? This will help you define its limitations and capabilities.
- Decide on the purpose of your AI, from a storytelling standpoint. What is its function in the story? Is it a companion, a tool, or a main character? An antagonist or villain? Main characters must serve a valid purpose in a story, and that applies to artificial intelligence characters as well.
- Consider the AI’s origin. Is it the result of a government experiment, a private corporation, or something else entirely? Knowing where the AI comes from can help you define its behavior and motivations.
- Consider the personality and behavior of your fictional AI. Will it be friendly, helpful, or malicious? Will it follow strict protocols or have more freedom to make decisions?
- Define the AI’s relationship with other characters in your story or novel. How do humans interact with the artificial intelligence? Do they see it as a tool or a living being? Do they have differing opinions on the matter that create interpersonal conflict?
- Consider the ethical implications of your AI. Will it raise questions about the nature of consciousness, free will, or autonomy? These literary explorations can add depth and complexity to your story.
- Make sure your readers understand the AI’s abilities and limitations. They need to know how your artificial intelligence came into the world, what it’s capable of doing, and what kinds of controls are in place. These things might change as the story goes on, but they need to be introduced in the beginning.
Creating a Believable AI Character
When writing science fiction, you have an opportunity to turn your artificial intelligence into a character. You also have a blank slate to work with. So let your imagination travel far and wide. Just make sure you’re being consistent from one chapter to the next.
- Give your AI character a unique personality and voice that sets them apart from human characters.
- Show how the AI character’s programming and design affects their behavior and decision-making processes. For example, if they have a strict set of rules to follow, they might struggle to make decisions that go against those rules.
- Think about the AI’s relationship with human characters in your story. Is your fictional artificial intelligence subservient to humans? Or does it view humans as equals? Does it harbor some kind of resentment or feel mistreated? How does it react to human emotions and behavior?
- Avoid making your science fiction AI character too perfect or too powerful. Show that they have limitations and flaws, just like human characters do. This will give you more avenues to pursue and explore, from a storytelling standpoint.
- Consider the physical appearance of your artificial intelligence. Is it a fully functional humanoid, able to walk around? Or does it have a more abstract form? Is it ugly, creepy, eerie or beautiful? How does its appearance affect how your human characters interact with it?
- Consider giving your sci-fi AI a detailed backstory that explains its creation and purpose. In science fiction, a good backstory can make the intelligence seem like a fully-realized character rather than a plot device.
- Finally, don’t be afraid to explore philosophical questions about AI and consciousness in your story. Sci-fi writers have been swimming in these waters for decades. So feel free to take a dip.
Creating Conflict Between Characters
All fiction needs conflict. It is the beating heart of a good story. Conflict creates drama and forces characters to act and interact. It gives characters a chance to show what they are made of, and to change throughout the story. In AI science fiction, conflict can occur between different artificial intelligences, between humans and AI, and among humans themselves. So be sure to explore all of the possibilities.
- Consider creating a power struggle between AI and humans. You could do this by creating a story where the artificial intelligence becomes more powerful than humans, leading to a struggle for control.
- Establish conflicting goals for your AI and human characters. This will plant the seeds of future conflict, allowing you to explore interesting themes like self-preservation vs. the greater good.
- Highlight the ethical concerns. If the AI is programmed to follow a strict set of rules, conflict can arise when those rules clash with ethical or moral considerations.
- Think about the AI’s evolution. If the artificial intelligence in your story evolves beyond its original programming, some of the human characters would probably find that threatening or dangerous. The question is, what would they do about it? This is another way to inject conflict into science fiction AI stories.
- Incorporate misunderstanding and mistrust. Conflict can also arise when humans fear or misunderstand an artificial intelligence, especially when the fictional AI is presented as being unpredictable or autonomous.
- Explore the consequences of dependency. If a society becomes overly reliant on AI, and something goes wrong, humans would be forced to face the consequences of their dependence. This is a good way to create internal conflict and dilemma for your sci-fi story characters.
- Introduce a villainous AI. In a science fiction story or novel, the artificial intelligence could be intentionally designed to harm humans. It could be weaponized. This would lead to direct conflict between the two sides. Think of it as a new kind of arms race.
- Focus on personal conflicts. If you really want to make your story more complex and engaging, explore the conflict that occurs between humans — not just the “human-versus-machine” conflict. Consider creating characters with different experiences and opposing viewpoints. For instance, conflict could arise between humans who support artificial intelligence and those who oppose it.
- Use physical conflict. Physical confrontations between humans and AI can provide a powerful, visceral way to show the danger of these machines. It also raises the stakes and makes the story more exciting.
Keeping Readers Engaged Until the Very End
When writing science fiction, there are certain things you can do to keep readers immersed in the story. This is the best-case scenario, because it keeps them turning the pages all the way through to the end. Here are some tips for writing a “hard-to-put-down” science fiction AI story.
- Start with a strong concept that hooks the reader. Maybe it’s a dystopian future where AI has taken over the world, or a kind of utopia where artificial intelligence and humanity work together. Whatever it is, just make sure the concept is compelling and engaging.
- Create well-rounded and relatable characters, including your AI. Readers want to connect with characters they care about, even when those characters aren’t human.
- Balance exposition and action. When writing science fiction about an artificial intelligence, you’ll eventually have to explain the rules of your fictional world. But this is a sci-fi story, not a textbook. Readers want to see these things in action, rather than having them explained all the time. So try to strike a balance between world-building and plot development.
- Use vivid and descriptive language to bring your fictional world and characters to life. This will help readers become more immersed in your story.
- Avoid over-explaining or spoon-feeding information to your readers. Trust your audience to make connections and draw their own conclusions.
- Create tension and conflict that keeps readers engaged. Whether it’s a physical conflict or a philosophical debate about the nature of AI, make sure there’s something at stake.
- Keep the pace moving. Don’t linger too long on any one scene or plot point. Avoid lengthy scientific explanations that bring the story to a halt.
- Finally, don’t be afraid to take risks and push boundaries. Great science fiction often challenges readers’ assumptions and makes them think about the world in a new way. So feel free to take your readers on a wild ride.
This isn’t a writing class and there aren’t any rules. My purpose here is to help you think more deeply about how you can incorporate AI in a science fiction capacity. I hope you have found these tips and suggestions helpful. If so, feel free to leave your comments below. Good luck and happy writing!
