Door into Summer and the AI revolution: an inventors dream epoch
Amidst all the discussions over AI tools that are becoming more and more commonly used due to their open-source availability, I cannot but look back into some of the science fiction stories I have enjoyed. One particular title came into mind recently, a little bit under the influence of what seems to be a bit colder, Tokyo winter. I want to take this chance to write a review of this book and comment on some parallels with AI software.
Door into Summer is a science fiction novel written by Robert A. Heinlein, first published in 1957. It tells the story of Dan Davis, an inventor who is betrayed by his business partner and put into suspended animation for thirty years, meaning he is frozen to wake up three decades later. The novel is a futuristic story set in a world where such freezing technology is available and has many uses, e.g., people with incurable diseases can wake up later when a cure for their health issues is discovered.
Dan is an engineer who has come up with revolutionary inventions, such as the “Hired Girl,” a humanoid robot serving as a “mechanical maid” that can perform a wide range of household tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, and even gardening. His best friend and girlfriend get together and steal Dan’s patents, and when he wakes up three decades later, he is determined to get his revenge.
The novel features several inventions, including Hired Girl, a “Pick-a-Back,” a robotic exoskeleton for lifting heavy objects; “Colder-than-Cold” storage, a method for preserving food and other perishable items; and “Pete,” a small, personal robot.
In terms of comparison with today’s invention of artificial intelligence, Door into Summer explores themes of technology and its impact on society that are still relevant today. The novel portrays a near future where robots are integrated into everyday life and raises questions about the ethics of their use and the consequences of relying too heavily on technology. It also touches on the idea of time travel which is still a fascinating concept in science fiction. People who are missing out on AI tools are worse than those who missed out on discovering the internet. AI has the potential to introduce revolutionary steps in our future in a short time, equivalent to what otherwise would have taken us centuries. We need to embrace it and not see it as our enemy, even though it comes with certain dangers. Even the current, preliminary versions of open-source AI tools can introduce many benefits, including efficiency and productivity, eliminating actions that can be dealt with with automation, improving decision-making, etc.
Overall, Door into Summer is a classic novel of science fiction that explores themes that are still relevant today. It’s a must-read for fans of the genre and those interested in the intersection of technology and society, particularly in the context we are living now.
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