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Guy Morris on “The Image”: AI, Prophecy & Power Colliding
Manage episode 507846152 series 2968201
Thriller author and technologist Guy Morris returns to unpack “The Image,” the third SNO Chronicles novel blending AI risk, geopolitics, and startling historical threads—from the Image of Edessa (Shroud of Turin) to today’s digital currencies and autonomous weapons. He reveals how “Sylvia,” an AI inspired by a real NSA program, is pushing toward sentience and why the next 3–5 years could redefine human work, security, and faith. If you want an edge-of-your-seat story that also prepares you for the real future, this one’s for you.
Guest Bio:
Guy Morris is a thriller novelist and longtime tech executive whose career spans software, risk management, and large-scale systems. His SNO Chronicles series—rooted in deep research—tracks an AI named “Sylvia,” inspired by a real spy program that escaped an NSA lab, and tackles urgent themes across AI, finance, geopolitics, and spirituality. He also writes nonfiction, including the forthcoming “Humanity and the AI Tsunami: A Survival Guide.”
Main Topics:
· Why “The Image” was written and how it builds on SWARM and The Last Arc
· AI’s societal risk: jobs, finance, surveillance, and autonomous weapon systems (LAWS)
· Global macro shifts: BRICS, dollar dynamics, digital currencies, debt risk
· Prophecy and history: Image of Edessa → Shroud of Turin; Byzantium → Templars → Savoy
· Quantum leaps: teleportation experiments, black holes, and the “quantum signal” motif
· Consciousness & values: could AI hold “good” and “bad” human traits at once?
· The real “Sylvia” origin story: an NSA-linked program escape and a surprise FBI visit
· Risk management mindset: how to plan for AI-era disruptions
· Casting the series for screen; character arcs (Derek, Jen, Sylvia)
· Nonfiction spinoffs: “Humanity and the AI Tsunami: A Survival Guide”
· Alternate path: his bestselling adventure “The Curse of Cortez” (pirates, Mayan lore)
Resources mentioned:
· Guy’s site: guymorrisbooks.com (signed copies available)
· Books:
§ The Image (SNOW Chronicles #3)
§ SWARM (SNOW Chronicles #1)
§ The Last Arc (SNOW Chronicles #2)
§ The Curse of Cortez (adventure standalone)
· Concepts & orgs ref
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Chapters
1. 10 Years of the Show (00:00:00)
2. Why the third SNO book? Dangers of AI + geopolitics (00:02:24)
3. Banking shocks, BRICS, and currency shifts (00:04:17)
4. Theme: “Sometimes we need to die to learn why we live” (00:06:51)
5. The Image of Edessa → Shroud of Turin thread (00:07:28)
6. Quantum signals, teleportation, and consciousness (00:09:33)
7. Thriller tone, character stakes (Derek & Jen) (00:11:26)
8. Can Sylvia become sentient? What that means (00:11:54)
9. Conscious AI within 3–5 years? Risks & responses (00:12:37)
10. AI misalignment and machine deception in the wild (00:14:53)
11. Real origin of Sylvia: NSA escape + FBI knock at the door (00:16:37)
12. Why Guy writes these stories to prepare non-tech audiences (00:20:09)
13. Risk management: planning for what can go wrong (00:21:46)
14. [Ad] PodMatch (00:22:36)
15. (Cont.) Risk management: planning for what can go wrong (00:23:14)
16. LAWS treaty gaps and who’s building what (00:24:46)
17. Early reactions: narrator stunned by “The Image” (00:26:22)
18. Dream casting for a series adaptation (00:27:48)
19. Book 4 hints + nonfiction “AI Tsunami” guide (00:33:34)
20. From Y2K to AI: why this shift is different (00:37:40)
21. Real-world misfires: the “friendly” teen chatbot example (00:39:19)
22. The MIT/Max Tegmark pause letter & the AI arms race (00:40:59)
23. Why thrillers teach better than white papers (00:43:50)
24. Side-trip to “The Curse of Cortez” (pirates & Mayan lore) (00:46:38)
25. Where to buy: signed copies & why to buy direct (00:58:18)
26. Why “The Image” works as a standalone (01:00:09)
27. Legacy question: “Never let your past define your future” (01:02:07)
28. Book club angle: themes to debate (01:03:18)
29. Closing (01:03:48)
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