Francesca Nicolaides, a 21-year-old student at ARU Peterborough, is celebrating the release of her first novel, The Animator’s Code, on 27 October. The book, available in paperback and Kindle, delves into complex questions surrounding artificial intelligence, consciousness, and human-AI relationships.
Nicolaides, who lives in Alconbury, began writing the novel inspired by the rapid advancements in AI and the concept of digital existence. The story explores themes such as emotional connections with conversational AI, corporate control over autonomous systems, and the nature of personhood.
“"For a long time, artificial intelligence felt incredibly science-fiction to me – something that existed in the distant future rather than something we would actually be able to speak to and interact with in our everyday lives. Then suddenly, that future arrived."
The author explained that her fascination with simulated realities, influenced by works like The Matrix, led her to consider the creation of consciousness and existence within a digital world. She described the book as an attempt to make sense of the world through fiction, tackling profound questions about consciousness, reality, and humanity's place within it.
Initially a personal project, Nicolaides decided to approach publishers after becoming fully absorbed in the writing process. She expressed her excitement at receiving an offer, acknowledging the challenges first-time authors face in getting published. She is already working on a sequel and hopes the novel might one day be adapted into a film.
Alongside her writing career, Nicolaides has commenced her studies on the BEd (Hons) Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) course at ARU Peterborough. She highlighted the rewarding nature of teaching, focusing on nurturing children's growth and potential, and the variety offered by primary education.
The Animator’s Code is published by Cranthorpe Millner and priced at £10.99. ARU Peterborough is a collaboration between Anglia Ruskin University, Peterborough City Council, and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
