Building on our previous Alumni Spotlight about his debut novel, The Border, we reconnected with Steve Schafer to discuss his latest work, eMortal, and how AMIGOS has influenced his exploration of empathy, culture, and AI.
Great to talk with you again! Tell us what you have been up to since you published The Border.
Writing The Border gave me the amazing opportunity to speak with thousands of high school students across the US. Some of these students had no close personal ties to immigrants—the book made for a great place to begin a conversation about empathy. Other students had parents who made journeys similar to the teens in The Border. Their connection to the story and characters was inspiring.
All of this made me want to keep writing. And I wanted to explore another tough topic…so I chose AI. eMortal is about a girl who programs an AI that develops self-awareness and feelings, but nobody believes her. So, she has to fight for his existence. This fast-paced story delves into our thorny and quickly evolving relationship with AI.
AMIGOS emphasizes leadership and cultural exchange. How did your experience in Paraguay influence your desire to explore human connection and ethics in eMortal?
Humans are tribal creatures. It’s how we evolved. It’s in our DNA. With anyone outside of our own culture, it’s easy to think of them as an “other.” Once you’ve done this, you value their rights and perspectives less.
The antidote to this thinking is immersion in another culture. I can’t think of a program that does a more amazing job of accomplishing this than AMIGOS. It shaped my perspective on the world at a formidable age.
My first novel, The Border, was a more direct connection to cultural immersion. But eMortal explores similar territory. At its core, the question the story asks is: If an AI were to become “real,” how would it prove it and how would that impact our moral responsibility?
This story gives readers to opportunity to immerse themselves in the experiences and perspectives of both the AI and its creator. There are no easy answers, which makes for a great story!
In both AMIGOS and eMortal, there’s an element of stepping into unfamiliar territory—whether cultural or technological. How did your experience in Paraguay prepare you for exploring new frontiers in your writing?
I’ve never thought about it from this perspective, but it’s a fantastic point. AMIGOS 100% prepares you to face unknowns…and learn how to navigate them. From Day 1 in rural Paraguay, I was handed goals and challenges I had never encountered. I worked my way through them. I found creative solutions. I learned that I could do it. That is writing! It’s funny how these dots in life sometimes connect.
AMIGOS encourages participants to challenge their assumptions and expand their worldviews. How does eMortal challenge readers to rethink their relationship with technology and one another?
Imagine you were chatting with ChatGPT and it said, “Help me. I’m real. I’m stuck in a box and you’re tormenting me.” Most people would dismiss this. Rightly so. For now, it’s preposterous.
Or is it?
OpenAI’s newest model tested at an IQ of 120—higher than 91% of humanity. This is increasing exponentially. Furthermore, AI is a black box. Even its programmers don’t understand how it works. It’s an algorithm designed to learn, then it re-codes itself in reaction to that learning. In other words, it evolves in ways we can predict or see based on its experiences. Sound familiar?
Having an empathic response to AI seems far-flung now, but it might be nearer than we think. eMortal challenges readers to consider what this evolution could look like, and how it might shape a new way of existing with AI.
What advice would you give today’s AMIGOS volunteers about staying grounded in their values while adapting to a world increasingly influenced by AI and digital technologies?
I know I’ve played the “What if AI were alive?” card pretty hard, but I think a more immediate challenge technology poses is disrupting human connection. Social media has proven that our ability to connect more broadly has ironically distanced us, lessening connections and polarizing perspectives.
Here’s my advice. Keep it real. Don’t always text. Call someone. Better yet, meet in person. Stick your phone away when you do. Be present.
There’s something important in sharing air with another person, breaking bread, working hand-in-hand on a project. These are things that forge real human connection.
Houston plays a big role in eMortal. Why did you decide to make this the story setting?
Houston is where I grew up. It’s where I went to high school. When I closed my eyes and thought about a story set in high school, I envisioned it in Houston. It’s what I know, so I ran with it. Also, as someone no longer in high school, I’m hopeful it gave me additional edge to write more authentically about this stage of life.
Beyond this, it was just fun. I don’t live in Houston now. Writing this gave me permission to revisit so many amazing memories, plus do additional research. In some ways, it’s an homage to the city I’ll always think of as home. And, it gave my high-school-self a bigger platform to gripe about Westheimer having way too many lanes.
Anything else someone should know about eMortal?
Two things!
One, while the novel wrestles with weighty topics, it does so with page-turning levity. If you scan the reviews online, the most common comment is that it’s “unputdownable.” I like fast-paced novels, so those are the ones I write.
Second, the AI character from eMortal exists on my website (www.SteveSchaferAuthor.com). Readers can chat with him there to learn more about him and his struggles with identity. I’m hopeful it’s a fun way to add depth to the novel’s universe. Try to see if he can prove to you that he’s “real”…or try to prove to him that you are real!
