Swift Six Character Interview – Kira #ScienceFiction

Character Name

Kira Vanden Brink

Which book/world do you live in?

I make my debut appearance in Paradox which is Book One of The Singularity Chronicles. It’s an adventure in which I work, first to animate my mother’s consciousness in an AI and then to desperately find the missing component to make her human.

Tell us about yourself:

I’m an AI researcher following this path because my father attempted to upload my mother into an AI right before she died of Cancer. The problem is, it’s more difficult to make this sentient than many expected. So I studied AI throughout college and then worked for an elite research group where I continued to develop AI. I ended up reconciling with my dad (long story there) and joined his group, Gaia Innovations where I continue to study AI in the hopes of bringing mother back.

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

I’m kind of an eternal optimist about what AI can do for humanity and I often lose myself in my work. The challenge is, that I sometimes get so focused on the problem that it makes it hard to solve by myself.

Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods, etc).

I’d have to say my best friend Alex is a critical person in my life through a lot of the ups and downs. He’s a fantastic all-around person and a wiz with security which helps a lot.  I have to say though, without my brother Noah, I’d never have been able to solve the problem of a sentient AI. The research and support of Gaia Innovations was also crucial to the success of both a sentient AI as well as ending the battle against AI.

What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?

I think Alex demonstrates that the best when he steps up to do what he knows is right and ends up sacrificing himself even though he’s not really on either side of the battle.

What do you think of your ‘creator’?

Just like any creation, I can see elements of my creator as well as the influences of those he surrounds himself with. I feel like like a projection or a character as much as a child.

Give us your favorite piece of advice:

The fastest way to fail is to think you can, or should, do it by yourself.  It’s a lesson I have to learn in Paradox. It’s just surprising who stepped up and solved the problem with me.

Links to book

Amazon: https://amzn.to/49YrsWZ

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/paradox-michael-woudenberg/1143812868?ean=2940160751788

Everywhere else: https://books2read.com/u/mvNDQz

Facebook Reader’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6034816526586582