Let's Talk AI with Mystery Novelist Linda Lovely

The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center will host an evening with mystery novelist Linda Lovely, author of A Killer App (An HOA Mystery), on Wednesday, November 29, at 6:00 p.m., at the Conroy Center (601 Bladen St., Beaufort). Books will be available for sale and signing. Please call to reserve your seat in advance: 843-379-7025.

In keeping with the themes and plot of her newest novel, Linda will also be discussing AI (Artificial Intelligence) and its implications for writers and readers.

About A KILLER APP Kylee Kane, a security consultant for Welch HOA Management, finds the first victim, Andy Fyke, crumpled at the bottom of a flight of stairs. Kylee suspects his fall's no accident and is tied to Andy's campaign to prohibit rentals in his Hilton Head Island community. Yet, Andy's obvious enemies have ironclad alibis. When another Lowcountry HOA retiree dies in a hit-and-run boat tragedy, Kylee begins to think the incidents are linked-even though the victims and their assailants have little in common.

The link is the Chameleon, an Artificial Intelligence expert, who can create a deepfake of almost anyone-living or dead. Even more frightening is the Chameleon's ability to seek out disturbed souls and laser-focus their rage. A talent employed to compel subjects to act as surrogate assassins. When Kylee begins to pursue the Chameleon, the AI expert decides it's time to groom an assassin to permanently sideline Kylee.

A Killer App is Linda Lovely's eleventh mystery/suspense novel. Whether she's writing cozy mysteries, historical suspense or contemporary thrillers, her novels share one common element-smart, independent heroines. Humor and romance also sneak into every manuscript. Her work has been recognized as a finalist by such prestigious awards as RWA's Golden Heart for Romantic Suspense and Thriller Nashville's Silver Falchion for Best Cozy Mystery. A long-time member of Sisters in Crime and former chapter president, Lovely also belongs to Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. She lives on a lake in Upstate South Carolina with her husband, and enjoys swimming, tennis, gardening, long walks, and, of course, reading.

As part of her discussion of AI, Lovely will also address: What prompted her to create a villain with expertise in AI? How did she investigate the tools at the disposal of an AI-savvy bad actor? How does AI respond if you ask it about potential perils for humanity…and benefits? How does AI impact authors? What’s the immediate impact for authors in regard to publishing contracts and copyright infringement? Are there legitimate and ethical ways for authors to use AI? How many books are currently being generated by AI and sold in competition with human author creations? What did the screen writers win in their strike against the studios? What protections exist for cover artists and designers? How can readers determine if the books they’re considering buying are AI-generated? Why should they care? What does AI mean long-term for the publishing world?