An Artificial Intelligence Novel: A Matt, Ashley, Bud, and the General Book

By Harry Katzan Jr.

This is a novel about Artificial Intelligence. As unusual as it sounds, there is a very good reason for its existence. There are existing books on the subject that are very good but are very difficult to read. It’s that simple. The concepts are complicated and some require complex math. This book intended for enjoyment with some valuable information in-between. No math or previous knowledge is required; just sit back and read.

Artificial Intelligence is here to stay this time. It’s a third try to bring then the subject to the forefront. It is here for the future, and it is here to stay because the world needs it. We are in the midst of war, preparation for defense, a dismal economic outlook, crime, killing, and so forth. We need it because if we continue the way we are going, we won’t be going anywhere for very long. Practically everything is disarray. Just name them: violence, shady politics, global warming, discrimination, abortion, women’s birth problems, men’s cancer. What is the solution? It is twofold. Equitably use the information we have and permit the human race to communicate and act in a reasonable manner. Through Artificial Intelligence, often referred to as AI, we have the key to managing our lives on a daily basis – worldwide.

Instead of business and government leaders having to tell us what they are going to do, we can and will be addressing that subject through AI.

AI is a systems concept, not a single piece of software you can buy at a local store. Can you imagine a kid telling you they have computers and AI, meaning software apps.

So, here is what we are providing to you with in this book. A straightforward description of the subject of AI embedded in an easy-to-read novel. Even if you don’t like AI, you will love the novel. The major characters are Matt Miller, who has a PhD from a prestigious university, his wife Ashley, also a professor, who is a dramatic woman with an ingenious mind, and General Les Miller, Matt’s grandfather, who is a former a war-hero pilot and the founder of a very profitable business. Matt uses his mathematical thinking to solve complex problem, with the assistance of Ashley, and the leadership of the General. This time, we have a new person on the team. It is a Marine Corp officer who will delight you.

The book is not expensive and something you would enjoy giving to a relative or friend. The book adheres to the author’s principle of no sex, no violence, and no bad language. It is accessible to all readers.

PS: The book contains an AI index and an AI report at the tail end. Now you can really enjoy it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781663258250

Harry Katzan Jr.

Harry Katzan, Jr. is a professor who has written several books and many papers on computers and service, in addition to some novels. He has been a advisor to the executive board of a major bank and a general consultant on various disciplines. He and his wife have lived in Switzerland where he was a banking consultant and a visiting professor. He is an avid runner and has completed 94 marathons including Boston 13 times and New York 14 times. He holds bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees.

Book preview

AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE NOVEL

A MATT, ASHLEY, BUD, AND THE GENERAL BOOK

Copyright © 2023 Harry Katzan Jr.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

iUniverse

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-6632-5824-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-5823-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-5825-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023922470

iUniverse rev. date: 11/22/2023

For Margaret Now and Forever

With Love and Affection

Introduction

This is a novel about Artificial Intelligence. As unusual as it sounds, there is a very good reason for its existence. There are existing books on the subject that are very good but are very difficult to read. It’s that simple. The concepts are complicated and some require complex math. This book intended for enjoyment with some valuable information in-between. No math or previous knowledge is required; just sit back and read.

Artificial Intelligence is here to stay this time. It’s a third try to bring then the subject to the forefront. It is here for the future, and it is here to stay because the world needs it. We are in the midst of war, preparation for defense, a dismal economic outlook, crime, killing, and so forth. We need it because if we continue the way we are going, we won’t be going anywhere for very long. Practically everything is disarray. Just name them: violence, shady politics, global warming, discrimination, abortion, women’s birth problems, men’s cancer. What is the solution? It is twofold. Equitably use the information we have and permit the human race to communicate and act in a reasonable manner. Through Artificial Intelligence, often referred to as AI, we have the key to managing our lives on a daily basis – worldwide.

Instead of business and government leaders having to tell us what they are going to do, we can and will be addressing that subject through AI.

AI is a systems concept, not a single piece of software you can buy at a local store. Can you imagine a kid telling you they have computers and AI, meaning software apps.

So, here is what we are providing to you with in this book. A straightforward description of the subject of AI embedded in an easy-to-read novel. Even if you don’t like AI, you will love the novel. The major characters are Matt Miller, who has a PhD from a prestigious university, his wife Ashley, also a professor, who is a dramatic woman with an ingenious mind, and General Les Miller, Matt’s grandfather, who is a former a war-hero pilot and the founder of a very profitable business. Matt uses his mathematical thinking to solve complex problem, with the assistance of Ashley, and the leadership of the General. This time, we have a new person on the team. It is a Marine Corp officer who will delight you.

The book is not expensive and something you would enjoy giving to a relative or friend. The book adheres to the author’s principle of no sex, no violence, and no bad language. It is accessible to all readers.

Enjoy it if you can,

The Author

PS: The book contains an AI index and an AI report at the tail end. Now you can really enjoy it.

Contents

Introduction

Part 1

The New Man on the Team

Chapter 1 The News Announcement

Chapter 2 The First Interview

Chapter 3 Some of Bud’s Activities

Chapter 4 The Secret Meeting

Chapter 5 The New Assignment

Chapter 6 The Promotion

Part 2

The General, Matt and Ashley

Chapter 7 About the General

Chapter 8 Matt, Ashley and the General

Chapter 9 The General Goes to London

Chapter 10 The Queen

Chapter 11 The First Lady

Part 3

The Major Problem

Chapter 12 Getting Started

Chapter 13 The Electric Plane

Chapter 14 The People

Chapter 15 The Luncheon

Chapter 16 Artificial Intelligence Report

Chapter 17 The Organization Plan

Chapter 18 The General’s Home

Part 4

The Hard Work Begins

Chapter 19 The Work Begins

Chapter 20 Matt, Bud and Ashley

Chapter 21 Back at the General’s Home

Chapter 22 The Basic Things

Chapter 23 Thinking

Chapter 24 Learning

Chapter 25 The Advisor Model

Chapter 26 ELIZA and Friends

Chapter 27 Looking at the State of Affairs

Chapter 28 A Quick Look at ChatGPT

Part 5

Modern Artificial Intelligence

Chapter 29 Getting Started

Chapter 30 Machine Learning with Types of AI

Chapter 31 Cognitive Computing

Chapter 32 Artificial Intelligence Final Report

Part 6

The Conclusion

Chapter 33 Collecting the Data

Chapter 34 The Plan

Chapter 35 Wrapping It Up

Chapter 36 The Honors

Chapter 37 The Final Reports

Appendix Philosophical Basis of Artificial Intelligence

About This Novel

About the Author

Books By Harry Katzan, Jr.

PART 1

The New Man on the Team

CHAPTER 1

The News Announcement

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. This is QRS nation-wide news. My name is Chet Atkins. We have breaking news. Atkins was visually shaken. He was usually as cool as a cucumber.

William ‘Bud’ Lewis has joined the Marine Corp and the business and sports areas are in a state of complete shock. For those of you that are not sports fans, Bud Lewis is the 3-time all-American football player who holds every record that exists for a college football quarterback. His records include touchdown passes, completed passes, total yards, yards for points when quarterback, individual touchdowns, and a record low of interceptions while setting the world’s college record for completions. Atkins started to perspire from the stress.

"And ladies and gentlemen, he was expected to be the number one draft choice in the NFL and was thought to be the number one selection of the Cleveland Browns. His first year’s salary was expected to be $10 million and to grow in succeeding years. The entire business community is also upside down. When he graduates early next month, he will be commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and enter pilot training.

Atkins hesitated, There will be more news of Bud Lewis in our scheduled evening news. This is Chet Atkins signing off.

At NFL headquarters, the Director called a a meeting of his top staff to postpone the draft of players for two weeks. No one objected. The idea was to give the teams a chance to reset their draft plans. Still, no one said a word.

The New York stock exchange shut down for an hour, having nothing to do with the financial markets. Employees were just standing around talking about the Bud Lewis situation.

CHAPTER 2

The First Interview

Good morning everyone, announced Margaret White, the moderator of the morning TV show entitled Good Morning America along with Jenney Rogers, her daytime entertainment partner. Both were experienced TV people.

‘We are going to have a surprise guest today, and you, our faithful audience, are the first to hear and see, of course, our guest on live TV. Today we have Kathryn Lewis, wife of Bud Lewis, who appears to be our national hero. So here she is Kathryn Lewis.

Kathryn Lew walked onto the TV stage with an enormous reaction. She was trim and slightly tall. A beautiful woman, tanned, and confident as she crossed the stage.

Thank you everyone – Margaret and Jenney, our local audience, and people everywhere. I’m here to answer you questions about Bud, my husband, and give an explanation of why I and not he is here today.

Both Margaret and Jenney were totally surprised to have a guest who was right at home on stage.

Thank you Kathryn, said Jenney. We are more than pleased to have you with us. I might as well start out with an unusual question. Why were we unable to schedule Bud while you were so accommodating?"

Once Bud signed with the Marine Corp, he was required to follow the rule that no interviews are permitted without permission of the commanding General., said Kathryn. Bud is the marine’s responsibility, and it protects the personnel as well as the nation. However, I am free to be here and to be interviewed.

How long have you been married, and when were you married? asked Margaret.

It’s an interesting story, said Kathryn. So, I’ll tell you about it. Bud always loved airplanes, and when he was a teenager, he got a part time job with a pilot training school to teach math to the students in the program. In the process, he earned his pilot’s license and instrument rating. When he went to college, he had to join ROTC and chose the Air Force. There were only two options: the army and the air force. Between his third and fourth years, he had to go to boot camp and we were married when he returned. We knew each other for a long time. Then when he received his commission, he chose the Marine Corp. He could have gone to any of the services or the reserves. So we have been married a little less than one year."

Did you know he would choose the military full-time, asked Margaret.

I did not, but both of us agreed to support each other, replied Kathryn.

What about his education and also yours?" asked Jenney.

Bud majored in math, history, and the piano. I majored in English with an emphasis on creative writing., replied Kathryn.

The piano? asked Margaret. What would a football star be doing with the piano?

He just liked it, answered Kathryn. He would go to the music building and practice very early in the morning so as not to disturb the place. He is really good at both classical and popular. I have a story about that. Do we have the time?"

Of course, said Margaret. We have special permission to run as long as we have information and our sponsors were overjoyed.

We liked to entertain and not only on the football field, said Kathryn. He entertained at Sorority and Fraternity parties, free of charge, and once gave a fund-raising concert for the university. The girls loved him, but he had me.

What about you? asked Jenney. He will be away some of the time.

I will go with him if he is stationed in another country, such Germany, answered Kathryn. I have my own work to do. I am an author and have written several books already under a pen name."

Well, what are your plans for the future?" Asked Margaret.

It will be military, answered Kathryn. He wants to be a General more than anything and that is why he choose the Marine Corp over football. He’s not the first person to do that. There is an NFL football player in Arizona who quit football and joined the Army.

And with that, the interview ended with a joyous ‘Thank you’.

CHAPTER 3

Some of Bud’s Activities

Good morning everyone, said Margaret White, moderator of the Good Morning America show. She was sitting on the set with Jenney Rogers, her co-host. "We have a special show today. Our guest is Kathryn Lewis, the wife of now Lt. Colonel ‘Bud’ Lewis in the Marine Corp.

It’s been awhile since we had you on camera; how have you and Bud been Kathryn?

We are quite well, said Kathryn. We’ve lived practically all over the world and achieved quite a good record of military achievement and literary acclaim. Bud is now a Lieutenant Colonel and had a world of achievement and success and I have become a best selling New York author. Things have changed dramatically due to ongoing world events. Bud has accomplished a few things that I am now permitted to tell you and all of America.

Do you mean military achievements? asked Margaret.

Exactly, said Kathryn. For example, the case of Larry Flowers being captured by the Russians during an overflight ostensibly taking spy pictures of their country has permitted me to talk about Bud’s over flights since the cat is out of the bag. In the case of Flower’s flights, he for one, did not actually know what he was doing. They just said flight to this point and turn around and come back. It could be he had cameras not known to him or maybe there was no cameras at all. It was the cold war and all kinds of strategies were in place.

Well America, said Margaret. I think we are in for some interesting surprises.

Bud has become an accomplished fighter pilot. To assist the Army, he has been asked, ordered, or volunteered to make over flights to all kinds of places - even combat zones. If the army needed support, Bud was there to provide that support.

Bud is able to fly most fighter jets from the early F-15 to the F-22 Raptor, added Kathryn. He says he might have flown secret missions. Who knows. Just do what you are ordered to do. Here is how it works, but even that might not be true.

They have a pilot totem pole, with the best at the top. When a mission comes up, the pilot on the top is asked if he wants to do it. He may also be ordered to do it. If he declines, then the offer goes to the next person on the totem pole. If you turn down too many, you are out. Again, even that might not be true. If you have accomplished a mission and didn’t like it too much, you could refuse to take it again.

Now he is a good story that was in the news, and that was where I heard of it, continued Kathryn. "Bud never told me if it was him or not. I asked him if it was him, and he said I would never know. It was the bombing of Libya. They modified an F-18 to have a second seat, for a person to drop bombs. The plane took off from someplace far away, in great danger, flew to Libya, and dropped the bomb or even more than one. Two men volunteered and the senior officer got to drop the bombs. The driver was mad because he wanted to drop the bombs but it went to the other guy. The actual pilot, the driver as I called him, never said a word during the whole flight. He was more than angry. They were successful and it became an international incident.

Do you have any more stories? asked Margaret.

I have another that is not the same, replied Kathryn. Do we have the time?

As before, we have time, said Jenney with a big smile. This was good for their ratings. Kathryn was a money maker for the network.

In the Marine Corp, Bud was a hero. Possibly, this together with other missions, military schools, and academic work – he has a masters and doctorate degrees – got him eventually to the rank of full Colonel. Personally, he is only one promotion to become his objective of being a General officer."

That’s quite a story, said Margaret. But what about you Kathryn? I see your name frequently in the New York Times book section.

I’ve been blessed, said Kathryn. My extensive travel, free time, and prior education, have given me the opportunity to become a best-selling author.

What’s next? asked Jenney.

I cannot honestly say, said Kathryn. Most assignments are classified.

Have you been happy with your life, asked Margaret.

‘I am happier than I ever thought I would be, relied Kathryn. We haven’t had any children, but we both have time. Both of us are in good health and are in