Stockbridge Author Explores AI in New Novel

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50PM / Saturday, April 06, 2024Print Story | Email Story

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Author Joan Cohen's debut novel focused on the difficult intersection of personal decision-making and data; her second takes it a step further by questioning whether the data we depend on is even real.

In "The Deepfake," protagonist Sylvie uncovers corporate malfeasance while working for an artificial intelligence company in Boston. And when she falls in love with someone who fears and hates AI, she begins to question everything she knows.

Cohen wants the novel to start a conversation surrounding AI by illustrating Sylvie's inner conflict.

"In 'The Deepfake,' I'm very troubled about how we proceed. It's a very hard issue. So, I wanted to make my readers think about that," Cohen said.

"I wanted them to see somebody struggling with it … So it's not as if it's a cocktail party conversation and then she goes home and puts on a TV. She is living this and being torn about it."

Cohen draws from her own background in marketing and as an executive for technology companies, and a corporate decision that she refused to condone because it "felt borderline illegal."

The novel also explores other ethical and sensitive topics such as people-pleasing, sexual assault, and other prevalent issues in society.

"When I write, perhaps like a lot of people, I don't know if it's like a lot of writers, I procrastinate. I avoid sitting down and doing the hard work and I find that writing about some moral issue or ethical issue keeps me in my seat. It's interesting," she said.

AI allows people to put very convincing images or videos of others on the internet doing or saying things they did not do, Cohen said, and while she doesn't know the answers, discussions need to start happening on the impact this technology has and possible safeguards.

She's heard people she considers intelligent and educated say they don't understand AI or that they are not going to worry about it yet.

"I'm just surprised to hear that they don't know that it's already here and that they don't know that they're using it necessarily, but they are," she said. "And it's something that we should be jubilant about and it's something that we should be terrified of. Those are two difficult states to be in at the same time."

She does have "one terrible fear" about AI and it is not robots taking over the world -- it is conspiracy theories and the speed of disinformation.

"My hope is that people who are a lot smarter and more knowledgeable than I am are thinking about how to solve some of these problems. If they're not, I mean, that's pretty scary," she said.

"I don't know who reads my book, but I just hope it gets people thinking and I hope it gets them going to the internet, as I have and reading articles by experts because we have different opinions from one another. But that's how we solve problems."

Cohen's father encouraged her to read the op-ed pages in newspapers because they had a range of views, she continued. "That was very good advice but when I look back on it, it seems quaint."

Today there isn't an op-ed page, rather people look up topics online and will get information supporting the point of view they already have, Cohen said. It's confirmation bias, she noted, where you take in all the facts that support the point of view that you already have and reject all the facts that don't support it.

"We might go to MSNBC on TV, if we prefer something that is more liberal, or we might go to Fox, we prefer something that's more conservative," she said. "I mean, yes, there are a few newspapers left but I don't think they're long for this world. That's critical thinking though."

Cohen said she learned about how to persuade people during her careers and it was interesting to see how people's perception changed.

"Then when I left the technology world, I drew on a lot of what I had seen, and some of it was wonderful and some of it was not so wonderful," she said. "Some of it was people who took advantage of the system and often they were very high up in companies. It's kind of 'what can I get away with' and 'this is business' and 'this is what we do. So, don't be a Girl Scout.'"

Sylvie is a people pleaser, and she is not aware of the downside of it. This trait leads her to "some very sticky ethical situations," Cohen said. "I don't think it's sexist to say that that's much more common among women than men because of how we're raised."

Cohen hopes that young people will read her book and think about whether they have people-pleasing tendencies and how it affects their life.

"I have kids, obviously, they're grown and I don't know if they've learned from my books. I think all kids believe their parents are born 40. I have two minds about that. I would like to think that I'm having a positive impact on young people but, I truly don't know," she said.

Cohen and her husband have had a vacation home in the Berkshires since 1977 and moved to the area full time when they retired about seven years ago.

The people, atmosphere, and cultural venues prevent her brain from going stale, she said, because they draw a range of people and the community is welcoming to newcomers.

"Lots of interesting people, lots of interesting conversations," she said.

Her debut novel, "Land of Last Chances," a 2019 finalist for the National Indie Excellence Awards, delved into the life of an executive facing a late-life pregnancy and a genetic conundrum.

Cohen will sign books at the Pittsfield Barnes & Noble on Saturday, April 20, at 1 p.m. and a launch party will take place at The Bookstore in Lenox on May 4 at 4 p.m.

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Rain Slows Growth of Butternut Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:35PM / Thursday, November 21, 2024

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— Rain has slowed the Butternut Fire's growth but it's estimated at about 1,200 acres at this point.

It's the largest wildfire in the Berkshires since nearly a 1,000 acres burned in Clarksburg State Forest back in 2021.

"We want to start with some good news. Ground patrols are finding minimal new fire activity since this morning's rains began," the Great Barrington Fire Department posted on its Facebook page at 12:45 p.m..

"We want to reiterate that the rain will not extinguish the fire but it is helping to stop the spread. The weather has also delayed some of the drone operations — as a result we do not have an official size. What we do know — the growth has been minimal."

Fire Lt. Brian Mead earlier Thursday morning said the fire had seen some growth overnight but not to extent of Wednesday's surge. Fire was reported within a quarter mile of homes and was "stopped in its tracks." There are now more than 100 personnel on the ground and there has been one injury related to the fire, which he did not elaborate on.

"The rain will help to some extent but it will not extinguish the fire," said Mead. "We will remain on scene for the days and weeks to come but we still need your help. Please, please follow the local and state bans on outdoor fire. The last thing we need is another preventable fire."

At 4 p.m., the department reported that it will continue to operate under unified command with support from local, state, and federal agencies. Friday's operations will be scaled back with smaller crews and focused on monitoring and reporting.

At the last live update of the day, Mead said the fire would continue to be monitored and fire crews dispatched as needed.

"There is a lot of misinformation on out social media and we ask that you please, please rely on local official sites," he said. "Please avoid the areas and allow us to do our work."

The rain and smoke has made drone monitoring difficult so the exact size of the fire is not known; he estimated it grew about 100 acres over the past 24 hours.

Two rumors he dispelled were that the fire did not start at Camp Eisner. Mead said the initial location of the burn has not been identified but it did not start at the camp, which is occupied. Ski Butternut is also not in danger and that fire crews have kept the blaze to a safe distance.

A section of the Appalachian Trail has been affected and that area shut down.

Thursday's rain slowed growth and allowed crews to establish strong fire boundaries meaning that swaths have been cut and cleared to create fire breaks — which are holding.

At this time, no homes or structures are in immediate danger.

The fire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain was first reported Monday evening. On Tuesday, it spread over 100 acres, and on Wednesday, it covered over 1,100 acres, expanding into Sheffield.

The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.

Firefighters were dispatched to three locations for concerns of fire extension into homes and in one instance, the fire was allowed to continue in a controlled state to a driveway and self-extinguished. They are aware of one injury from the fire and urge community members to avoid the area and leave firefighting to the professionals.

"More than 120 personnel are on the ground today fighting this fire," Mead reported on Thursday morning.

He said the day’s rain will help to some extent but will not extinguish the fire, explaining "We will remain on scene for the days and weeks to come."

At this time, the primary focus remains the protection of life and property, as patrols and alert residents identified some encroaching fire and stopped it in its tracks.

"We have strategically placed structural task forces, prepared to protect homes and property. Although they are staged and at the ready — there is NO immediate threat to residents," the department wrote in the 12:45 update.

"At the same time, crews have been working through the rain cutting fire breaks in the forest to further stop any expansion. Those control lines are holding."

Area residents can expect smoke to linger for the next several days. The Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative released guidance for the poor air quality, as it can worsen allergies and cause respiratory infections, especially for those with heart disease asthma, or other lung diseases.

Residents are urged to monitor air quality and symptoms, move outdoor activities inside, wear a KN-95 mask when outdoors, close windows and vents in homes, and use HEPA filters.

Even with recent rains — there is a burn ban in Great Barrington until further notice. Additionally, state officials are evaluating week by week for statewide bans.

"With an immense amount of appreciation, we are not accepting donations at this time. In true New England fashion — neighbors have truly helped neighbors," the department wrote. "We are grateful to the community for once again showing your support."

Mead urged the community to "please please follow the local and state bans on fire, the last thing we need is another preventable fire."