Tech Leaders Draw Inspiration from Science Fiction

Tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Sam Altman, often draw inspiration from science fiction. Eliot Peper, a sci-fi novelist and business fiction writer, says tech leaders see the world as malleable, which is reflected in their interest in sci-fi. Some companies even hire writers to create private fiction for their leaders. The inspiration cycle is so strong that it has been parodied in a viral tweet about the "Torment Nexus."

Tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Sam Altman, often draw inspiration from science fiction. Eliot Peper, a sci-fi novelist and business fiction writer, explains that tech leaders see the world as malleable, which is reflected in their interest in sci-fi. Some companies even hire writers to create private fiction for their leaders. The inspiration cycle is so strong that it has been parodied in a viral tweet about the "Torment Nexus."

Peper, who dabbles in both worlds, says tech leaders are drawn to sci-fi because it matches their desire to see the world as malleable. "I think it’s very normal to treat the world you’re born into as the status quo," Peper said. "But a lot of people who work in science and tech are trying to do something new." This mindset is evident in the tech-sci-fi inspiration loop, where leaders from various industries, including tech, commission private fiction to explore future scenarios and their business implications.

The impact of this inspiration is evident in recent developments. For instance, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang expressed immense excitement for Elon Musk's AI venture, xAI, and regrets not investing more Elon Musk replies to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s comment on xAI: ‘Nice of Jensen…’^[2]. The inspiration cycle is so powerful that some companies even hire scribes to write them private fiction. Peper said that leaders from Fortune 500 companies have paid him to write speculative fiction about what the world could look like and how it could affect their business or new projects.

The influence of sci-fi extends to the broader tech landscape. For example, the pandemic boosted Zoom Communications Inc. and other businesses, followed by a stock price collapse as the pandemic waned. This unpredictability mirrors the themes often explored in sci-fi, where unexpected changes and consequences are woven into the narrative.

Moreover, the intersection of sci-fi and technology is not limited to business leaders. Storytelling is adapting to a new medium: artificial intelligence and chatbots. Peper is the "head of story" at Portola, a startup making kid-friendly AI companions called Tolans. He experiments with coding guidelines that help users and AI models cocreate backstories together.

Finally, the question remains: should sci-fi writers like Peper worry about their novels inspiring the "wrong" actions and creations? Peper accepts that he can’t control what inspiration people take from his fiction. Instead, he aims to guide readers to connect with characters who struggle in gray areas, encouraging reflection on their own lives and work.