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  • The Death and Rebirth of Book Discovery: Why Everything Changed When Readers Started Talking to Machines

    In 2019, if you wanted a book recommendation, you had three choices: ask a friend, browse a bookstore, or search Amazon. By 2025, millions of readers have adopted a fourth option that's rapidly becoming the first: asking an AI assistant to understand their exact reading desire and synthesize perfect recommendations from the entire history of human discussion about books. This shift represents more than a new marketing channel. It fundamentally changes the relationship between books and readers. When someone types "books about complicated grief that aren't depressing" into ChatGPT, they're not searching for keywords or filtering by categories. They're having a conversation about human experience, expecting intelligence rather than algorithms to respond. The implications ripple through every assumption about book marketing. Traditional SEO taught us to optimize for keywords that readers might search. Amazon optimization focused on categories, also-boughts, and velocity-driven visibility. Both assume readers know what they're looking for and need help finding it. But AI-mediated discovery assumes readers know what they feel, what they need, what they wonder about—and want help translating those human experiences into specific books. This isn't just about technology; it's about the evolution of how humans navigate infinite choice. The 100,000 books published each month create a paradox of abundance where having every option available makes choosing any single option overwhelming. AI assistants solve this by understanding context, synthesizing discussions, and matching books to readers based on actual reader experience rather than metadata. Book Discovery: AI Optimization by H. Peter Alesso

  • Monthly Published Books on Amazon

    A quick scroll through Amazon’s bookstore gives insight into how many new titles arrive daily, but quantifying it can be a daunting challenge. As of 2024 and 2025, the publishing world is more vibrant than ever, supported by growth in self-publishing, advances in print-on-demand technology, and the rise of e-books. The sheer volume of new books on Amazon monthly has steadily climbed over the past decade. In 2024, industry insiders and Bowker reports suggest that Amazon sees approximately 250,000 to 320,000 newly published titles per month, representing both self-published and traditionally published works. The number is expected to range between 270,000 and 350,000 monthly in 2025. Traditional publishers continue to contribute significant titles, especially in non-fiction and highly marketed fiction, but the most explosive growth is from self-publishing. Some estimates peg annual book creation (with ISBNs) in the United States at around 3 million, of which the lion’s share can be found on Amazon, thanks to its dominance of the online retail space. By late 2024, the monthly count had consistently exceeded a quarter million new titles, with spikes in the fall, when the publishing industry often pushes seasonal releases. This upward trend is likely to continue in 2025. Genre Breakdown Within fiction, which makes up an estimated 60% or more of monthly new releases on Amazon, there are clear trends in the major categories: Romance : The romance genre leads the way in terms of volume, especially among self-published authors. Some analysts suggest that romance accounts for as much as 40% of new indie fiction titles. Out of the roughly 150,000 or more new fiction books that appear monthly, an estimated 50,000–60,000 could be romances. Romance authors tend to produce content at an impressive rate to meet the demand of a readership that consumes books voraciously. Mysteries : Mystery and detective stories, as well as crime fiction, hold a significant share of the new releases, though not as high as romance. Between 10,000 and 20,000 new mystery titles likely find their way onto Amazon each month. Traditional publishers do hold more sway here compared to romance, but the number of indie authors in the mystery genre continues to grow. Thrillers : Although often lumped together with mystery as mystery/thriller/suspense, thrillers deserve a separate look because of their high volume. This category alone can account for another 10,000–20,000 new books monthly. Some industry estimates combine mystery and thriller output, so together they can surpass 30,000 monthly titles. Science Fiction : Sci-fi represents another significant slice of new fiction. Approximately 10,000–15,000 new science fiction titles appear monthly, with half or more coming from self-published authors who capitalize on the Kindle platform. Sci-fi subgenres such as space opera, dystopian fiction, and LitRPG have thriving indie communities that consistently produce new works. While romance, mystery, thrillers, and science fiction stand out, numerous other fiction categories (fantasy, horror, young adult, literary fiction, etc.) collectively add tens of thousands more titles each month. Combined, this complex tapestry of genres propels overall fiction publishing to at least 150,000 new titles monthly in 2024, a number anticipated to climb in 2025. Self-Published vs. Traditionally Published If one were to categorize the monthly releases between self-published and traditionally published, self-publishing remains the clear majority. By some counts, around 80% of new monthly titles on Amazon.com are generated by self-published authors, primarily via Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Traditional publishers add to the count with roughly 40,000–50,000 new titles a month, but they are overshadowed by the influx from indie authors. Official statistics from sources like Bowker illustrate that self-publishing has been growing steadily for over a decade. For example, in 2023 alone, the United States saw more than 2.6 million self-published ISBNs, compared to around 563,000 traditionally published ones. That dynamic only grows stronger in 2024 and 2025, with independent authors, small presses, and even hobbyists seizing the opportunity to launch new titles on a daily basis. The user-friendly KDP platform and Amazon’s extensive global reach encourage authors to publish with minimal barriers. Print vs. Digital The dominance of digital publishing in this era cannot be understated. Nearly every new book that appears on Amazon comes out in a Kindle version. E-books have a low cost of production and no significant inventory or shipping constraints. Coupled with an enormous Kindle readership, many authors see digital publishing as the quickest route to market. It’s not uncommon for a writer to launch their e-book first and follow up with a print-on-demand edition a short time later. Yet print is still alive and well. Thanks to print-on-demand services, self-published authors can list paperbacks or hardcovers without worrying about upfront printing or warehousing. Though more than 80% of self-published releases arrive as e-books, a good share eventually have a print version. Industry analysts estimate that around 60–70% of titles also appear in print form. Traditional publishers tend to release hardcovers and paperbacks for their titles simultaneously, so for those, print is nearly universal. The one surprising statistic, despite the digital explosion, is that print still makes up a large portion of the actual sales, at least in certain genres. Children’s books, cookbooks, and highly illustrated coffee-table books continue to thrive in physical format. Even so, in sheer number of new releases, e-books dominate each month on Amazon. AI-Generated Titles A significant emerging factor in 2024–2025 is the rise of AI-generated or AI-assisted content. Generative AI tools can now draft novels, create outlines, and provide major revisions at a fraction of the time it used to take human authors. Many writers have begun experimenting with these tools to speed up the writing process. However, AI’s involvement also raises questions of quality, originality, and disclosure. Explicitly AI-labeled : While Amazon introduced policies for KDP authors to disclose AI usage in the upload process, the number of openly labeled AI-authored books remains small. Some estimates suggest that only a few hundred or thousand titles are tagged as AI-generated each month, out of the hundreds of thousands published. Early examples in 2023 showed around 200 books listing “ChatGPT” as a co-author, but the figure has certainly risen in 2024 and 2025. Likely AI-generated (unlabeled) : The real volume of AI-involved titles is believed to be far higher. Even if 10% of the self-published authors rely heavily on AI, that could mean tens of thousands of new AI-assisted books each month. Certain niche categories have seen floods of questionable, AI-driven content, such as fast-turnaround how-to guides, bogus travel books, or formulaic genre fiction. Amazon’s daily upload limit was in part a response to the sudden spike in AI-generated “spam.” Experts anticipate that AI involvement in book creation will continue to climb unless tighter detection or regulations are put in place. The tricky part is that AI usage isn’t always obvious or clearly disclosed. Some authors are transparent about their methods; others see no reason to advertise AI’s involvement. Nevertheless, AI-generated and AI-assisted books have become a permanent fixture in the self-publishing landscape, pushing monthly new release counts even higher and transforming many aspects of modern publishing. Conclusion In 2024 and 2025, Amazon.com continues to reign as the leading global marketplace for new book titles. On a monthly basis, anywhere from 250,000 to 350,000 brand-new books appear in Amazon’s listings, with upward trends fueled by self-publishing, indie authors, and AI-driven content creation. Fiction remains the largest category, dominated by romance, mystery/thrillers, and science fiction, among others. Meanwhile, the shift to digital is almost universal, though many authors still offer print editions via print-on-demand. Amidst this tidal wave, AI-generated or AI-assisted books have added a new layer of complexity to the question of how many titles are truly being published each month. While explicit labeling of AI authorship is limited, unofficial estimates suggest that a sizable minority of new releases are heavily shaped by AI. In short, Amazon’s monthly influx of new titles in 2024–2025 reflects a publishing universe larger, faster, and more technologically intertwined than ever before. References Bowker. “Self-Publishing in the United States.” Bowker Annual Report , 2023. “AI-Generated Books on Amazon.” The Authors Guild , October 2024. “Romance Genre Dominates E-Book Market.” Jericho Writers , 2023. “The Rise of Kindle Direct Publishing.” Publishers Weekly , April 2024.

  • Isaac Asimov: Predictions vs. Reality

    Introduction Isaac Asimov, a celebrated science fiction author and biochemist, captivated readers with his imaginative narratives and insightful explorations of future technologies. This article delves into the accuracy of Asimov's predictions, comparing his visions of robotics, space travel, biology, and chemistry with the actual technological advancements that have transpired from 1970 to 2024. By analyzing his works alongside real-world developments, we can better understand his foresight and the intricate relationship between science fiction and technological progress. Research Methodology To assess the accuracy of Asimov's predictions, a comprehensive research process was undertaken. This involved identifying articles and research papers discussing Asimov's predictions about technology and articles and research papers discussing actual technology developments from 1970 to 2024 in robotics, space travel, biology, and chemistry. Asimov's predictions were then compared and contrasted with the actual technology developments to determine their accuracy and identify any predictions that have yet to be realized. Finally, articles and research papers discussing the impact of Asimov's predictions on the development of technology and the limitations of his predictions were reviewed. Robotics: A Revolution Foretold Asimov's most notable contribution to the field of robotics lies in his introduction of the term itself and the formulation of the Three Laws of Robotics . These laws, intended to guarantee the ethical and safe operation of robots, have profoundly influenced how we perceive and develop artificial intelligence. Asimov envisioned a future where robots would be commonplace, revolutionizing the workplace and even becoming integral parts of our homes . While his prediction of robots being "neither common nor very good" by 2014 proved somewhat inaccurate, he accurately anticipated the rise of automation and the increasing integration of robots in various industries . One of Asimov's most striking predictions in the realm of robotics was the development of self-driving cars with "robot brains" . He envisioned vehicles that could navigate to predetermined destinations without human intervention, a concept that aligns remarkably well with current advancements in autonomous vehicles. Companies like Tesla, Waymo, and Cruise are actively developing and testing self-driving cars, bringing Asimov's vision closer to reality. Asimov also predicted the development of long-lasting batteries , a critical component for the advancement of robotics and other technologies. While battery technology has significantly improved since Asimov's time, with advancements in lithium-ion batteries and the exploration of alternative energy storage solutions, the quest for truly long-lasting batteries continues. Asimov's predictions about the impact of robotics on the workforce were particularly astute. He anticipated that robots would take over clerical and factory jobs, forcing people to reconsider their careers and potentially leading to a life of leisure . This prediction has come to pass, as automation has indeed displaced many jobs and continues to reshape the labor market. The rise of artificial intelligence, which Asimov did not fully anticipate , has further accelerated this trend, raising questions about the future of work and the need for workforce adaptation. Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics have not only shaped our ethical considerations in artificial intelligence and robotics research but also raise intriguing questions about the potential implications for the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI). As AI systems become more sophisticated, the need for robust ethical frameworks to guide their development and deployment becomes increasingly crucial. Space Travel: A Giant Leap Yet to Be Taken Asimov's predictions about space travel were a blend of accuracy and optimism. He envisioned a future where humans would have established a presence on the Moon, with mining factories, solar power stations, and even the beginnings of space settlements . While the International Space Station stands as a testament to humanity's continuous presence in space, Asimov's vision of lunar colonization has not yet materialized . The reasons for this are primarily political rather than technological, as the space race lost momentum after the collapse of the Soviet Union . Despite his optimism, Asimov correctly predicted that unmanned missions would precede human exploration of Mars . This has been borne out by the numerous robotic missions to Mars, including the Curiosity rover, which has been exploring the planet since 2012 . Asimov's vision of "modulated laser beams" for communication between Earth and the Moon also foreshadowed the development of laser communication technologies for space applications. Laser communication offers advantages over traditional radio communication, such as higher bandwidth and increased data rates, making it a promising technology for future space missions. Asimov also explored the concept of underwater housing as a potential habitat for humans . While this prediction has not yet been fully realized, there have been advancements in underwater technology and the development of underwater habitats for research and exploration. The possibility of establishing permanent underwater settlements remains a topic of interest, particularly in the context of rising sea levels and the need for alternative living spaces. Furthermore, Asimov predicted the development of underground cities , a concept that has been explored in various forms throughout history. While large-scale underground cities have not yet been built, there are numerous underground construction projects, such as tunnels, transportation systems, and storage facilities, that demonstrate the feasibility of underground living. The political and economic factors that have hindered lunar colonization, despite technological advancements, are complex and multifaceted. The decline of the space race, the high cost of space exploration, and the lack of immediate economic incentives have all contributed to the delay in establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon. However, with the emergence of private space companies and renewed interest in lunar exploration, Asimov's vision of lunar colonization may yet become a reality. Biology and Chemistry: A Glimpse into the Building Blocks of Life While Asimov's predictions primarily focused on robotics and space travel, his background in biochemistry allowed him to offer glimpses into the future of biology and chemistry. He anticipated the development of lab-grown meat, albeit in the form of "processed yeast and algae products" with flavors like "mock-turkey" and "pseudo-steak" . This prediction was partially realized with the unveiling of the first lab-grown burger in 2013 . Although lab-grown meat is not yet widely available, it represents a significant step towards sustainable and ethical food production. Asimov also foresaw the potential of genetic engineering and biotechnology to create new materials and products . This prediction has been borne out by the rapid advancements in genetic engineering, with applications in medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. Gene editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 have revolutionized genetic engineering, enabling precise modifications to DNA sequences and opening up new possibilities for treating diseases, developing new crops, and addressing environmental challenges. Asimov's predictions about the increasing use of mechanical devices to replace failing organs have also come to pass, with advancements in artificial hearts, kidneys, and other life-sustaining technologies. These technologies have significantly improved the quality of life for individuals with organ failure and continue to evolve with advancements in biomaterials and medical device technology. Asimov's prediction that psychiatrists would be the most important medical specialty in 2014 reflects a growing awareness of mental health issues and the increasing demand for mental health services. While psychiatry is indeed a crucial medical specialty, the landscape of healthcare has become more complex, with a greater emphasis on holistic approaches to health and well-being. The ethical considerations surrounding genetic engineering and the potential impact of Asimov's predictions on future biotechnology developments are significant. As we gain greater control over the building blocks of life, it is essential to engage in thoughtful discussions about the ethical implications of these technologies and to establish guidelines that ensure their responsible use. Entertainment and Lifestyle: A World of 3D and Beyond Asimov's predictions extended beyond the realms of science and technology to encompass entertainment and lifestyle. He accurately predicted the development of 3D entertainment , with 3D movies and televisions becoming increasingly popular in recent years. While the initial hype surrounding 3D technology has subsided somewhat, it continues to be used in various forms of entertainment, including movies, video games, and virtual reality experiences. Unrealized Predictions and the Limitations of Foresight While Asimov demonstrated remarkable foresight in many areas, some of his predictions remain unrealized. His vision of a world where children learn primarily from computers at home, with teachers serving only to "inspire curiosity" , has not come to pass. Similarly, his prediction of flying cars and widespread use of nuclear-powered batteries have yet to materialize. These unrealized predictions highlight the inherent limitations of predicting the future, especially in the rapidly evolving realm of technology. Asimov's predictions were influenced by the technological landscape and societal trends of his time, and it is impossible to foresee every breakthrough or unforeseen circumstance that may shape the future. Factors such as scientific discoveries, economic conditions, political decisions, and social values all play a role in shaping technological progress, making it a complex and unpredictable process. The Impact of Asimov's Predictions Despite their limitations, Asimov's predictions have had a significant impact on the development of technology. His Three Laws of Robotics have served as a framework for ethical considerations in artificial intelligence and robotics research . His optimistic vision of robots as helpful companions has also influenced the development of robots for various applications, including healthcare, education, and companionship . Asimov's predictions have also sparked public imagination and inspired generations of scientists, engineers, and innovators. His works have helped to shape our understanding of the potential and challenges of technological progress, fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity about the future. Science fiction, in general, plays a crucial role in shaping technological progress by providing a canvas for exploring possibilities, sparking new ideas, and challenging conventional thinking. Asimov's works, with their thoughtful exploration of future technologies, have undoubtedly contributed to this ongoing dialogue between science fiction and technological reality. Conclusion Isaac Asimov's science fiction novels offer a captivating glimpse into the future, and his predictions about robotics, space travel, biology, and chemistry have proven to be remarkably insightful in many ways. While some of his visions remain unrealized, his works have had a profound impact on the development of technology and continue to inspire us to explore the possibilities of the future. By examining his predictions alongside real-world developments, we can gain a deeper appreciation for his foresight and the complex interplay between science fiction and technological progress.

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  • Home | H. Peter Alesso science fiction author

    Author H. Peter Alesso presents excerpts from his published portfolio and research projects. H. Peter Alesso Portfolio Past, Present, and Future. " Oh, why is love so complicated?" asked Henry. Alaina said, "It's not so complicated. You just have to love the other person more than yourself." Not everyone who fights is a warrior. A warrior knows what's worth fighting for.

  • New | H Peter Alesso

    New release "On the Cusp of Artificial SuperIntelligence" book with the lastest AI. New Releases On December 20, 2024, OpenAI quietly released a three-minute video that marked the moment when artificial general intelligence shifted from "someday" to "soon.” Their o3 model had achieved 87.5% on the ARC-AGI benchmark, a test specifically designed to resist pattern-matching shortcuts and measure genuine reasoning. Just months earlier, the best AI systems struggled to break 32%. The average human scores 85%. This wasn't an incremental improvement. It was a phase transition—like water suddenly becoming steam. On the Cusp of Superintelligence captures this pivotal moment when the race to artificial general intelligence transformed from a research project to an engineering sprint. It reveals how multiple paths to AGI are converging simultaneously, each backed by billion-dollar labs with fundamentally different theories of intelligence. OpenAI bet everything on scaling—that intelligence emerges from processing enough information with enough parameters. Their progression from GPT-3's 175 billion parameters to o3's breakthrough validated their conviction that the path to AGI is a straight highway that needs to be extended far enough. Meanwhile, DeepMind, led by neuroscientist Demis Hassabis, pursued a portfolio strategy combining hierarchical reasoning, self-improving Gödel machines, multi-agent systems, embodied intelligence, and scientific discovery. Their synthesis approach suggests that superintelligence might require not choosing between paradigms but orchestrating them into unified systems. Anthropic took a different path, prioritizing safety through Constitutional AI, building alignment into the architecture rather than adding it afterward. Their Claude models demonstrated that capability and safety need not be mutually exclusive. Meta champions world models and embodied intelligence, arguing that true understanding requires grounding in physical reality—that language models without world models are like philosophers in Plato's cave, seeing only shadows. Their V-JEPA learns by predicting what happens next in video, developing causal understanding that pure text training cannot achieve. xAI's Grok series, trained on the massive Colossus supercluster with up to 200,000 GPUs, represents yet another philosophy: maximum truth-seeking through real-time information integration. Grok-4's multi-agent architecture and native tool use pushed boundaries in reasoning and reliability, achieving perfect scores on mathematical Olympiads while maintaining connection to current events through X's data streams. IBM's revolutionary NeuroVSA demonstrated that neural and symbolic approaches need not compete—showing how symbols can become high-dimensional vectors and logic can emerge from geometry itself. This synthesis enables systems that combine neural pattern recognition with symbolic reasoning, solving problems neither approach could handle alone. Yet as Western labs pushed these boundaries, an unexpected challenge emerged from the East. In January 2025, China's DeepSeek-R1 surpassed American models in key benchmarks, creating what researchers called an "AI Sputnik moment." Constrained by hardware limitations, Chinese researchers had become masters of efficiency, achieving comparable or superior performance with a fraction of the computational resources. Their Mixture-of-Experts architectures and algorithmic innovations demonstrated that the path to AGI might not require massive scale, but rather clever engineering. As these architectural philosophies race toward AGI, a more profound crisis emerges. We face the outer alignment challenge: how do we specify what we want from superintelligent systems without destroying what we value? More troubling still is inner alignment—ensuring these systems actually pursue our goals rather tha In 2019, Giuseppe Carleo and his team pioneered the application of machine learning to quantum physics. This book is an introduction to how AI revolutionizes quantum field theory (QFT) , from scalar fields to complex gauge theories describing quarks and gluons. The narrative unfolds in three acts. First, readers discover the mathematical kinship between neural networks and quantum fields—the renormalization group maps onto information flow through neural layers, while gauge symmetry provides blueprints for AI architectures. Through Python code, readers build networks that discover phase transitions without being taught physics, demonstrating AI's ability to rediscover fundamental principles from data alone. The second act examines how AI addresses each type of quantum field. For scalar fields, neural networks identify exotic phases that traditional methods miss. For fermions, architectures like FermiNet achieve chemical accuracy while sidestepping computational barriers. For gauge fields, flow-based models conquer critical slowing down that has limited simulations for decades. Key breakthroughs include MIT's gauge-equivariant flows, which reduce autocorrelation times by a factor of 100, DeepMind's solution to 30-electron molecules, and the discovery by transformers that million-term scattering amplitudes can be expressed as a single equation. The final act envisions AI not just calculating but creating physics systems like MELVIN, designing quantum experiments that no human has imagined. Language models solve bootstrap equations. Neural networks propose routes to grand unification. The book culminates in a convergence of quantum computers and classical AI—a partnership that could crack QFT's deepest mysteries. By teaching AI nature's symmetries, we're creating systems that reveal patterns invisible to human analysis—AI intelligence is offering a different way of interrogating reality. Written as an introduction for physicists curious about AI and ML, as well as for AI and ML experts interested in fundamental physics, the book strikes a balance between rigor and practical implementation, offering both conceptual frameworks and tools for the quantum field theory revolution.

  • Henry Gallant | H Peter Alesso

    The Science Fiction series "The Henry Gallant Saga." The Henry Gallant Saga The Henry Gallant Saga COURAGE is only a word . . . until you witness it. Then . . . it is contagious. Henry Gallant is the only Natural left in Earth's genetically engineered space navy. Despite overwhelming odds and the doubts of his shipmates, Gallant refuses to back down as he uses his unique abilities to fight for victory at the farthest reaches of the Solar System. Follow Gallant as he finds the spine to stand tall, vanquish fear, and rain violence upon the methane-breathing enemy aliens. The nation needs a hero like Henry Gallant. He fights! For fans of Horatio Hornblower and Honor Harrington.

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H. Peter Alesso

©2023 by hpeteralesso.com.

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