*By Conor White*
Despite sci-fi's habit of making technology the enemy, DJ/entrepreneur Steve Aoki doesn't think machines are necessarily the villains. That's why he's written a new comic book, "Neon Future," to cast A.I. in a different, less ominous light.
"In most sci-fi, in most comic book stories, technology is the problem...or is the evil machine," Aoki told Cheddar this weekend at New York Comic Con. "In this story, we tell something different."
"I really feel like we can use A.I. to the point where we eventually will become cyborgs," he added.
Aoki's comic book tells of a near-future when dictators have stripped citizens of their technology. A hero emerges, showing the world that humans and tech can, in fact, live in harmony.
"I want to see a future where we keep finding ways and avenues to use A.I., to use technology, so we can keep growing," said Aoki, who in addition to his DJ gig owns both his own clothing line and a chain of pizza restaurants. He reportedly has earned $28 million so far this year.
Tom Bilyeu, co-founder of Impact Theory, the studio publishing the comic book, agreed with Aoki.
"Science-fiction authors have a moral obligation to paint a picture of a future worth building," he told Cheddar. "That's literally what we're trying to do."
"Neon Future" takes place just 30 years in the future, a conscious decision by its creators.
"We wanted the world to be entirely too recognizable, so that the threat that's happening becomes really real," Bilyeu said.
"What we wanted to do was start in a world that's dystopian and then explore: How do you get out of that?"
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/steve-aokis-future).
Carlo and Baker cover the latest data showing the Omicron wave has likely started, Pfizer's Covid pill, Jan. 6 and a box office rescue attempt courtesy of Spider-Man.
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The pandemic has forced corporate America to reshape itself to adapt, including onboarding doctors as chief medical officers to help maintain the health and safety of staff. Dr. Geeta Nayyar, chief medical officer at Salesforce, joined Cheddar to break down her role and how it has become relevant and necessary in the evolving workplace. "Every business today is now in the business of healthcare," she said. "It is a priority to empower employees to then serve your customers."
Jonathan Adler, Law Professor at Case Western Reserve University, joined Wake Up With Cheddar to discuss Tuesday's ruling and provide legal context to recent battles over vaccine mandates.
Carlo and Baker wrap up the week talking about the Biden economic boom that no one seems to notice, a verdict in the Jussie Smollett case, the first Starbucks union in America and the pleasures of the "dude nod."
