Draft:August Cole

August Cole is an author, and analyst in national security and a former defense industry reporter{{Cite web |title=BIO |url=https://www.augustcole.com/bio |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=AUGUST COLE / author / speaker/futurist |language=en-US}} for the Wall Street Journal.{{Cite web |title=August Cole |url=https://slate.com/author/august-cole |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Slate Magazine |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Cole |first=August |date=2008-12-03 |title=Blackwater Plans Effort Against Piracy |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122826117332273945 |access-date=2025-06-22 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}{{Cite news |last1=Gorman |first1=Siobhan |last2=Cole |first2=August |last3=Dreazen |first3=Yochi |date=2009-04-21 |title=Computer Spies Breach Fighter-Jet Project |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124027491029837401 |access-date=2025-06-22 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}} With Peter Singer, he is the co-author of best-seller Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War {{Cite web |title=Ghost Fleet Book |url=https://www.ghostfleetbook.com/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Ghost Fleet Book |language=en-US}}and [https://www.burninbook.com/ Burn In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution].{{Cite web |date=2020-05-26 |title=Burn-In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution {{!}} Center for International Maritime Security |url=https://cimsec.org/burn-in-a-novel-of-the-real-robotic-revolution/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |language=en-US}} He is a co-founder and a managing partner at Useful Fiction LLC{{Cite web |title=About Us, Useful Fiction |url=https://useful-fiction.com/about-us/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |language=en-US}}, which works at the center of narrative foresight, and change management focused on defense and security{{Cite web |title=What we do, Useful Fiction |url=https://useful-fiction.com/what-we-do/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |language=en-US}}.

Cole serves as Co-founder and Managing Partner at Useful Fiction LLC{{Cite web |title=About us, Useful Fiction |url=https://useful-fiction.com/about-us/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |language=en-US}}, a strategic advisory firm that works at the center of narrative, foresight, and change management focused on defense and security. Useful Fiction's work with US,{{Cite web |last=Seck |first=Hope Hodge |date=2024-11-19 |title=Army taps 'Ghost Fleet' authors to write novel on multi-domain warfare |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/11/19/army-taps-ghost-fleet-authors-to-write-novel-on-multi-domain-warfare/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Military Times |language=en}} UK{{Cite web |title=Stories from the Future: exploring new technology through useful fiction |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/stories-from-the-future-exploring-new-technology-through-useful-fiction |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}, and other allied militaries and government agencies includes commissioned fictional narratives designed to help military planners envision and prepare for future operational challenges. The firm specializes in developing immersive workshops,{{Cite web |title=What We Do1, Useful Fiction |url=https://useful-fiction.com/clients1/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |language=en-US}} writing future-focused fiction, and training senior decision-makers on the strategic use of storytelling methodologies for scenario planning and strategic foresight.{{Cite web |title=What we do, Useful Fiction |url=https://useful-fiction.com/what-we-do/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |language=en-US}}

August Cole holds the position of Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security at the Atlantic Council.{{Cite web |title=August Cole |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/august-cole/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Atlantic Council |language=en-US}} The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and its allies and partners.{{Cite web |title=Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/programs/scowcroft-center-for-strategy-and-security/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Atlantic Council |language=en-US}} In his work at the Atlantic Council and at the Scowcroft Center, Cole contributes expertise{{Cite web |last=abassoli |date=2024-11-21 |title=August Cole mentioned in the Military Times about his new novel |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/insight-impact/in-the-news/august-cole-mentioned-in-the-army-times-about-his-new-novel/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Atlantic Council |language=en-US}} on future warfare scenarios, narrative-based strategic planning, and the integration of emerging technologies into defense planning processes{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Atlantic |date=2015-06-26 |title=Cole: The Art of World War III |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/insight-impact/in-the-news/cole-the-art-of-world-war-iii/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Atlantic Council |language=en-US}}, speaking at events such as the 2024 AI Expo in Washington DC,{{Cite web |last=gmatchett |date=2024-05-07 |title=Cole spoke at the 2024 AI Expo in Washington DC |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/insight-impact/in-the-news/august-cole-2024-ai-expo/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Atlantic Council |language=en-US}} and appearing on the MARSOC podcast.{{Cite web |last=kwinzerwilks |date=2025-05-13 |title=Cole interviews US Marine Corps Major General Peter D. Huntley on MARSOC podcast |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/insight-impact/in-the-news/cole-interviews-us-marine-corps-major-general-peter-d-huntley-on-marsoc-podcast/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Atlantic Council |language=en-US}} His work includes exploring future conflict scenarios through the Atlantic Council's Art of Future Warfare initiatives,{{cite web |author=August Cole |date=2019 |title=The Art of World War III |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/insight-impact/in-the-news/cole-the-art-of-world-war-iii/ |access-date=June 22, 2025 |publisher=Atlantic Council}} developing FICINT methodologies for strategic planning applications,{{cite web |author=August Cole |date=2020 |title=Thinking the Unthinkable with Useful Fiction |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/insight-impact/in-the-news/cole-publishes-article-in-the-journal-of-future-conflict/ |access-date=June 22, 2025 |publisher=Journal of Future Conflict via Atlantic Council}} and advocating for enhanced integration of artificial intelligence in military operations, including his influential argument for establishing an Algorithmic Warfare Group.{{cite web |author=August Cole |date=December 2021 |title=Left of Beep: The United States Needs an Algorithmic Warfare Group |url=https://warontherocks.com/2021/12/left-of-beep-the-united-states-needs-an-algorithmic-warfare-group/ |access-date=June 22, 2025 |publisher=War on the Rocks}}

Additionally, Cole serves as an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Britain's leading defense and security think tank.{{cite web |title=August Cole |url=https://www.rusi.org/people/cole-0 |access-date=June 22, 2025 |publisher=Royal United Services Institute}} Through RUSI, he contributes to defense and security research from an international perspective, working with British and allied military organizations to explore future conflict scenarios and strategic challenges facing NATO and partner nations. His work primarily focuses on how military science fiction can inform strategic thinking, exemplified by his analytical reviews published in the RUSI Journal, including his 2018 piece "Science Fiction and the Military Reader: A Review of The Forever War Graphic Novel"{{cite web |author=August Cole |date=January 22, 2018 |title=Science Fiction and the Military Reader: A Review of The Forever War Graphic Novel |url=https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/rusi-journal/science-fiction-and-military-reader-review-forever-war-graphic-novel/ |access-date=June 22, 2025 |publisher=RUSI Journal}} and his 2022 commentary, "Imagining the Third World War."{{cite web |title=Imagining the Third World War |url=https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/rusi-journal/imagining-third-world-war |access-date=June 22, 2025 |publisher=RUSI Journal}} Cole is also a frequent guest on RUSI Journal Radio, where he has appeared on episodes such as "Fiction and Future Wars," highlighting the value of science fiction for military leaders,{{cite web |title=Episode 3: Fiction and Future Wars |url=https://www.rusi.org/podcasts/rusi-journal-radio/episode-3-fiction-and-future-wars |access-date=June 22, 2025 |publisher=RUSI Journal Radio}} and the 2024 episode "2024 in Review Through Books, Films and Pop Culture," where he reflected on global events with Professor David Gioe.{{cite web |title=Episode 4: 2024 in Review Through Books, Films and Pop Culture |url=https://rusi.org/podcasts/rusi-journal-radio/episode-4-2024-review-books-films-and-pop-culture-help-us-make-sense-unexpected |access-date=June 22, 2025 |publisher=RUSI Journal Radio}}

Cole has held several prestigious academic and research fellowships throughout his career. He served as a nonresident senior fellow at the Modern War Institute at West Point, where he contributed to military education and strategic thinking through research and analysis on contemporary warfare issues.Modern War Institute. "August Cole." West Point. Retrieved 2025. https://mwi.westpoint.edu/august-cole/

From 2014 to 2017, Cole directed the Atlantic Council's [https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/category/content-series/art-of-future-warfare/ Art of Future Warfare Project], housed within the [https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/programs/scowcroft-center-for-strategy-and-security/ Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security].Atlantic Council. "August Cole." Expert Profile. Retrieved 2025. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/august-cole/Royal United Services Institute. "August Cole." People Profile. Retrieved 2025. https://www.rusi.org/people/cole-0 This innovative initiative promoted the use of creative works, including fiction and multimedia content, to explore and understand potential future conflicts and their implications. Under his direction, the project organized events examining "the art of World War III," bringing together leading artists and crowdsourced contributions to visualize future warfare scenarios.Atlantic Council. "Cole: The Art of World War III." August 24, 2019. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/insight-impact/in-the-news/cole-the-art-of-world-war-iii/

At the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), Cole served as a researcher on the "[https://www.prio.org/projects/1859 Warring With Machines]" project from January 2020 to December 2023, examining military applications of artificial intelligence and the relevance of virtue ethics.Peace Research Institute Oslo. "August Cole." People Profile. Retrieved 2025. https://www.prio.org/people/11883Peace Research Institute Oslo. "Warring with Machines: Military Applications of Artificial Intelligence and the Relevance of Virtue Ethics." Project Profile. Retrieved 2025. https://www.prio.org/projects/1859 Working alongside [https://www.prio.org/people/5036 Greg Reichberg] and [https://www.prio.org/people/11889 George Lucas], Cole focused on military strategy in AI applications and stakeholder relations. The project resulted in publications including "Artificial Intelligence in Military Planning and Operations" and contributed to scholarly discourse on AI ethics in warfare.Peace Research Institute Oslo. "Gregory M. Reichberg." Publications. Retrieved 2025. https://www.prio.org/people/5036Atlantic Council. "Cole publishes with the Peace Research Institute Oslo on AI and military operations." January 25, 2024. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/insight-impact/in-the-news/cole-ai-and-military-operations/

He is also affiliated with [https://thepearsoninstitute.org/ The Pearson Institute at the University of Chicago] as a participant in their [https://thepearsoninstitute.org/GlobalForum Global Forum on security and peace studies].The Pearson Institute. "August Cole." Speaker Profile. Retrieved 2025. https://thepearsoninstitute.org/globalforum/speaker/august-cole Cole has served as a nonresident fellow at the [https://www.usmcu.edu/Academic-Programs/Brute-Krulak-Center/Women-Peace-and-Security/ Brute Krulak Center for Innovation and Creativity] at Marine Corps University, appearing as a speaker and on their podcast #BruteCast.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=che7qjAvWn0 |title=#BruteCast Ep. 20 - August Cole, "Useful Fiction and Future War" |date=2020-10-24 |last=The Krulak Center |access-date=2025-06-22 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |title=August Cole {{!}} The Pearson Institute |url=https://thepearsoninstitute.org/globalforum/speaker/august-cole |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=thepearsoninstitute.org}}Peace Research Institute Oslo. "August Cole." People Profile. Retrieved 2025. https://www.prio.org/people/11883

His speaking engagements have taken him to prestigious venues including the Nobel Institute in Oslo{{Cite web |title=August Cole |url=https://www.rusi.org/people/cole-0 |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=www.rusi.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=BIO |url=https://www.augustcole.com/bio |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=AUGUST COLE / author / speaker/futurist |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=August Cole {{!}} The Pearson Institute |url=https://thepearsoninstitute.org/globalforum/speaker/august-cole |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=thepearsoninstitute.org}}{{Cite web |date=2010-05-28 |title=About |url=https://augustcole.wordpress.com/about/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=August Cole |language=en}}, SXSW Interactive{{Cite web |title=August Cole |url=https://schedule.sxsw.com/2025/speakers/2006683 |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=SXSW 2025 Schedule |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=PanelPicker {{!}} SXSW Conference & Festivals |url=https://www.rainfocus.com/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=SXSW Conference & Festival |language=en-us}}, and West Point{{Cite web |last=mwiadmin |date=2016-04-07 |title=August Cole - Modern War Institute |url=https://mwi.westpoint.edu/august-cole/,%20https://mwi.westpoint.edu/august-cole/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=mwi.westpoint.edu |language=en-US}}, where he has lectured on future warfare and strategic foresight.Royal United Services Institute. "August Cole." People Profile. Retrieved 2025. https://www.rusi.org/people/cole-0 Cole has also presented at Fort Benning{{Cite web |date=2016-02-23 |title=Author discusses theoretical future conflict |url=https://www.army.mil/article/162867/author_discusses_theoretical_future_conflict |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=www.army.mil |language=en}} and other military installations, contributing to professional military education through his expertise in narrative-based strategic analysis{{Cite web |title=Episode 34 - August Cole Talks About the Futuristic Military |url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/the-proceedings-podcast/episode-34-august-cole-talks-about-futuristic |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=U.S. Naval Institute |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=kwinzerwilks |date=2025-05-20 |title=Cole speaks about the role of fiction and narrative in current affairs on the Marine Corps Association Scuttlebutt podcast |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/insight-impact/in-the-news/cole-speaks-about-the-role-of-fiction-and-narrative-in-current-affairs-on-the-marine-corps-association-scuttlebutt-podcast/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Atlantic Council |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=August Cole, co-author of "Ghost Fleet," discusses future technological warfare with Marine information group in Okinawa |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/326386/august-cole-co-author-ghost-fleet-discusses-future-technological-warfare-with-marine-information-group-okinawa |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=DVIDS |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-06-10 |title=332. Realer than Real: Useful Fiction with P.W. Singer and August Cole {{!}} Mad Scientist Laboratory |url=https://madsciblog.tradoc.army.mil/332-realer-than-real-useful-fiction-with-p-w-singer-and-august-cole/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |language=en-US}}.

From 2007 to 2010, Cole worked as a defense industry reporter for The Wall Street Journal, based in Washington, D.C.{{Cite news |last=Crovitz |first=L. Gordon |date=2015-07-12 |title=Portents of World Cyberwar |url=http://www.wsj.com/articles/portents-of-world-cyberwar-1436740393 |access-date=2025-06-22 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}Atlantic Council. "August Cole." Expert Profile. Retrieved 2025. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/august-cole/Cole, August. "About." Personal Website. Retrieved 2025. https://augustcole.wordpress.com/about/American Security Project. "August Cole." About. Retrieved 2025. https://www.americansecurityproject.org/about/august-cole/{{Cite web |title=August Cole |url=https://www.americansecurityproject.org/about/august-cole/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=American Security Project |language=en}} During his tenure at the Journal, he covered companies ranging from Boeing to Blackwater{{Cite news |last=Cole |first=August |date=2008-12-03 |title=Blackwater Plans Effort Against Piracy |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122826117332273945 |access-date=2025-06-22 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}, as well as broader defense policy and political matters.{{Cite news |last=Dreazen |first=August Cole And Yochi J. |date=2010-01-30 |title=Pentagon Review Shows Strategy Shift |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703389004575033550816782256 |access-date=2025-06-22 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}{{Cite news |last1=Gorman |first1=Siobhan |last2=Cole |first2=August |last3=Dreazen |first3=Yochi |date=2009-04-21 |title=Computer Spies Breach Fighter-Jet Project |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124027491029837401 |access-date=2025-06-22 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}Cole, August. "About." Personal Website. Retrieved 2025. https://augustcole.wordpress.com/about/ Cole helped break several major national security stories during his time at The Wall Street Journal, including reporting on foreign cyber spies hacking into the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter program, major defense contractors conducting "Smart Power" development work in Africa, U.S. sales of F-16 fighters to Iraq, and a Blackwater civilian shooting incident{{Cite news |last1=Perez |first1=Evan |last2=Cole |first2=August |date=2008-12-09 |title=Manslaughter Charges in Blackwater Case |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122874862056388125 |access-date=2025-06-22 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}} in Afghanistan.{{Cite news |last=Cole |first=August |date=2009-08-24 |title=Makers of Military Drones Take Off |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB125107420171052683 |access-date=2025-06-22 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}Atlantic Council. "August Cole." Expert Profile. Retrieved 2025. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/august-cole/Cole, August. "About." Personal Website. Retrieved 2025. https://augustcole.wordpress.com/about/ Prior to his work at The Wall Street Journal, Cole worked as an editor and reporter for MarketWatch.com{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=August |date=2005-05-16 |title=Fresh bid to lift veil on security work |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/fresh-bid-to-lift-veil-on-us-security-contractors |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=MarketWatch |language=EN-US}}{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=August |date=2005-05-12 |title=J.P. Morgan rediscovers Northwest Air |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jp-morgan-sees-turnaround-at-northwest-airlines |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=MarketWatch |language=EN-US}} from 1998 to 2006, where he developed his skills in financial{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=August |date=2005-06-16 |title=America West shares taking off |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/correct-america-wests-high-stakes-bet-paying-off |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=MarketWatch |language=EN-US}} and business reporting{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=August |date=2006-04-19 |title=General Dynamics tops forecasts |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/general-dynamics-net-income-up-11 |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=MarketWatch |language=EN-US}}.Atlantic Council. "August Cole." Expert Profile. Retrieved 2025. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/august-cole/American Security Project. "August Cole." About. Retrieved 2025. https://www.americansecurityproject.org/about/august-cole/Royal United Services Institute. "August Cole." People Profile. Retrieved 2025. https://www.rusi.org/people/cole-0 His journalism background and investigative reporting experience in defense and national security matters has informed his subsequent work as a fiction writer and strategic analyst, particularly in his exploration of future warfare scenarios and defense policy issues.

Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War (2015) (Eamon Dolan/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015, ISBN 0544142845) is a speculative military thriller co-authored by Cole and P.W. Singer.Singer, P.W.; Cole, August (2015). Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0544142848. The novel explores a fictional near-future global conflict involving the United States, China, and Russia, incorporating real-world military technologies and current geopolitical trends to create a plausible warfare scenario across sea, land, air, space, and cyberspace domains.Grounded Curiosity. "Book Review – Ghost Fleet by P.W. Singer and August Cole." April 3, 2021. https://groundedcuriosity.com/book-review-ghost-fleet-by-p-w-singer-and-august-cole/ {{Cite web |title=Ghost Fleet Book |url=https://www.ghostfleetbook.com/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Ghost Fleet Book |language=en-US}}The book formally introduced the concept of "Fictional Intelligence" (FICINT), which the authors describe as a methodology that blends deeply researched trends and technologies with compelling narrative fiction to help military and policy audiences better envision and prepare for future conflicts.{{Cite web |last=Seck |first=Hope Hodge |date=2020-05-27 |title=From 'Ghost Fleet' to Robot Warfare: Q&A with the Authors of 'Burn-In' |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/05/26/ghost-fleet-robot-warfare-qa-authors-burn.html |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Military.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Ian |date=2024-07-03 |title=A Review of 'Ghost Fleet' by August Cole and P. W. Singer |url=https://www.safespaces.tw/post/a-review-of-ghost-fleet-by-august-cole-and-p-w-singer |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Safe Spaces |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-03-04 |title=FicInt: Anticipating Tomorrow's Conflict |url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2021/march/ficint-anticipating-tomorrows-conflict |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=U.S. Naval Institute |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The Uses and Limits of Speculative Fiction: Three Novels about a US–China War |work=Air University (AU) |url=https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/JIPA/Display/Article/3490715/the-uses-and-limits-of-speculative-fiction-three-novels-about-a-uschina-war/}} The authors extensively footnoted the book to direct readers to source material demonstrating how close to reality their fictional technologies and scenarios are.Amazon. "Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War." Customer Reviews. Retrieved 2025. https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Fleet-Novel-Next-World/dp/054470505X The novel received significant attention from the defense analyst community, such as Foreign Policy{{Cite web |last=Luce |first=Dan De |date=2025-06-25 |title=A Novel About War With China Strikes a Chord at the Pentagon |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/05/15/a-novel-about-war-with-china-strikes-a-chord-at-the-pentagon/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}} and various military institutions{{Cite web |title=CIA Review of Ghost Fleet |url=https://www.cia.gov/resources/csi/static/Review-Ghost-Fleet.pdf}}{{Cite web |last=Seck |first=Hope Hodge |date=2024-11-19 |title=Army taps 'Ghost Fleet' authors to write novel on multi-domain warfare |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/11/19/army-taps-ghost-fleet-authors-to-write-novel-on-multi-domain-warfare/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Military Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Seck |first=Hope Hodge |date=2024-11-19 |title=Army taps 'Ghost Fleet' authors to write novel on multi-domain warfare |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/11/19/army-taps-ghost-fleet-authors-to-write-novel-on-multi-domain-warfare/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Military Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Huitt |first=Desiree |date=2016-06-03 |title='Ghost Fleet', a fictional novel that challenges military leaders' to rethink their view of threat capabilities and U.S. vulnerabilities |url=https://sofrep.com/news/ghost-fleet/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=SOFREP |language=en}}, unusual for a work of fiction.Lowy Institute. "Book Review: Ghost Fleet." The Interpreter. Retrieved 2025. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/book-review-ghost-fleet Multiple reviewers have compared it to Tom Clancy's work, with one noting it is "written in a manner reminiscent of Tom Clancy and W.E.B. Griffin."Tales of an Asia Sailor. "Ghost Fleet…A Review." March 27, 2021. https://garlanddavis.net/2016/01/16/ghost-fleet-a-review/ The book has been included on the professional reading lists of major branches of the U.S. military, including the U.S. Army Chief of Staff Professional Reading List,{{Cite web |title=U.S. Pacific Command's Professional Reading and Movie List |url=https://www.pacom.mil/Resources/Reading-List/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250417234421/https://www.pacom.mil/Resources/Reading-List/ |archive-date=2025-04-17 |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=www.pacom.mil |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Commandant's Professional Reading List (Entry Level) - Marine Corps Association |url=https://www.mca-marines.org/resource/commandants-professional-reading-list-entry-level/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=www.mca-marines.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Army Professional Reading List |url=https://home.army.mil/wood/application/files/4515/8222/0786/ArmyCoSProfessionalReadingList.pdf}}[Citation needed - this claim appears in multiple biographical sources but requires verification from official military reading list sources] as well as those of military focused academic institutions{{Cite web |last=Keller |first=Emily |title=Library Guides: Military Studies: Military Science professional reading list |url=https://guides.lib.uw.edu/c.php?g=341376&p=8954774 |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=guides.lib.uw.edu |language=en}}.

Cole's second collaboration with Singer, [https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Novel-Real-Robotic-Revolution/dp/1328637239 Burn-In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution] (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020), explores near-future law enforcement through the story of FBI Special Agent Lara Keegan and her AI-powered robot partner.{{cite web |title=Burn-In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-328-63723-9 |access-date=June 22, 2025 |website=Publishers Weekly}} The novel follows the authors' established methodology of grounding speculative fiction in current technological realities, incorporating extensive research into artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation.{{cite web |date=August 11, 2020 |title=A review of "Burn-In" by P.W. Singer and August Cole |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/capsule-review/2020-08-11/burn-novel-real-robotic-revolution |access-date=June 22, 2025 |website=Foreign Affairs}}

Publishers Weekly described the work as "a perceptive near-future techno-thriller,"{{cite web |title=Burn-In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-328-63723-9 |access-date=June 22, 2025 |website=Publishers Weekly}} while Foreign Policy noted that the novel's scenarios represent "logical and uncomfortable extensions of choices consumers and governments make every day."{{cite web |date=August 11, 2020 |title=A review of "Burn-In" by P.W. Singer and August Cole |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/capsule-review/2020-08-11/burn-novel-real-robotic-revolution |access-date=June 22, 2025 |website=Foreign Affairs}} The book received particular attention from law enforcement professionals, with one reviewer noting that it "fascinated and scared me as a cop, spy, writer, and citizen."{{cite web |date=May 6, 2020 |title='Burn-In' Is a Worryingly Accurate Vision of Future Policing |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/05/06/burn-in-review-robot-revolution-privacy-surveillance/ |access-date=June 22, 2025 |website=Foreign Policy}} The novel contributed to ongoing discussions about artificial intelligence ethics in law enforcement and government policy. Academic reviewers praised its examination of the intersection between technological advancement and civil liberties, with the American University School of International Service noting the work's relevance to contemporary debates about AI deployment in policing.{{cite web |date=June 10, 2020 |title=A Review of Burn-In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution |url=https://www.american.edu/sis/centers/security-technology/book-review-burn-in.cfm |access-date=June 22, 2025 |website=American University}} The Council on Foreign Relations highlighted the book's potential as a cautionary tale for policymakers considering the implementation of robotic systems in domestic security.{{cite web |date=October 7, 2020 |title=With "Burn-In," Cole and Singer Show Us the Robotic Future We Need to Avoid |url=https://www.cfr.org/blog/burn-cole-and-singer-show-us-robotic-future-we-need-avoid |access-date=June 22, 2025 |website=Council on Foreign Relations}} The book features detailed footnotes and sourcing, reflecting the authors' commitment to educational storytelling through their "Useful Fiction" and FICINT approach.

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.augustcole.com/ August Cole Website]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9V2RqKzN0E Discussion with August Cole]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=che7qjAvWn0 Interview with August Cole, “Useful Fiction and Future War”]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1umzBkY1A8 Leangkollen Security Conference 2019]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8IlWeeL1ZE Fireside Q&A with August Cole]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4XTdOMJvqY Visualizing The Next World War with Peter W. Singer and August Cole]
• [https://www.americansecurityproject.org/about/august-cole/ American Security Project]
• [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p0i3NkQzDx9fURSBs_7vh166clItf2gIS9gCaiRoxH8/edit Curriculum Vitae]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOtxfojE-pg P. W. Singer and August Cole appearance on Story in the Public Square]