After an AI leader was elected to save the planet from environmental destruction, humanity faces an even deadlier threat in the explosive sequel to Artificial Wisdom.
Five years have passed since journalist Marcus Tully singlehandedly swung the results of a global election. To give humankind a chance of survival in a world spiraling out of control with climate change, Tully released a last-minute report that discredited Lockwood, the human candidate. Instead, humanity ceded control to Solomon, an artificial intellect—a being Tully fully believed was capable of making the tough choices that would allow humanity to survive. But then he learned just how ruthless Solomon would be in pursuit of his goals.
The world might be slowly recovering, but people are suffering—and rebelling—under Solomon’s strictures. He was far from a unanimous choice, and resentment is running high.
As acts of sabotage and civil disobedience increase, a disgusted Solomon offers humanity one last choice: Upgrade or Unplug. Upgrade means irrevocably merging with artificial intelligence in order to delete the destructive nature of the species. Unplug will brick every chip, including Solomon himself, and civilization will begin again in a pre-digital age. The people of the world have days to decide before human society tips over into complete anarchy. One vote. No appeal. Individuals must be chipped to vote. A simple majority wins.
How will humanity vote this time? And how much choice do they actually have?
Thomas R. Weaver is a writer and serial tech entrepreneur. He sold his first startup in 2018 and now spends his days thinking and writing about the future. He's still active in tech and writes stories about tomorrow to help make sense of today, in his own head as much as for his readers.
View titles by Thomas R. Weaver
After an AI leader was elected to save the planet from environmental destruction, humanity faces an even deadlier threat in the explosive sequel to Artificial Wisdom.
Five years have passed since journalist Marcus Tully singlehandedly swung the results of a global election. To give humankind a chance of survival in a world spiraling out of control with climate change, Tully released a last-minute report that discredited Lockwood, the human candidate. Instead, humanity ceded control to Solomon, an artificial intellect—a being Tully fully believed was capable of making the tough choices that would allow humanity to survive. But then he learned just how ruthless Solomon would be in pursuit of his goals.
The world might be slowly recovering, but people are suffering—and rebelling—under Solomon’s strictures. He was far from a unanimous choice, and resentment is running high.
As acts of sabotage and civil disobedience increase, a disgusted Solomon offers humanity one last choice: Upgrade or Unplug. Upgrade means irrevocably merging with artificial intelligence in order to delete the destructive nature of the species. Unplug will brick every chip, including Solomon himself, and civilization will begin again in a pre-digital age. The people of the world have days to decide before human society tips over into complete anarchy. One vote. No appeal. Individuals must be chipped to vote. A simple majority wins.
How will humanity vote this time? And how much choice do they actually have?
Author
Thomas R. Weaver is a writer and serial tech entrepreneur. He sold his first startup in 2018 and now spends his days thinking and writing about the future. He's still active in tech and writes stories about tomorrow to help make sense of today, in his own head as much as for his readers.
View titles by Thomas R. Weaver
