Synopsis
It’s 2050, a decade after a heatwave that killed four hundred million across the Persian Gulf, including journalist Marcus Tully’s wife. Now he must uncover the truth: was the disaster natural? Or is the weather now a weapon of genocide?
A whistleblower pulls Tully into a murder investigation at the centre of an election battle for a global dictator, with a mandate to prevent a climate apocalypse. A former US President campaigns against the first AI politician for the position, but someone is trying to sway the outcome.
Tully must convince the world to face the truth and make hard choices about the future of the species. But will humanity ultimately choose salvation over freedom, whatever the cost?
Review
Artificial Wisdom is a timely story provoking thoughts in both the political and technology space. The journey is a twisty mystery ending with a one-two punch that makes me want to immediately discuss this book with someone, so someone else - please read this book and let’s chat!
As someone who is not particularly into anything political, this book did a great job of not alienating me and actually drawing me into the story. The world-building is top-notch and extremely believable with just the right amount of explanation on the technology. While I would agree with other reviewers the setting is dystopian, it’s so akin to our current world that I have a harder time grouping it with any other dystopian novels I’ve read.
My one and only wish for this story is that I would have liked more information on the caliphate. I’m sure there’s enough that could be written to fill a sequel (or prequel) and I would read it in a heartbeat.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the story, and the non-reading time I’ve spent thinking about this book. It would make an incredible book club read that I think most would enjoy because while the story is sci-fi, political, and dystopian - if you aren’t into any of those things on their own, it’s still a relevant, thought-provoking story. I recommend this to all readers looking for their next great read!
Thank you, Layne and Books Forward for a copy of Artificial Wisdom!
Dates read: Jan 28, 2024 - Feb 3, 2024