"Accidental Intelligence is like modernized noir meets action novel, in a futuristic setting. Again and again, this book delivers pops of detail that bring the world to life." - GoodReads Review
TALES FROM THE QUANTUM VAULT
In his debut novel, Bryan Chaffin transports us to the year 2139, where corporate combines have their own Senate seats, the surveillance-state is all-encompassing, humans live most of their lives in the Omninet, and sentient AIs are partners with the world government. It's not all bad, though. There are docbots, you never have to wait for a taxi, and if you can afford it, you can get your coffee made the old fashioned way, strained from the algae tanks.
ACCIDENTAL INTELLIGENCE
Private detective Mason Truman is being yanked around by invisible strings, and it's an AI doing the yanking. Miranda. She's subtle. Crazy. And she thinks she can see the future. It's enough to drive Mason nuts. Miranda believes her fellow AIs are up to some kind of grand conspiracy against the Terran Republic, and she wants Mason's help proving it. Conspiracies are above Mason's pay grade, though, the kind of time-sink that can put a crimp in more serious pursuits. Like drinking coffee. And staying alive.
But Miranda won't take no for an answer. Mason can help or Miranda will make sure he becomes intimately acquainted with the finer conversational techniques of the secret police. So Mason digs until he uncovers a cache of stolen communications between a cabal of rogue AIs. They're planning what they call Eschaton—the divinely ordained end of humanity. Unless Mason and Miranda stop the arrogant pricks, the conspirators will destroy Earth.
Mason and Miranda have one chance, a way of bottling up the rogue AIs. All Mason has to do is lure the conspirators to the right spot in a sim world. That's how Mason learns that when Miranda said she needed help, what she meant was bait.
Bryan Chaffin wrote about Apple and technology for 23 years as the cofounder and editor-in-chief of The Mac Observer, which he and his business partner sold in 2022. Bryan lives with his dog Ichabod in Silicon Valley, where they both enjoy the fantabulous pastime of THROW THE DAMNED BALL! It's a hoot. 10 out of 10 stars. Would recommend. Bring treats. In other news, Bryan loves writing. He loves words. He revels in the power of stories.