Science-Fiction
Date Published: Sept. 20, 2022
Publisher: Nonlinear Publishing
Narrator: Veronica Pace
Run Time: 11 hours, 44 minutes
“Smart, riveting and next gen.” (Pamela Wirth, CEO and author of Saving My Son)
"...a provocative science fiction novel featuring the union of two unrivaled, intelligent technologies." (Foreword-Clarion Reviews)
Dr. Keira Stetson has two passions: ethical artificial intelligence—AI with a conscience—and creating technology that improves children’s lives. Trapped in an earthquake-flattened building with a half-dozen panicked five-year-olds, she fears the worst. When billionaire Roy Brandt leverages his mysterious nanite technology to rescue them, she’s both grateful and intrigued.
Impressed by his prototype technology but alarmed at its potential for exploitation, Keira merges her company with Brandt’s. The merger gives Keira access to much-needed funds for the development of her own tech, and access to Brandt’s powerful minuscule robots. In turn, she and her AI assistant, Elly, embed Keira’s trademark Moral Operating System in Brandt’s nanite SmartDust to rein in its power.
But Brandt’s technology has been kept secret for a reason. Though he’s adamant about using the Dust to improve life, not destroy it, corporate raiders and the military have other ideas. They want to weaponize Brandt’s nanites. Suddenly, everything Keira has worked for is in jeopardy. Exposed to the worst humanity has to offer, she and Elly must fight to use this newfound tech for good and keep it out of the wrong hands…before it’s too late.
All proceeds from sales of Moral Code will go to PreventChildAbuse.org and Thorn.org.
Interview with Lois Melbourne
How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
I’ve written two children’s books and “Moral Code” is my first novel. My first book, “STEM Club Goes Exploring”, means so much to me. It’s my first, it helps kids be curious about their future careers, and it’s STEM! But my favorite is “Moral Code”. If I could build an ethical AI that would protect kids from harm, I would. I don’t have that talent, so I told her story instead.
If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
I have ideas for a sequel, but I’m working on something else right now. If there is a sequel, it will include the ghost cities in China and India. Nothing paranormal, that is the name for the developments of up to ten thousand apartments in a complex, built but never occupied. The environment is ripe with possibility.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
My vision for a sequel would include related stories, which could be read alone without confusion or disappointment.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
While considering the establishment of boundaries required for an artificial intelligence to be only ethical, I examined the role morality plays in the definition of ethics. The play on the word “Code” for programming code or the set of rules established to define a way of acting, fit perfectly for “Moral Code.”
How long did it take you to write this book?
The first draft took about ten months. The re-writes, editing and publishing took almost three more.
What does the title mean?
(see #4)
What did you learn when writing the book?
I learned so much with “Moral Code” I studied how artificial intelligence systems learn. Nanites, or micro-robots, were fascinating subjects. I also dove into the philosophy of ethics and morality. The breadth and depth of child abuse and human trafficking stats were gut-wrenching to learn about. Which is why all the proceeds of the book are donated to causes preventing these evils.
I also learned how to write a novel! Point of view, conflict, pacing, character development, the list goes on!
What surprised you the most?
We’d dream up some fantastical projections for technology. Three weeks after building a subplot around it, I’d read something MIT was showcasing making the tech possible shortly. It happened multiple times. This created more than a few re-writes.
Have you ever killed off a character your readers loved?
Not yet. I’ve killed off lots of scenes I loved.
What do you do to get inside your character’s heads?
I give a lot of thought when naming my characters. Their names hold meaning regarding who they are. This helps me focus on their essence. For example, Keira means “leader of people”, while Loel means “judgement.”
About the Author
“Moral Code” is not the first collaboration for Lois and Ross Melbourne. Side-by-side, they grew their software business to a global award-winning organization, as CEO and Chief Technology Officer, respectively. Now Lois’ storytelling brings to life Ross’ deep understanding of the possibilities within artificial intelligence and robotics. Parenting and marriage have been the easy part of this equation.
Lois is now writing books, having published two children’s books about exploring careers. “Moral Code” is her first but not her last novel. Ross’ current work includes artificial intelligence and robotics.
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2 comments:
Enjoyed the interview. Sounds like a good story.
I love a husband wife writing team. You can both a man and a woman's view in the writing style.
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