Graham has a crush on his work colleague, Nessie. They work in a start-up tech company. One day Nessie approached Graham, asking him to test out a new algorithm she’s developed to detect lies on the internet. Graham agrees to test it. He edits in Nessie’s online profile information with a view to test if the program can detect the lies, he’s made up. Soon he discovers that the algorithm is extremely powerful and capable of much more than what it was initially developed for.
Ethical Issues:
- Artificial Intelligence
- ‘Playing God’
- Authenticity/reality
- Technology and human nature
Discussion questions:
- What are your biggest concerns about AI and why?
- How does the book reflect discussions in the media about AI?[1]
- What questions and/or concerns does the book raise about authenticity/reality?
- Who should decide what AI should be used for? why
- What do you think is good use of AI?
- Discuss the relationship between human nature and technology?[i] What are the warnings reflected in the book?
- Are the characters in the book ‘playing god’ by creating and/or using the algorithm?
[1] This question is adapted from the author’s discussion guide: https://www.bryanvandyke.com/book-clubs
