INFINITE WISDOM by Thomas R. Weaver

4 stars

This second book in the series (you must read the amazing Artificial Wisdom first) takes up right where the last book ends. Here’s a recap: this speculative thriller is set in 2050 where climate change now threatens humanities very survival, and all the countries have agreed to a world-wide election of a climate czar with powers over everyone and a mandate to use all resources and means possible to avert disaster. In a surprise twist of events the two final candidates could not be more opposite: Lawrence Lockwood a former President of the United States and Solomon, an artificial intellect (called an “artilect”) created by brilliant coder Martha Chander and currently serving as the governor of a group of floating sea islands protecting the uber-wealthy in climate-controlled paradises.

Solomon wins, the main characters escape to a protectorate in the Middle East cloaked from Solomon, governed by Muslims, and run by a second artilect, Sulaiman who goes by Dinnj, set up secretly by Martha.

As the action begins five years later, Solomon’s rule is endangered as much of humanity resents the extreme and austere measures Solomon has had to put in place to reclaim the health of the earth and the survival of our species. Solomon has taken everyone out of their countries and cities of origin and mixed them up in huge, self-contained complexes of Mega Towers. The AI has done this to break down tribal allegiances and the war mongering that often accompanies them. Solomon also has to contend with competition and perhaps sabotage from the second artilect, who has created scenarios riling people up and laying the blame on Solomon. This leads to Solomon giving humanity an ultimatum: upgrade or unplug. Everyone upgrades (most already have sophisticated neuro brain chips allowing them to communicate with Solomon) and become more fully bio/tech integrated, or Solomon will turn off all tech and send everyone back to the dark ages pre-tech.

Factions of support and dissent abound. Threats, bombs, and social media havoc consume people. Philosophical and intellectual debates abound with differing perspectives among the main characters centering around what it means for humanity to be free and whether freedom is more important than anything if it may likely lead to humanity’s self-destruction. I would give this book a 5 stars as I did the first amazing book in the series, but I found that the plot got dragged down with lots of technical details, less character building than the first book, and a bit of meandering as the main characters investigate what’s really going on with Djinn and Solomon.

Weaver definitely leaves you deeply pondering where AI is heading, and whether humans could ever peacefully co-exist with AI, each other and the Earth.

Thanks to Del Ray, Random House, Inklore and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.