Synopsis:
It is five years since a global vote elected an AI leader, Solomon, to give humanity one last chance of survival in the face of crippling climate change. The world might be in recovery, but humankind is suffering—and rebelling—under Solomon’s governance. The choice was far from unanimous, and resentment is running high.
As acts of sabotage and civil disobedience increase, a disgusted Solomon offers the people of the world a final choice: Upgrade or Unplug. Upgrade means irrevocably merging with artificial intelligence as a way of deleting the destructive nature of the species. Unplug will brick every chip, including Solomon himself, and humanity will begin again in a pre-digital age.
Humanity has eighteen days to decide before civilization tips over into complete anarchy. One vote. No appeal. A simple majority wins. How will humanity vote this time? And how much choice do they really have?
Review:
I’ve read this book more than six times. Maybe not this copy of the manuscript, but some form of it.
Despite that, there were parts that STILL made me tear up even though I had read them multiple times in 2025. Even though I knew they were coming.
This was my most anticipated sequel of the year.
Full disclosure, I was Tom’s PA. I read this manuscript as he wrote it. I poured all my passion and excitement of books and Artificial Wisdom into everything I did.
I no longer work as a PA, but trust me when I say my excitement existed long before. Artificial wisdom was one of my favourite reads of 2024 after reading it in March, way before I ever could have imagined I’d end up where I did.
Okay, now that’s out of the way, why should YOU read this without spoiling anything about book one?
It is set in 2050 with Infinite Wisdom taking place five years later. Climate change has wrecked the world. A vote was decided to choose a global Protector; a dictator to manage the world without varying and halting politics. One of the candidates was an AI governor.
This is a mash of genres that blend perfectly together, creating an addicting and thought-provoking read: sci fi, dystopian, climate fiction, mystery, techno thriller.
“It is in the striving where life is found. It is in the messiness that we discover the true meaning of being human.”
The writing is propulsive and the stakes extremely high. The characters are deeply realised and go through satisfying (devastating) emotional character arcs in the sequel.
Despite the hopelessness, the strength of the human spirit is apparent throughout. Despite human selfishness, there is loyalty and a desire for justice. Despite the prevailing tech, the art of storytelling (or truth telling in Tully’s case) is at the forefront.
Funny thing, choices. They never tell you the price up front.
Funny thing, choices. They come dressed as freedom and leave you holding the chains.
Anyway, I can’t review this without bias.
I am literally in the acknowledgements at the end (and yes I did freak out, and yes, I will be buying a copy for my family just so they can see that – also to read, they all loved Artificial Wisdom).
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