family drama
The Cassidy-Shaw family causes a fatal accident while their minivan is on auto-drive being commanded by the van’s Artificial Intelligence system. The 17-year old behind the wheel and the father in the passenger seat share the blame for causing the accident. But, as the book continues, we learn there were also extenuating circumstances which weren’t their fault. The matter of Culpability for the accident takes center stage in the novel, but the story also includes a multitude of other AI systems being employed in the characters’ lives. When AI is involved, who is responsible for decision-making? The AI or the people who created the AI?
As our lives continue to be inundated with the increasing presence of AI systems, making life easier in many ways while also raising a number of serious concerns, I was spellbound by this book. I loved the way Bruce Holsinger included various AI technologies, affecting people in ways from small to immense, making the reader feel both positive and negative about AI. It is being used in this world for both good and evil. We see AI being used in everything from individual smart phone apps to global warfare. It made me think a lot and also educated me on some aspects I hadn’t considered regarding AI. With AI, programmers have to define risks for the AI to use in its moral calculations. But the AI does not have a conscience.
The mother in the family happens to be an expert in AI algorithms. Snippets from the book she is writing about the ethics of AI, called “The Culpability of Artificial Minds”, is peppered throughout the novel. These serve to educate the reader about AI outside of the central story, filling in the AI picture more completely. Overall, I didn’t learn as much about AI as I anticipated. However, the amount of detail felt perfect for this novel. It didn’t get bogged down in overly technical explanations. Rather it tried to balance AI facts with the way it was directly affecting this family.
Holsinger conveniently made the father a lawyer, presumably, in order to speed up the character’s understanding of legal issues the family faced. At first, that made me roll my eyes. It was a bit too convenient that the parents worked in AI and law. And, also, for a lawyer, the dad was a bit slow to catch on to unfamiliar legal issues. But I understand why the author made those choices and was actually grateful for his efficiency in the flow of the story. There was also a bit of family dysfunction, issues of the haves vs. the have-nots, blame, and intent. I found it all fascinating. This novel is going to make for a great book club discussion!
The audiobook narrators were really terrific. January LaVoy always has a stellar vocal repertoire with spot-on voice acting and this was no exception. And Stacy Carolan was new to me but did a terrific job bringing the story to life. He also had a very good vocal repertoire. I give them both As.
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