Moral Code

Lois and Ross Melbourne

Type: ARC
Genre: Science fiction
Word count
: 107,950 

Dr. Keira Stetson, a champion of ethical AI, merges her company with billionaire Roy Brandt’s after his nanites save her and a group of children. But when others seek to weaponize the tech, Keira and her AI Elly must act fast to safeguard their Moral Operating System — and ensure the revolutionary SmartDust isn’t used for destruction.

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What’s this?

Dr. Keira Stetson is at the forefront of a technological revolution, driven by her dual passions: ethical artificial intelligence — AI with a conscience — and creating technology that enhances 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 makes a fateful decision to merge her company with Brandt’s. This strategic move not only grants Keira the much-needed funds for her own tech development, but also gives her access to Brandt’s powerful minuscule robots. In a bold move, she and her AI assistant, Elly, embed Keira’s trademark Moral Operating System in Brandt’s nanite SmartDust to ensure its ethical use.

Yet, Brandt’s groundbreaking technology has been shrouded in secrecy for a reason. Despite his noble intentions to enhance life, others have darker plans. Corporate raiders and the military seek to weaponize Brandt’s nanites, putting everything Keira has worked for in jeopardy. Exposed to the darker side of humanity, she and Elly must now navigate a perilous path to use this newfound tech for good and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands…before it’s too late.

Side-by-side, Lois and Ross Melbourne 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. You can learn more about Lois at www.loismelbourne.com. Ross’ current work includes artificial intelligence and robotics. You can learn more about him at www.rossmelbourne.com.

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