Culpability

As one of the first books I have read that explores the ethics of AI, I found the balance between a fictional narrative and the realistic threats posed by artificially intelligent machines to be compellingly intertwined. Holsinger does an impressive job establishing both the setting and the realism of the story, successfully creating the atmosphere of a struggling family, each member burdened with their own secrets and personal realities.

However, there were a few aspects of the book that I felt could have been improved, particularly in how AI was integrated into the household. While the novel was fast-paced and detailed, I often found it frustrating to experience the entire story from the father’s perspective. He came across as a rather average and unremarkable character. Although I understand that this narrative choice was an intentional choice to highlight how an ordinary person navigates a world increasingly shaped by AI—I wished the story had offered deeper insight into the mind of Lorelei Shaw, the AI ethics genius.

Ultimately, this book prompted me to question whether the family members were victims or perpetrators of the struggles they faced, as well as to reflect on the role AI can play in the erosion of trust within our relationships.