L. Philipp Naughton’s A.I.M.E is a chilling indication of what could possibly happen if we take AI too far.
A.I.M.E. is an acronym for Artificial Intelligence Manipulative Engineering and promises a new and better world for the human race. With it, natural disasters can be avoided, reducing the death toll and allowing the human race to live in peace and harmony in a calmer, more predictable world.
Elgie, a young gamer with a wild gang background, is recruited to test what he believes is a new game. It’s all going well until he learns that those natural disasters he is eliminating in the game are in fact happening in real life. And his actions in the game are the cause!
With the help of some new friends, he uncovers the plot of the evil Eleanor Ham-Bardon, owner of HBT Inc and her military contacts, but does he get the help he needs in time to stop Eleanor’s plot to take over the world?
Naughton weaves an intricate story line peopled with believable, if a little over the top characters. The story is well-paced, and moves quickly through the scenes, revealing a little more of Eleanor’s plot as it goes along.
The book’s black cover foretells the doom that awaits the world if those who have developed A.I.M.E. get their way. The blurb is well-written, giving away enough of the story to entice the reader in without ruining the plot.
Naughton is a talented storyteller and writer. I enjoyed his style and look forward to reading more of his work in the future. Overall, A.I.M.E. is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I have awarded this book 5 stars.
