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Moral Code
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.
“Smart, riveting and next gen.” — Pamela Wirth, CEO and author of Saving My Son
"...a provocative science fiction novel featuring the union of two unrivaled, intelligent technologies." — Foreword Clarion Reviews
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.
“Smart, riveting and next gen.” — Pamela Wirth, CEO and author of Saving My Son
"...a provocative science fiction novel featuring the union of two unrivaled, intelligent technologies." — Foreword Clarion Reviews
380 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2022
29 people are currently reading
4704 people want to read
About the author
Lois Melbourne
3 books35 followersAuthor Lois Melbourne’s career, as the CEO of a tech company for human resources, led her directly to the path of the diverse genre of books she has written. Her books in the My Future Story series help kids explore careers. She’s seen first-hand, around the world, why matching people to their best career paths is powerful. Her tech experience and working with her Chief Technology Officer and husband, Ross, led to the intricacies of artificial intelligence in her debut novel, Moral Code.
An optimist and a realist, her journey through the creation of Moral Code encourages her hope that technology can be created for the betterment of society and not the dystopian path many believe is inevitable. Believing in the root of our best futures is the betterment of our kid’s lives, Lois paints the challenges and the opportunities in front of us.
A midwest kid, turned Texas adult, Lois is convinced one of the happiest things to see is a happy dog’s trot. Happy places include: looking at water-based landscapes, reading, writing or watching Formula One.
An optimist and a realist, her journey through the creation of Moral Code encourages her hope that technology can be created for the betterment of society and not the dystopian path many believe is inevitable. Believing in the root of our best futures is the betterment of our kid’s lives, Lois paints the challenges and the opportunities in front of us.
A midwest kid, turned Texas adult, Lois is convinced one of the happiest things to see is a happy dog’s trot. Happy places include: looking at water-based landscapes, reading, writing or watching Formula One.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
September 19, 2022
Moral Code is a novel that celebrates both women in STEM fields and the possibilities that come as artificial intelligence continues to be developed. We first meet Elly, a character in her own right, who is Keira's virtual assistant. From the beginning, Elly shows signs of being more than the sum of her programming, and it's fascinating to watch the story unold and see her creep ever closer to consciousness, while still being beholden to the "moral code" of the title - which is sort of an ethical subroutine, but one that can grow and one that is situational.
Then come the nanites. Created by Roy Brandt, these are deployed in a rescue mission after Keira is trapped by an earthquake, and while they are also a form of AI, unlike Elly, they don't really have a personality or a name. Elly is an assistant; the nanites are tools, at least for now.
The relationship between Keira and Roy is also interesting to watch. Keira is a strong, self-possessed woman who is both creative and extremely knowledgeable. Roy has the arrogance that comes with money and success, but while he's an antagonist to Keira at times, he's never a villain. If anything, the villain in this story is human greed and corruption.
Lois and Ross Melbourne have crafted a well-paced story that balances humanity and AI, and feels plausible, if not right now, than in our near-future. From the smallest child in the class Keira visits to the various engineers at Brandt's company, the characters all feel dimensional and real. My husband works in tech, and I have encountered many of the personalities depicted in this story. What I truly appreciated, though, was that there was never too much technobabble, and when things did get extremely technical, they were accompanied with explanations that less tech-savvy readers will understand, and - even better - nothing ever felt like there was too much exposition.
Bottom line: if you love real science in your science fiction, if you're fond of artificial intelligence, and if you really want to see more strong female characters in STEM fields, this book is for you.
Goes well with: Dr. Pepper and nacho cheese Doritos, the unofficial snack of geeks everywhere.
Then come the nanites. Created by Roy Brandt, these are deployed in a rescue mission after Keira is trapped by an earthquake, and while they are also a form of AI, unlike Elly, they don't really have a personality or a name. Elly is an assistant; the nanites are tools, at least for now.
The relationship between Keira and Roy is also interesting to watch. Keira is a strong, self-possessed woman who is both creative and extremely knowledgeable. Roy has the arrogance that comes with money and success, but while he's an antagonist to Keira at times, he's never a villain. If anything, the villain in this story is human greed and corruption.
Lois and Ross Melbourne have crafted a well-paced story that balances humanity and AI, and feels plausible, if not right now, than in our near-future. From the smallest child in the class Keira visits to the various engineers at Brandt's company, the characters all feel dimensional and real. My husband works in tech, and I have encountered many of the personalities depicted in this story. What I truly appreciated, though, was that there was never too much technobabble, and when things did get extremely technical, they were accompanied with explanations that less tech-savvy readers will understand, and - even better - nothing ever felt like there was too much exposition.
Bottom line: if you love real science in your science fiction, if you're fond of artificial intelligence, and if you really want to see more strong female characters in STEM fields, this book is for you.
Goes well with: Dr. Pepper and nacho cheese Doritos, the unofficial snack of geeks everywhere.
October 13, 2022
First of all, thank you so much Books Forward for sending me this book with swag. It was very much appreciated.
Honestly, I am not smart enough for this book. That’s the best way to say it. The science element in it is so amazing, but I didn’t understand most of it. I though Elly was so cool, and the fact that try to help save kids from childhood trauma? So touching. I really enjoyed how the ending was 100 years later talking about Dr. Stetson’s work truly changed the world.
If your a big science nerd, this book is absolutely for you.
Honestly, I am not smart enough for this book. That’s the best way to say it. The science element in it is so amazing, but I didn’t understand most of it. I though Elly was so cool, and the fact that try to help save kids from childhood trauma? So touching. I really enjoyed how the ending was 100 years later talking about Dr. Stetson’s work truly changed the world.
If your a big science nerd, this book is absolutely for you.
September 30, 2022
I love Sci-Fi so when I was given the chance to read Moral Code I had to jump on it. I'm glad I did!
I haven't read many books with sentient AI at the core of the story. I absolutely love Elly and how she grows throughout the story. As scary as the thought of self-aware robots are, Elly is a look at what the future could hold. Even still, it makes me think of I, Robot and sends chills down my spine.
Nanites have always fascinated me. The use of them in this story was creative, helping and furthering society in a good way.
Keira is a great main character. She is smart, strong, and well rounded. Brandt is a great counterpart and the two together make for an easy to love and hard to put down story.
Of course, with this type of technology, there is always someone trying to weaponise it. I enjoyed this aspect of the story and the underlying good vs. evil thread.
Overall, this is a well-written Sci-Fi mixed with some thrills. One definitely made for fans of this genre. I sincerely appreciate the publisher and Books Forward for the review copy. While a review wasn't expected, I have offered my opinion and these are my own thoughts.
I haven't read many books with sentient AI at the core of the story. I absolutely love Elly and how she grows throughout the story. As scary as the thought of self-aware robots are, Elly is a look at what the future could hold. Even still, it makes me think of I, Robot and sends chills down my spine.
Nanites have always fascinated me. The use of them in this story was creative, helping and furthering society in a good way.
Keira is a great main character. She is smart, strong, and well rounded. Brandt is a great counterpart and the two together make for an easy to love and hard to put down story.
Of course, with this type of technology, there is always someone trying to weaponise it. I enjoyed this aspect of the story and the underlying good vs. evil thread.
Overall, this is a well-written Sci-Fi mixed with some thrills. One definitely made for fans of this genre. I sincerely appreciate the publisher and Books Forward for the review copy. While a review wasn't expected, I have offered my opinion and these are my own thoughts.
April 10, 2023
From the beginning, “Moral Code” will grip readers!
Read full review in the 2023 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2023 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
no-plans-to-finish
February 28, 2023This one had an exciting and interesting sounding blurb, but I was disappointed. It starts out with this uncomfortable situation where a presumably white, US American woman is helping poor, orphaned children through an earthquake in Honduras. It feels very white savior-y.
This woman is the main character and has an AI she has been developing to make ethical decisions and to help children. This is fine and cool, except that the main character is an utterly saccharine Mary Sue. It doesn't help that the audiobook reader (who really did a great job overall) gives this character a syrupy, sweet voice.
So I was a bit annoyed with these things and would have dnf'd if it wasn't an arc, but I pressed on. My breaking point came at the 64% mark. This is when the child abuse portrayed became too much for me. This can be a trigger for me. It depends a lot on the portrayal because sometimes it doesn't bother me as much, but this did trigger me.
Aside from the annoyances and trigger, this book is asking and exploring some interesting questions. I wish I could have finished it to see if it comes together well in the end or makes any interesting points.
This woman is the main character and has an AI she has been developing to make ethical decisions and to help children. This is fine and cool, except that the main character is an utterly saccharine Mary Sue. It doesn't help that the audiobook reader (who really did a great job overall) gives this character a syrupy, sweet voice.
So I was a bit annoyed with these things and would have dnf'd if it wasn't an arc, but I pressed on. My breaking point came at the 64% mark. This is when the child abuse portrayed became too much for me. This can be a trigger for me. It depends a lot on the portrayal because sometimes it doesn't bother me as much, but this did trigger me.
Aside from the annoyances and trigger, this book is asking and exploring some interesting questions. I wish I could have finished it to see if it comes together well in the end or makes any interesting points.
January 4, 2023
A 3.5 rounded up to a four for a strong premise and good execution!
Set in a near future, we see two world-changing techs come together to create something more. I loved the play on a 'three laws' type AI by being a pioneer of Moral OS... literal Moral learning built into the foundation of thought.
The only critique I, an unskilled writer (lol), would have was not the overuse of commas the Melbournes called themselves out on, but the somewhat stilted dialogue. If communication is the outline of dialogue and coloring is the emotional content, much of this novel was black and white.
Overall, though, a solid read that I'm glad I picked up!
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Set in a near future, we see two world-changing techs come together to create something more. I loved the play on a 'three laws' type AI by being a pioneer of Moral OS... literal Moral learning built into the foundation of thought.
The only critique I, an unskilled writer (lol), would have was not the overuse of commas the Melbournes called themselves out on, but the somewhat stilted dialogue. If communication is the outline of dialogue and coloring is the emotional content, much of this novel was black and white.
Overall, though, a solid read that I'm glad I picked up!
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 29, 2025
Unexpected. As someone who uses and appreciates AI, this was an intriguing book for me to pick up. It takes a far in the future approach to what AI and the technology could become. But intertwining with that futuristic view is the ethics of its use. It was more than I expected and while tech focused it also was heartwarming.
September 18, 2022
For those who fear advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) or who think that only negative outcomes will ensue from the imminent "AI Revolution," MORAL CODE, set in the slightly near-future and utilizing both Artificial Intelligence and nanology, is an eye-opener. Some decades ago a common programmers' acronym read "GIGO": "Garbage in, Garbage out"; simply, what is programmed into the computer is what decides the results, positive or useless. MORAL CODE renders hope for the Future.
January 26, 2023
his is the first book review I've done with a NetGalley book in many, many, years. I'm still getting back into the reviewing game and dusting off my rusty reviewing self. I am so excited to get to listen to the audio of this story, it made my commute very entertaining. I also want to commend the amount of authors that are positively bringing women in STEM into their stories. I adore this. That being said AI just freaks me out, and Elly kind of freaked me out a bit too. I love the concept of using the AI and nanites to help people, specifically kids. What freaks me out though is the learning of AI and how they can take over and do their own thing. How governments and general bad guys would want the technology for their own nefarious gain. This book touches on all of that. With that being said Elly and Keira have just a great relationship. You can feel the motherly affection that Keira has for Elly. She is helping her grow, asking questions to understand, as a mother would for a child. I just really enjoyed that dynamic. Overall, the narration was done pretty well, in some cases a little bland and hard to distinguish different characters, but once I got used to it, I could distinguish what was going on. If you enjoy sci-fi with a heavy dose of science you will definitely enjoy this story.
January 28, 2023
I really really wanted to enjoy this but did end up being slightly disappointed. It just felt very busy I couldn’t properly grasp the plot? So I’m not sure if I can give an accurate plot summary since I’m still quite confused. I know it mentioned something called does a lot which I think was some type of AI, and there seemed to be a big focus on protecting children but that’s all I really understood? What I will say though is it wasn’t a *bad* book, like it was good in a sense. Just busy & not the easiest to follow. I don’t know if part of that was due to me reading it as an audiobook so I think I’d definitely try a written version in the future to see if that helps as the story does have a lot of potential. And yeah, I do recommend you give it a try but don’t be surprised if you struggle to keep track of what’s going on
Thank you to both netgalley & the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to both netgalley & the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
January 6, 2023
Perfect for fans of AI science-fiction, with the added bonus of women in STEM representation. I enjoyed the sentient AI and the focus on ethics and who draws the lines. I enjoyed the technology aspects of the book with nanites and the possibilities of these nanites and also the moral dilemma involved with the use of them.
I feel the main character, Keira was so well written and relatable in her quest to do everything in her power to help those in need while also trying to balance her moral code. I liked Roy Brandt, the financier and genius in his own right and his team of engineers. All of the characters contributed to the story and felt like real individuals from the sleazy ones to the good ones.
Sometimes I feel like science fiction is beyond my grasp (or interest) but this one was multi-faceted enough to keep me engaged throughout.
I feel the main character, Keira was so well written and relatable in her quest to do everything in her power to help those in need while also trying to balance her moral code. I liked Roy Brandt, the financier and genius in his own right and his team of engineers. All of the characters contributed to the story and felt like real individuals from the sleazy ones to the good ones.
Sometimes I feel like science fiction is beyond my grasp (or interest) but this one was multi-faceted enough to keep me engaged throughout.
January 11, 2023
Comencé a escuchar el audiolibro de Moral Code sin muchas expectativas porque los autores me eran desconocidos, pero el tema de las inteligencias artificiales me atrae mucho, sobre todo aplicado a un futuro muy cercano como es el caso. Además, se hace hincapié en el aspecto ético de la creación y el uso de este tipo de inteligencias, algo de lo que ya nos da pistas el título del libro, que me parece muy pero que muy adecuado.
El comienzo es bastante prometedor, ya que conoceremos a Keira, una ingeniera que ha desarrollado su propia IA, llamada Elly. Cuando estaban desarrollando una labor humanitaria se encuentran en una situación límite por un terremoto y ahí da comienzo la relación de ambas con Roy Brandt, el desarrollador de unos nanorobots que en secreto realizan tareas de salvamento... y otras muchas cosas.
Tras este encuentro casual y muchas conversaciones, Keira y Roy se dan cuenta de que si unen sus fuerzas conseguirán mejorar mucho los nanorobots, sobre todo con el MoralOS, el sistema operativo que sirve como brújula moral para Elly pero que es aplicable en otros entornos.
continúa en http://www.fantasticaficcion.com/?p=1...
El comienzo es bastante prometedor, ya que conoceremos a Keira, una ingeniera que ha desarrollado su propia IA, llamada Elly. Cuando estaban desarrollando una labor humanitaria se encuentran en una situación límite por un terremoto y ahí da comienzo la relación de ambas con Roy Brandt, el desarrollador de unos nanorobots que en secreto realizan tareas de salvamento... y otras muchas cosas.
Tras este encuentro casual y muchas conversaciones, Keira y Roy se dan cuenta de que si unen sus fuerzas conseguirán mejorar mucho los nanorobots, sobre todo con el MoralOS, el sistema operativo que sirve como brújula moral para Elly pero que es aplicable en otros entornos.
continúa en http://www.fantasticaficcion.com/?p=1...
February 3, 2023
This book begs the question: whose morality is of greater concern - AI or humans?
I enjoyed this book and the science infused into the development of Elly the virtual assistant and everything that happens as humans try to steal the tech for their own gains. Keira, who created Elly, was a strong woman in STEM and I adored having her as the main character championing Elly and morality. Characters were well fleshed out and as someone who works at a medtech startup, I can say that many of the personalities felt very familiar.
The real science basis for much of the book made this story feel like something that could happen sooner rather than later and that gave the book a sense of reality that scifi stories usually lack. That being said, if you 'aren't very techy (like me), you can still follow the science well enough to understand the book.
Overall, this was a much more realistic-feeling book than I expected when I picked up a scifi story but I recommend it to anyone who loves scifi based in current science knowledge - or just enjoys a STEM smart, strong, female MC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Nonlinear Publishing, LLC for the opportunity to review this book ahead of publication. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I enjoyed this book and the science infused into the development of Elly the virtual assistant and everything that happens as humans try to steal the tech for their own gains. Keira, who created Elly, was a strong woman in STEM and I adored having her as the main character championing Elly and morality. Characters were well fleshed out and as someone who works at a medtech startup, I can say that many of the personalities felt very familiar.
The real science basis for much of the book made this story feel like something that could happen sooner rather than later and that gave the book a sense of reality that scifi stories usually lack. That being said, if you 'aren't very techy (like me), you can still follow the science well enough to understand the book.
Overall, this was a much more realistic-feeling book than I expected when I picked up a scifi story but I recommend it to anyone who loves scifi based in current science knowledge - or just enjoys a STEM smart, strong, female MC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Nonlinear Publishing, LLC for the opportunity to review this book ahead of publication. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
July 13, 2023
I honestly found this book extremely boring despite a really interesting premise. The plot is conveyed almost entirely through strangely stilted conversations and exposition, with way too much "tell" as opposed to "show". Also, I found non of the characters to be interesting or likable. Many of the characters are presented as either the good guys or the bad guys and frankly the good guys to be super annoying because of how morally superior they act and belive themselves to be at all times. Having characters with flaws, who struggle and learn and change over the course of a book is important. Yes, the plot got more interesting toward the end but it wasn't really worth everything else. I honestly think this should have been a novella or short story instead.
The audiobook was fine. There in no way I would have gotten through this if I was reading the physical or ebook but I think considering all the conversations this book had it might have helped to have more diversity in the way the characters sounded because they really blended together for me, especially in the beginning when you are meting like 17 new characters right away.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review.
The audiobook was fine. There in no way I would have gotten through this if I was reading the physical or ebook but I think considering all the conversations this book had it might have helped to have more diversity in the way the characters sounded because they really blended together for me, especially in the beginning when you are meting like 17 new characters right away.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2023
Perfect for fans of AI science-fiction, with the added bonus of women in STEM representation. I enjoyed the sentient AI and the focus on ethics and who draws the lines. I enjoyed the technology aspects of the book with nanites and the possibilities of these nanites and also the moral dilemma involved with the use of them.
I feel the main character, Keira was so well written and relatable in her quest to do everything in her power to help those in need while also trying to balance her moral code. I liked Roy Brandt, the financier and genius in his own right and his team of engineers. All of the characters contributed to the story and felt like real individuals from the sleazy ones to the good ones.
Sometimes I feel like science fiction is beyond my grasp (or interest) but this one was multi-faceted enough to keep me engaged throughout.
I feel the main character, Keira was so well written and relatable in her quest to do everything in her power to help those in need while also trying to balance her moral code. I liked Roy Brandt, the financier and genius in his own right and his team of engineers. All of the characters contributed to the story and felt like real individuals from the sleazy ones to the good ones.
Sometimes I feel like science fiction is beyond my grasp (or interest) but this one was multi-faceted enough to keep me engaged throughout.
October 3, 2022
Consider what possibilities might open up—for good or ill—if programmers could code artificial intelligence into nano-scale robots. Just imagine robots so small and so capable that they could burrow into virtually any microscopically small space, operate individually or as a swarm, and broadcast their findings to distant human (or AI) operators. Undetectable surveillance. Noninvasive microsurgery. Murder by proxy. And so much more. We might no longer recognize the world. And this is the increasingly likely reality that coauthors Lois and Ross Melbourne explore in Moral Code, their troubling novel about potentially dangerous robots.
INTRODUCING ETHICS AND MORALS INTO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The heroine of Moral Code is Dr. Keira Stetson, the creator of the Moral Operating System (MoralOS) that is open to all online. She has built the MoralOS into her AI assistant, Elly, and large numbers of others around the world have enrolled in the open-source program she launched. But Keira’s focus in her company, Opal Technologies, is “to bring educational tech where it was needed the most.” She is on-site in Honduras, where she and her team are conducting a “focus group” introducing slum children to Opal’s know-it-all, AI-driven “costly little robots.” There, buried under tons of rubble from an 8.8 Richter-scale earthquake, she first encounters the nanobots dispatched by one of the world’s richest men to help in the rescue effort.
DANGEROUS ROBOTS THAT HOLD POTENTIAL FOR GOOD OR EVIL
Roy Brandt is “the tech billionaire and owner of Searcher Technologies,” a secretive private firm that has married artificial intelligence with multi-purpose nanobots. He fully recognizes that his creation can be used for great evil and has built multiple layers of security around the company to prevent prying eyes to discover their existence. Roy and his team fly into Honduras to aid the international effort to rescue hundreds of men, women, and children buried in the ruins of the capital. Keira and the six children she and her robots are working with are among those Searcher’s tech rescues when all else has failed.
“They came with laptops, earbuds, transmitters, receivers, and a canister of what some might call magic,” the Melbournes write. Roy and his team call it Dust. “It wasn’t magic. It was engineered, and these people were its creators. Nano engineers and artificial intelligence experts weren’t typically on speed dial for disasters, until now.” And the chance meeting between Keira and Roy leads over time to a partnership that promises to fulfill the dreams of both teams . . . until everything goes badly wrong. If the potential for evil as well as good is present, it’s almost inevitable that someone will choose the darker path.
The science on which Moral Code is based appears to be solid. After all, it represents coauthor Ross Melbourne’s long-time field of work. And nanobots are not a figment of his imagination. They represent an emerging field estimated to generate $8.6 billion in revenue by 2025. However, the execution of the story is less accomplished. The novel moves slowly, dragged down by often seemingly endless bouts of dialogue about matters that might well have been better presented through action. But it’s well worth reading for the science alone.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
As the website Biblioteca notes, “Moral Code is not the first collaboration for the husband-and-wife team of Lois and Ross Melbourne. Side-by-side, they 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. And for more about them and the book, you can visit, www.MoralCodeTheBook.com.”
INTRODUCING ETHICS AND MORALS INTO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The heroine of Moral Code is Dr. Keira Stetson, the creator of the Moral Operating System (MoralOS) that is open to all online. She has built the MoralOS into her AI assistant, Elly, and large numbers of others around the world have enrolled in the open-source program she launched. But Keira’s focus in her company, Opal Technologies, is “to bring educational tech where it was needed the most.” She is on-site in Honduras, where she and her team are conducting a “focus group” introducing slum children to Opal’s know-it-all, AI-driven “costly little robots.” There, buried under tons of rubble from an 8.8 Richter-scale earthquake, she first encounters the nanobots dispatched by one of the world’s richest men to help in the rescue effort.
DANGEROUS ROBOTS THAT HOLD POTENTIAL FOR GOOD OR EVIL
Roy Brandt is “the tech billionaire and owner of Searcher Technologies,” a secretive private firm that has married artificial intelligence with multi-purpose nanobots. He fully recognizes that his creation can be used for great evil and has built multiple layers of security around the company to prevent prying eyes to discover their existence. Roy and his team fly into Honduras to aid the international effort to rescue hundreds of men, women, and children buried in the ruins of the capital. Keira and the six children she and her robots are working with are among those Searcher’s tech rescues when all else has failed.
“They came with laptops, earbuds, transmitters, receivers, and a canister of what some might call magic,” the Melbournes write. Roy and his team call it Dust. “It wasn’t magic. It was engineered, and these people were its creators. Nano engineers and artificial intelligence experts weren’t typically on speed dial for disasters, until now.” And the chance meeting between Keira and Roy leads over time to a partnership that promises to fulfill the dreams of both teams . . . until everything goes badly wrong. If the potential for evil as well as good is present, it’s almost inevitable that someone will choose the darker path.
The science on which Moral Code is based appears to be solid. After all, it represents coauthor Ross Melbourne’s long-time field of work. And nanobots are not a figment of his imagination. They represent an emerging field estimated to generate $8.6 billion in revenue by 2025. However, the execution of the story is less accomplished. The novel moves slowly, dragged down by often seemingly endless bouts of dialogue about matters that might well have been better presented through action. But it’s well worth reading for the science alone.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
As the website Biblioteca notes, “Moral Code is not the first collaboration for the husband-and-wife team of Lois and Ross Melbourne. Side-by-side, they 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. And for more about them and the book, you can visit, www.MoralCodeTheBook.com.”
April 16, 2025
I took longer than I normally would to read this because I had a lot to consider. I’ve struggled with the premise: how do we ensure ethics in our current runaway AI Cold War? With each big tech trying to catch up to or outdo the others, I don’t think any of them care about Jeff Golblum’s line in Jurassic Park:
“Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.”
This is sort of near future science fiction with fantasy elements (the NanoBorg as described can only be fantasy, but that’s my opinion). And it’s scary. Not the nanites - those are fiction (trillions? Big numbers are hard to wrap the head around. If 1,000 printers churned out one nanite per second, it would take almost 32 to make that one sample set.) But the surveillance and intrusion, ubiquity, … the overreach. These are questions the authors dance around in a melding of Forbin's project and Skynet (but with a ...moral code) and the caretaker thematic element. They answer some but I wonder how it is that only one AI seems to exist in their world. Incongruent with what we are seeing in ours.
(Disclosure: I received a review copy from the authors through Voracious Readers Only.)
The actions and decisions of just one character turning (almost) bad actor with ostensible good intentions are alarming. What if there was an entire administration of bad actors? Things would not go well. You'll have to read how that plays out in the story world, but in ours? I'm back to the runaway AIs with few controls. I'll just hope for this, from the author's bio:
"An optimist and a realist, her journey through the creation of Moral Code encourages her hope that technology can be created for the betterment of society and not the dystopian path many believe is inevitable. Believing in the root of our best futures is the betterment of our kid’s lives, Lois paints the challenges and the opportunities in front of us."
She did paint both challenges and opportunities in here.
I liked this line:
When people aren’t curious enough to learn about others, they get scared of them. He made sure I knew that defensiveness is often used to prevent exposing personal ignorance.
This, a little less:
"I’m sure you’re familiar with the 30 Million Word Initiative. It was founded in the early 2000s by Hart and Risley. Their study showed that children from lower-income families hear a staggering 30 million fewer words than children from higher-income families by the time they’re four years old. This disparity set the children back on learning for the rest of their lives."
So… I looked into this. Nit picking? Like some other contemporary fiction I’ve read, this is an anchor to something based in reality. And there are big problems with it. Hart and Ridley published their study in 1992, but one of the thing *I* look for when digging into academic papers is the sample size, repeat (corroborating) studies, demographics and other factors included. The 30 million number comes from just one study, begun almost 50 years ago, with only 42 families. Recent studies have estimated the number to be considerably smaller. Okay. Nit picked.
For the author, a couple of caught typos:
In "Dream Crusher" chapter: "Don’t get too cocky, but that one will do well when it’s contract plays out."
Should be “its contract”
In "Generational Impact", "...presumed identity of the young man in his sites..."
Should be "sights".
“Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.”
This is sort of near future science fiction with fantasy elements (the NanoBorg as described can only be fantasy, but that’s my opinion). And it’s scary. Not the nanites - those are fiction (trillions? Big numbers are hard to wrap the head around. If 1,000 printers churned out one nanite per second, it would take almost 32 to make that one sample set.) But the surveillance and intrusion, ubiquity, … the overreach. These are questions the authors dance around in a melding of Forbin's project and Skynet (but with a ...moral code) and the caretaker thematic element. They answer some but I wonder how it is that only one AI seems to exist in their world. Incongruent with what we are seeing in ours.
(Disclosure: I received a review copy from the authors through Voracious Readers Only.)
The actions and decisions of just one character turning (almost) bad actor with ostensible good intentions are alarming. What if there was an entire administration of bad actors? Things would not go well. You'll have to read how that plays out in the story world, but in ours? I'm back to the runaway AIs with few controls. I'll just hope for this, from the author's bio:
"An optimist and a realist, her journey through the creation of Moral Code encourages her hope that technology can be created for the betterment of society and not the dystopian path many believe is inevitable. Believing in the root of our best futures is the betterment of our kid’s lives, Lois paints the challenges and the opportunities in front of us."
She did paint both challenges and opportunities in here.
I liked this line:
When people aren’t curious enough to learn about others, they get scared of them. He made sure I knew that defensiveness is often used to prevent exposing personal ignorance.
This, a little less:
"I’m sure you’re familiar with the 30 Million Word Initiative. It was founded in the early 2000s by Hart and Risley. Their study showed that children from lower-income families hear a staggering 30 million fewer words than children from higher-income families by the time they’re four years old. This disparity set the children back on learning for the rest of their lives."
So… I looked into this. Nit picking? Like some other contemporary fiction I’ve read, this is an anchor to something based in reality. And there are big problems with it. Hart and Ridley published their study in 1992, but one of the thing *I* look for when digging into academic papers is the sample size, repeat (corroborating) studies, demographics and other factors included. The 30 million number comes from just one study, begun almost 50 years ago, with only 42 families. Recent studies have estimated the number to be considerably smaller. Okay. Nit picked.
For the author, a couple of caught typos:
In "Dream Crusher" chapter: "Don’t get too cocky, but that one will do well when it’s contract plays out."
Should be “its contract”
In "Generational Impact", "...presumed identity of the young man in his sites..."
Should be "sights".
April 22, 2023
It has been quite some time since I last read a science fiction book, particularly one that delves into the realm of artificial intelligence. I believe my most recent read in this genre was Martha Wells’ The Murderbot Diaries. However, I must admit that I have mixed feelings about Moral Code. As a software engineer, especially as someone who is working on AI technology, I thoroughly appreciated the remarkable concept and the vast knowledge base that is evident in the book’s writing. It comes as no surprise, considering that it is written by two renowned figures in the software industry. Moral Code is a riveting exploration of the ethical conundrums posed by technological progress. The characters at the center of the narrative are compellingly human, with relatable flaws that bring them to life. They confront daily challenges that are foreign to most of us today, navigating morally ambiguous terrain that resists simple solutions. This is not a simplistic tale of good versus evil, but rather a nuanced examination of competing interests that refuse to conform to easy categorization.
Nevertheless, while there were certainly some positive aspects to the book, there were also some negative elements that I found hard to ignore. The plot, to the extent that it existed, was overshadowed by the contentious politics of the STEM industry. The characters were relatively undeveloped, and the dialogue felt stilted and unnatural. I found it challenging to empathize with the majority of the characters. Even in informal settings, their language remained highly formal, making them appear less relatable and human to me. At times, the characters seemed to be on par with the AI in terms of emotional depth and complexity. The writing was so technical, at one point I began to wonder whether an average reader would be able to understand the magnitude of the concept and its components and enjoy the story at the same time. Furthermore the pacing was extremely slow. I feel I would have enjoyed the technical side of this book as a thesis but not as an actual novel.
I honestly didn’t relate to any of the characters. Keira didn’t want to welcome any criticism or debate. If she disliked or disagreed a certain point her go to solution was to leave. I understand this could have been an attempt to make her character look flawed but it made me question the authenticity of the character. Roy Brandt was your typical sci-fi ‘tech billionaire’ that is so secretive and shady and didn’t anything novel to the story. Elly, the AI, was the only character I truly liked.
In conclusion, Moral Code could have been a great book, if the author spent enough time developing the characters properly and paid attention to the plot and the pacing as much as they did with the technical aspects of the book.
Nevertheless, while there were certainly some positive aspects to the book, there were also some negative elements that I found hard to ignore. The plot, to the extent that it existed, was overshadowed by the contentious politics of the STEM industry. The characters were relatively undeveloped, and the dialogue felt stilted and unnatural. I found it challenging to empathize with the majority of the characters. Even in informal settings, their language remained highly formal, making them appear less relatable and human to me. At times, the characters seemed to be on par with the AI in terms of emotional depth and complexity. The writing was so technical, at one point I began to wonder whether an average reader would be able to understand the magnitude of the concept and its components and enjoy the story at the same time. Furthermore the pacing was extremely slow. I feel I would have enjoyed the technical side of this book as a thesis but not as an actual novel.
I honestly didn’t relate to any of the characters. Keira didn’t want to welcome any criticism or debate. If she disliked or disagreed a certain point her go to solution was to leave. I understand this could have been an attempt to make her character look flawed but it made me question the authenticity of the character. Roy Brandt was your typical sci-fi ‘tech billionaire’ that is so secretive and shady and didn’t anything novel to the story. Elly, the AI, was the only character I truly liked.
In conclusion, Moral Code could have been a great book, if the author spent enough time developing the characters properly and paid attention to the plot and the pacing as much as they did with the technical aspects of the book.
August 28, 2024
The gripping science fiction book Moral Code by Lois and Ross Melbourne explores the moral issues and complexities of artificial intelligence. The narrative centers on Dr. Keira Stetson, a visionary scientist who is committed to developing moral artificial intelligence and technology that improves the lives of kids. Billionaire Roy Brandt's ground-breaking nanite technology saves her and a group of young children when they are trapped in an earthquake. This sets the scenario for an exciting investigation into the possibilities and risks of technology.
The novel is unique for its original take on AI, which turns the conventional story of "AI gone wrong" on its head. Rather, it poses the fascinating topic of what happens if AI surpasses human moral reasoning and is guided by a moral code. The Moral Operating System, which Keira created and integrated into Brandt's nanite technology, addressed the moral dilemmas presented by cutting-edge technology and served as a stimulating basis for the narrative.
The characters offer a novel viewpoint to the STEM-heavy narrative, especially Keira. Keira is a strong, clever female lead, and her journey is both realistic and motivational. The story becomes more intricate as her and Roy Brandt's friendship develops and they deal with the ethical conundrums raised by their revolutionary inventions. Another standout character is Elly, Keira's AI helper, who progressively demonstrates sentience, adding to the suspense and complexity of the narrative.
But the book is not without its problems. There are moments when the pacing drags, particularly in the middle when the narrative slows down due to technical explanations and moral arguments. Furthermore, a few of the supporting characters are flat and function more as story devices than as fully realized people.
In spite of these small issues, Moral Code is still a thought-provoking and compelling book to read. The Melbournes deftly strike a balance between narrative accessibility and technical information to make difficult subjects comprehensible without overwhelming the reader. In the modern world, the novel's examination of technology as a weapon for potential exploitation as well as a force for good is especially pertinent.
The novel is unique for its original take on AI, which turns the conventional story of "AI gone wrong" on its head. Rather, it poses the fascinating topic of what happens if AI surpasses human moral reasoning and is guided by a moral code. The Moral Operating System, which Keira created and integrated into Brandt's nanite technology, addressed the moral dilemmas presented by cutting-edge technology and served as a stimulating basis for the narrative.
The characters offer a novel viewpoint to the STEM-heavy narrative, especially Keira. Keira is a strong, clever female lead, and her journey is both realistic and motivational. The story becomes more intricate as her and Roy Brandt's friendship develops and they deal with the ethical conundrums raised by their revolutionary inventions. Another standout character is Elly, Keira's AI helper, who progressively demonstrates sentience, adding to the suspense and complexity of the narrative.
But the book is not without its problems. There are moments when the pacing drags, particularly in the middle when the narrative slows down due to technical explanations and moral arguments. Furthermore, a few of the supporting characters are flat and function more as story devices than as fully realized people.
In spite of these small issues, Moral Code is still a thought-provoking and compelling book to read. The Melbournes deftly strike a balance between narrative accessibility and technical information to make difficult subjects comprehensible without overwhelming the reader. In the modern world, the novel's examination of technology as a weapon for potential exploitation as well as a force for good is especially pertinent.
September 17, 2022
3.5
“Educated, informed, confident adults don’t feel the need to bully and abuse our youngest citizens. They learn collaboration and peaceful resolutions. They’re free to innovate, created and explore. They’re inspired to build a better tomorrow.”
Moral Code is a fascinating sci-fi novel that
dives into the ethical considerations regarding technological research and advancements.
Some things I loved:
📚 Most of the human characters have the best of intentions and are also realistically flawed. This provides a sharp contrast to the AI represented in the book. I really enjoyed the unique take on AI, because we usually see it in a very different light with books of this nature.
📚 Two of the overarching themes in the book center around generational trauma and the importance of quality education for all children. As a teacher, this spoke to me!
—— I should take this time to give a trigger warning, as child abuse and trafficking are also a huge part of this book. It is not glorified in any way and is a catalyst for many of the developments made; as such, it’s repeatedly a part of the plot, so keep this in mind if you pick up this book! ——
📚 I loved the last 30% or so of the book. The way it wrapped up made it worth it to me to have read!
Things I wished:
📚 There is a lot of dialogue and exposition, and I felt at times that ideas were over explained or discussed at too long a length. There were parts that felt very “tell” instead of “show.”
📚 Much of the dialogue felt a bit stilted, rather than feeling like a natural conversation. I understood this from the AI’s perspective, but the human characters felt like this as well. I didn’t feel like they each had a distinct voice of their own.
📚 The pacing felt inconsistent. I was immediately sucked in, but after the first few chapters it felt like the next hundred odd pages were very slow. Again, I loved the last 30% or so of the book, but there were definitely parts that dragged.
Overall I’m glad I read the book! I don’t know that I’d read it again, but I think I’ll be thinking about the ethical conundrums laid out for some time.
“Educated, informed, confident adults don’t feel the need to bully and abuse our youngest citizens. They learn collaboration and peaceful resolutions. They’re free to innovate, created and explore. They’re inspired to build a better tomorrow.”
Moral Code is a fascinating sci-fi novel that
dives into the ethical considerations regarding technological research and advancements.
Some things I loved:
📚 Most of the human characters have the best of intentions and are also realistically flawed. This provides a sharp contrast to the AI represented in the book. I really enjoyed the unique take on AI, because we usually see it in a very different light with books of this nature.
📚 Two of the overarching themes in the book center around generational trauma and the importance of quality education for all children. As a teacher, this spoke to me!
—— I should take this time to give a trigger warning, as child abuse and trafficking are also a huge part of this book. It is not glorified in any way and is a catalyst for many of the developments made; as such, it’s repeatedly a part of the plot, so keep this in mind if you pick up this book! ——
📚 I loved the last 30% or so of the book. The way it wrapped up made it worth it to me to have read!
Things I wished:
📚 There is a lot of dialogue and exposition, and I felt at times that ideas were over explained or discussed at too long a length. There were parts that felt very “tell” instead of “show.”
📚 Much of the dialogue felt a bit stilted, rather than feeling like a natural conversation. I understood this from the AI’s perspective, but the human characters felt like this as well. I didn’t feel like they each had a distinct voice of their own.
📚 The pacing felt inconsistent. I was immediately sucked in, but after the first few chapters it felt like the next hundred odd pages were very slow. Again, I loved the last 30% or so of the book, but there were definitely parts that dragged.
Overall I’m glad I read the book! I don’t know that I’d read it again, but I think I’ll be thinking about the ethical conundrums laid out for some time.
November 5, 2024
This book is an incredible read. The blurb is in no way misleading, but what I got from the book isn't what I expected from the blurb. But, I think anyone who has ever used AI can probably say that you don't necessarily get what you expect most of the time.
I really enjoyed the characters in the book, especially our headstrong, ambitious lady scientists. I was really excited to see so many female programmers leading the game in this book. Girls need more role models in STEM fields, even if they're fictional. Sometimes, you have to start with sci-fi to work your way into the real-world versions of things like that. But the acceptance of them like it was nothing weird was wonderful. And all of the characters, and there was a pretty extensive list - something I find common in both sci-fi and fantasy books - were individuals. That can be a big issue for writers, so I'm happy to say this author did a great job at that.
The twists and turns in the plot and the really spectacular surprise ending really earned it a spot nearly as a thriller in my mind! And, really, the action during parts of it was quite thriller-level, weaving in some FBI and rescue work alongside the technical explanations. The only real issue I had was that, at times, the technical explanations did bog the story down just a little. Sometimes, we definitely could have used a little less explanation of this futuristic, non-existent technology. Unless they were describing real advancements that already exist, it's not helpful to me to hear a lot of technical information, and my eyes start to glaze over a little.
Who's It For?
This book is full of high-octane science fiction and crime action. It deals with a ton of moral and ethical dilemmas and is not just a jaunty, fun sci-fi read. It deals with some really meaty topics and, as such, has many content warnings.
Content Warnings: Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking, Child Abuse, Child Harm, Domestic Abuse, Drug Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Vigilante Justice, Crime, Suicidal Ideation/Attempt, and More. This is not guaranteed to be a full account of all topics that may be triggering to all individuals.
I really enjoyed the characters in the book, especially our headstrong, ambitious lady scientists. I was really excited to see so many female programmers leading the game in this book. Girls need more role models in STEM fields, even if they're fictional. Sometimes, you have to start with sci-fi to work your way into the real-world versions of things like that. But the acceptance of them like it was nothing weird was wonderful. And all of the characters, and there was a pretty extensive list - something I find common in both sci-fi and fantasy books - were individuals. That can be a big issue for writers, so I'm happy to say this author did a great job at that.
The twists and turns in the plot and the really spectacular surprise ending really earned it a spot nearly as a thriller in my mind! And, really, the action during parts of it was quite thriller-level, weaving in some FBI and rescue work alongside the technical explanations. The only real issue I had was that, at times, the technical explanations did bog the story down just a little. Sometimes, we definitely could have used a little less explanation of this futuristic, non-existent technology. Unless they were describing real advancements that already exist, it's not helpful to me to hear a lot of technical information, and my eyes start to glaze over a little.
Who's It For?
This book is full of high-octane science fiction and crime action. It deals with a ton of moral and ethical dilemmas and is not just a jaunty, fun sci-fi read. It deals with some really meaty topics and, as such, has many content warnings.
Content Warnings: Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking, Child Abuse, Child Harm, Domestic Abuse, Drug Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Vigilante Justice, Crime, Suicidal Ideation/Attempt, and More. This is not guaranteed to be a full account of all topics that may be triggering to all individuals.
September 3, 2022
This was a very different view on AI, corporal espionage, and at some point it was like a vigilante book, let me start by the very beginning, I did like the characters, Keira the main character was likeable and really gave me mother vibes, she was the responsible for the MoralOS a computer program that is on the center of the story, and that is, what would make AI make moral choices and teach the right thing to do in each situation… her AI assistant named Elly, has this code since she was made, at one point in the book she starts to question the moral choices from Keira part and that was for me when she went from baby AI to a more sentient being, she gave me raised by wolves kind of a vibe.
Keira in the start of the book she was on Honduras testing her teaching aid AI when an earthquake takes place and she gets stuck with several of the kids, and later she is saved by a new technology named dust, that can aid people that are trapped in places where human hand cannot reach easily, but this technology could become much better and much bigger with the help of the MoralOS and that is what gives body to the story, Ron the owner of the dust technology is a man that don’t trust easily because he suffered of corporal espionage before and lost a great deal in the past… hmm its easy to like most of the characters of this book and hate with passion a couple of them as well, yeah Michael and deacon I am talking about you…
Its also a book that will run fast, things happen and evolve and makes you think about what are the correct choices and what do they could change and maybe if dust was real it could really save many lives…
But without any doubt this is a book that I will recommend to people who are looking for books with AI in their core, and the AI will fight for justice and to help the ones that cant help themselves, yes just read on and you will understand what I mean hahah.
Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
Keira in the start of the book she was on Honduras testing her teaching aid AI when an earthquake takes place and she gets stuck with several of the kids, and later she is saved by a new technology named dust, that can aid people that are trapped in places where human hand cannot reach easily, but this technology could become much better and much bigger with the help of the MoralOS and that is what gives body to the story, Ron the owner of the dust technology is a man that don’t trust easily because he suffered of corporal espionage before and lost a great deal in the past… hmm its easy to like most of the characters of this book and hate with passion a couple of them as well, yeah Michael and deacon I am talking about you…
Its also a book that will run fast, things happen and evolve and makes you think about what are the correct choices and what do they could change and maybe if dust was real it could really save many lives…
But without any doubt this is a book that I will recommend to people who are looking for books with AI in their core, and the AI will fight for justice and to help the ones that cant help themselves, yes just read on and you will understand what I mean hahah.
Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
September 30, 2022
This was a very different view on AI, corporal espionage, and at some point it was like a vigilante book, let me start by the very beginning, I did like the characters, Keira the main character was likeable and really gave me mother vibes, she was the responsible for the MoralOS a computer program that is on the center of the story, and that is, what would make AI make moral choices and teach the right thing to do in each situation… her AI assistant named Elly, has this code since she was made, at one point in the book she starts to question the moral choices from Keira part and that was for me when she went from baby AI to a more sentient being, she gave me raised by wolves kind of a vibe.
Keira in the start of the book she was on Honduras testing her teaching aid AI when an earthquake takes place and she gets stuck with several of the kids, and later she is saved by a new technology named dust, that can aid people that are trapped in places where human hand cannot reach easily, but this technology could become much better and much bigger with the help of the MoralOS and that is what gives body to the story, Ron the owner of the dust technology is a man that don’t trust easily because he suffered of corporal espionage before and lost a great deal in the past… hmm its easy to like most of the characters of this book and hate with passion a couple of them as well, yeah Michael and deacon I am talking about you…
Its also a book that will run fast, things happen and evolve and makes you think about what are the correct choices and what do they could change and maybe if dust was real it could really save many lives…
But without any doubt this is a book that I will recommend to people who are looking for books with AI in their core, and the AI will fight for justice and to help the ones that cant help themselves, yes just read on and you will understand what I mean hahah.
Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
Keira in the start of the book she was on Honduras testing her teaching aid AI when an earthquake takes place and she gets stuck with several of the kids, and later she is saved by a new technology named dust, that can aid people that are trapped in places where human hand cannot reach easily, but this technology could become much better and much bigger with the help of the MoralOS and that is what gives body to the story, Ron the owner of the dust technology is a man that don’t trust easily because he suffered of corporal espionage before and lost a great deal in the past… hmm its easy to like most of the characters of this book and hate with passion a couple of them as well, yeah Michael and deacon I am talking about you…
Its also a book that will run fast, things happen and evolve and makes you think about what are the correct choices and what do they could change and maybe if dust was real it could really save many lives…
But without any doubt this is a book that I will recommend to people who are looking for books with AI in their core, and the AI will fight for justice and to help the ones that cant help themselves, yes just read on and you will understand what I mean hahah.
Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
February 1, 2023
I'm not quite sure how I want to rate this? Overall, I think I'm about at a 3.5.
The slow pace and low intensity of the writing almost lost me, it just wasn't enough to really keep me fully engaged 100%. 2 stars on that count.
The characters were interesting and there was lots of intellectual debate which was fun to engage in throughout, but most of the time it didn't feel as intense as I think it could have. There were high stress moments, but they didn't draw me in somehow?! 3 stars on that count
The science fiction side was fun, it was all explained well, I followed it all and was intrigued as the AI and the nanobyte tech evolved throughout the story. It was also near future tech, not suspend reality science fiction, but, yeah this could be happening right now in a lab somewhere level science fiction, which was cool. 4.5 stars on that point.
The philosophy and ethics discussed throughout was intriguing and done in an intellectual respectful way by all of the main characters, which was so great to see healthy and productive debate being modeled in fiction. 5 stars on that point.
But when I was expecting something a bit more edge of my seat, the moral debate and technological advances to better society just weren't enough to really keep me hooked. 3 stars on that count
Which led me to feeling about 3.5 overall, but I'll round to 4 since I can't do half stars in this system because I think it is so valuable to have a science fiction that shows us how technological advances when paired with ethics can do so much good for future generations. It feels like 90% of science fiction are doomsday projections, which are also useful and usual are more edge of your seat experiences... but they don't have the heart of truth and beauty and vision for our future that this does. I'm glad it's out there and I'll encourage youth and adults alike to read it.
The slow pace and low intensity of the writing almost lost me, it just wasn't enough to really keep me fully engaged 100%. 2 stars on that count.
The characters were interesting and there was lots of intellectual debate which was fun to engage in throughout, but most of the time it didn't feel as intense as I think it could have. There were high stress moments, but they didn't draw me in somehow?! 3 stars on that count
The science fiction side was fun, it was all explained well, I followed it all and was intrigued as the AI and the nanobyte tech evolved throughout the story. It was also near future tech, not suspend reality science fiction, but, yeah this could be happening right now in a lab somewhere level science fiction, which was cool. 4.5 stars on that point.
The philosophy and ethics discussed throughout was intriguing and done in an intellectual respectful way by all of the main characters, which was so great to see healthy and productive debate being modeled in fiction. 5 stars on that point.
But when I was expecting something a bit more edge of my seat, the moral debate and technological advances to better society just weren't enough to really keep me hooked. 3 stars on that count
Which led me to feeling about 3.5 overall, but I'll round to 4 since I can't do half stars in this system because I think it is so valuable to have a science fiction that shows us how technological advances when paired with ethics can do so much good for future generations. It feels like 90% of science fiction are doomsday projections, which are also useful and usual are more edge of your seat experiences... but they don't have the heart of truth and beauty and vision for our future that this does. I'm glad it's out there and I'll encourage youth and adults alike to read it.
August 23, 2024
With all the buzz around AI and how it could influence our lives in the future, a novel like Moral Code is a much necessary Black Mirror-esque analysis of how thin the fine line between ethical AI is. And yet, the book’s portrayal of AI is understandable to anyone living in the present era - Keira’s interaction moderating Elly’s responses for her MoralOS will remind anyone who’s worked with AI how silly the interaction with them can be.
Its also important to add that seeing a strong female lead in a STEM field as the main protagonist of a sci-fi novel is a refreshing take on a genre usually dominated by male protagonists. Despite being in the future, it’s clear by Keira’s narration that the world hasn’t advanced that much socially, or at least in the realm of gender norms and expectations.
It was also heartwarming to read about a female lead with such strong maternal instincts toward the children around her despite her explicitly stating that she wasn’t biologically suitable to pregnancy. The novelty element plus the trending main theme of the novel make it really engaging to watch, plus it was easy to sympathize with Keira from the get go.
Keira’s interactions with Roy, as they merge their companies and as she slowly discovers his dirty laundry are the crux of the story, driving it forward
The book is narrated in third person point of view, but it almost feels like a deep POV due to how the sensory descriptors and inner monologues are narrated. It’s very enjoyable to read Keira’s thought processes when making decisions regarding what’s going on around her. The comedic elements are also great, especially those surrounding the interactions with Elly.
I enjoyed Moral Code more than I thought I would before reading it.
Its also important to add that seeing a strong female lead in a STEM field as the main protagonist of a sci-fi novel is a refreshing take on a genre usually dominated by male protagonists. Despite being in the future, it’s clear by Keira’s narration that the world hasn’t advanced that much socially, or at least in the realm of gender norms and expectations.
It was also heartwarming to read about a female lead with such strong maternal instincts toward the children around her despite her explicitly stating that she wasn’t biologically suitable to pregnancy. The novelty element plus the trending main theme of the novel make it really engaging to watch, plus it was easy to sympathize with Keira from the get go.
Keira’s interactions with Roy, as they merge their companies and as she slowly discovers his dirty laundry are the crux of the story, driving it forward
The book is narrated in third person point of view, but it almost feels like a deep POV due to how the sensory descriptors and inner monologues are narrated. It’s very enjoyable to read Keira’s thought processes when making decisions regarding what’s going on around her. The comedic elements are also great, especially those surrounding the interactions with Elly.
I enjoyed Moral Code more than I thought I would before reading it.
October 7, 2024
"Rules be damned. Being ethical using your morals, these are all about
doing the right thing? When has protecting a child ever not been the right thing. If preventing a child for being hurt is not the most ethical thing to do, then, fuck ethics! "
How sure are you that your desire to help every child in need, will not blind you with other Morals? This book is heartbreaking and it's so much deeper than what I expected. As a mom, there are some parts that were hard for me to listen to. I think this is a very good book to read and challenge your ethics and morals.
It was establish from the very beginning about what this book is about but I have to admit that it felt like things are going too slow for my liking although it started getting interesting again towards the middle. I am not a science-tech person but the way things were explained was good enough for me to understand what was going on. I appreciate the story and the characters, especially with strong female ones. It wasn't exciting for me but more like, it's making me feel anxious all the time. The audiobook narration was excellent, so wether you listen to it or read it, I'm sure you'll love this book.
Here's a few questions I asked myself as I listened to it:
1. Given the chance, will you help every single child who needed saving? If so, how would you know who to help first?
2. How far can you go to save a child's life?
3. Are you willing to violate other people's privacy to save a child?
4. How much trust are you supposed to give to an AI?
5. How can you know for sure that the people you trust can really be trusted?
Big thanks to the author and booksforward for providing me ARC in exchange for an honest review.
doing the right thing? When has protecting a child ever not been the right thing. If preventing a child for being hurt is not the most ethical thing to do, then, fuck ethics! "
How sure are you that your desire to help every child in need, will not blind you with other Morals? This book is heartbreaking and it's so much deeper than what I expected. As a mom, there are some parts that were hard for me to listen to. I think this is a very good book to read and challenge your ethics and morals.
It was establish from the very beginning about what this book is about but I have to admit that it felt like things are going too slow for my liking although it started getting interesting again towards the middle. I am not a science-tech person but the way things were explained was good enough for me to understand what was going on. I appreciate the story and the characters, especially with strong female ones. It wasn't exciting for me but more like, it's making me feel anxious all the time. The audiobook narration was excellent, so wether you listen to it or read it, I'm sure you'll love this book.
Here's a few questions I asked myself as I listened to it:
1. Given the chance, will you help every single child who needed saving? If so, how would you know who to help first?
2. How far can you go to save a child's life?
3. Are you willing to violate other people's privacy to save a child?
4. How much trust are you supposed to give to an AI?
5. How can you know for sure that the people you trust can really be trusted?
Big thanks to the author and booksforward for providing me ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2024
" [...] I think there are places one’s intellect can go, where one’s morality should prevent. [...]"
"Moral Code" is the debut novel by Lois & Ross Melbourne.
It is ideal for all fans of Sci-fi books, AI artificial intelligence and nanobots.
This book causes the reader to have a lot of questions in their head. It forces them to reflect deeply on life.
Together with the characters, we explore the morality of artificial intelligence, as well as the whole world. Does artificial intelligence have emotions? Do we need AI in today's world? Here, I met Dr. Keira Stetson and her AI assistant Elly, among others. Will they work well together? I am glad that the authors focused on a strong female personality.
Elly's AI is developing quite well. I liked her analytical mind, if we can talk about the mind of artificial intelligence. The topics discussed here include human trafficking, preventing violence against children, and betrayal. Can the world be free from violence against young children and teenagers?
The beginning of "Moral Code" was very interesting. The middle was boring in places. The ending was exciting.
I think "Moral Code" is a good novel. If you like literary debuts, you can safely reach for it. Who knows, maybe this story will change the world for the better.
Remember, there is no permission for human trafficking, violence against children, and their exploitation. Anyone who breaks the law - no matter what state function they hold - should be severely punished.
The novel "Moral Code" is worth reading.
I will gladly read more novels by Lois & Ross Melbourne.
Many thanks to author Lois & Ross Melbourne, Love Books Tours, and all Read Along participants for reading this novel together for a month.
"Moral Code" is the debut novel by Lois & Ross Melbourne.
It is ideal for all fans of Sci-fi books, AI artificial intelligence and nanobots.
This book causes the reader to have a lot of questions in their head. It forces them to reflect deeply on life.
Together with the characters, we explore the morality of artificial intelligence, as well as the whole world. Does artificial intelligence have emotions? Do we need AI in today's world? Here, I met Dr. Keira Stetson and her AI assistant Elly, among others. Will they work well together? I am glad that the authors focused on a strong female personality.
Elly's AI is developing quite well. I liked her analytical mind, if we can talk about the mind of artificial intelligence. The topics discussed here include human trafficking, preventing violence against children, and betrayal. Can the world be free from violence against young children and teenagers?
The beginning of "Moral Code" was very interesting. The middle was boring in places. The ending was exciting.
I think "Moral Code" is a good novel. If you like literary debuts, you can safely reach for it. Who knows, maybe this story will change the world for the better.
Remember, there is no permission for human trafficking, violence against children, and their exploitation. Anyone who breaks the law - no matter what state function they hold - should be severely punished.
The novel "Moral Code" is worth reading.
I will gladly read more novels by Lois & Ross Melbourne.
Many thanks to author Lois & Ross Melbourne, Love Books Tours, and all Read Along participants for reading this novel together for a month.
October 7, 2024
I received a copy of the book from Voracious Readers Only. It is in the science fiction genre and I found the book to be unique and refreshing. Keira, an AI specialist, has developed doll-sized robots that she uses to help teach children. She also has an AI "companion" named Elly who doesn't have a physical form. Elly is built upon a Moral Operating System and has used a variety of people to provide her with definitions of good and bad decisions. A serious earthquake occurs when Keira is in the Honduras providing educational assistance to young children. The building the school is in collapses on them and traps them under the rubble. Enter Roy Brandt, the owner of Opal Technology and his swarm of nanites which he has named the Dust. The nanites have been designed to assist in search and rescue operations. The Dust locates Keira and the students within the debris of the school. The Dust have multiple functions that include: finding live victims, monitoring their status and assisting rescuers to determine the safest route to reach the victims. Roy and a close circle of his co-workers are the only people that know about Dust. He is pleased to meet Keira because he wants to ensure that his Dust function in a moral manner. They end up working together and the situation evolves from there. I would have given the book a 5* rating but I personally disagreed with how Elly evolved in the book. I understand the actions but they are in a very grey area and brought to mind The Minority Report. Regardless, it is a great read and I firmly believe that AI must be developed to adhere to the moral guidelines of society.
February 16, 2023
‘Putting kids before profits, egos, and power’ - Excellent new sci-fi novel!
Texas co-authors and husband/wife team Lois and Ross Melbourne co-founded a software company (workforce analytics and talent management) and now blend a gift for storytelling with high technology themes in their impressive debut novel MORAL CODE. Very successfully the authors explore STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) with possible prognostic possibilities and in using a vivid dramatic flair for reality depictions, their story soars - as the opening lines suggest: ‘Keira sensed a physical twitch, like a whole-body sneeze that didn’t engage her sinuses. She pushed her paranoia of earthquakes aside to concentrate on her young focus group. The six five-year-olds continued chattering unfazed. They competed in both English and Spanish for the attention of her doll-sized robots, asking one question after another. Giggles and applause bubbled through the classroom…’ And as a note about the content adds, ‘Dr. Keira Stetson has two passions: ethical artificial intelligence—AI with a conscience—and creating technology that improves children’s lives.’
Add Roy Brandt and his nanities (nanorobots or microscopic mechanisms that can be injected into living organisms to control them) and the corporate and military interferences and this very well-scribed novel gains significance - and fascination. This book will satisfy both AI/high tech aficionados and sci-fi enthusiasts, as well as those who simply enjoy great writing. Very highly recommended
Texas co-authors and husband/wife team Lois and Ross Melbourne co-founded a software company (workforce analytics and talent management) and now blend a gift for storytelling with high technology themes in their impressive debut novel MORAL CODE. Very successfully the authors explore STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) with possible prognostic possibilities and in using a vivid dramatic flair for reality depictions, their story soars - as the opening lines suggest: ‘Keira sensed a physical twitch, like a whole-body sneeze that didn’t engage her sinuses. She pushed her paranoia of earthquakes aside to concentrate on her young focus group. The six five-year-olds continued chattering unfazed. They competed in both English and Spanish for the attention of her doll-sized robots, asking one question after another. Giggles and applause bubbled through the classroom…’ And as a note about the content adds, ‘Dr. Keira Stetson has two passions: ethical artificial intelligence—AI with a conscience—and creating technology that improves children’s lives.’
Add Roy Brandt and his nanities (nanorobots or microscopic mechanisms that can be injected into living organisms to control them) and the corporate and military interferences and this very well-scribed novel gains significance - and fascination. This book will satisfy both AI/high tech aficionados and sci-fi enthusiasts, as well as those who simply enjoy great writing. Very highly recommended
August 28, 2024
Moral Code is a book that has a lot of potential and tackles some very important and tropical topics. As the name suggests, the book is about the ethical and moral implications of AI and its uses and our relationship with AI, something we are grappling with in real-time.
It starts with a woman who has built an ethical AI named Elly who is capable of feeling and responding like a human, and Dr. Keira is adamant on using it to save children who face the risk of abuse. This is not only realistic, but raises the stakes in the novel. However, I did end up feeling like it was just a series of events one after the other, and there was very little plot to the book. The blurb made it feel like a high stakes, race against time kind of a thriller, but instead it felt more like a drama. In that sense, it is very much character-driven rather than plot-focused.
I also felt that the book was inaccessible to me at time, particularly when the character started talking about sciency and tech stuff, and because of that I had to go back and read some things multiple times. It would have been great if these concepts could have been broken down for the reader.
I am not sure how I feel about the ending. I am a sucker for happy endings, and in a sense it is one, but I also felt there was scope for more exploration. All in all, it was a book that was interesting, but also left me wanting.
It starts with a woman who has built an ethical AI named Elly who is capable of feeling and responding like a human, and Dr. Keira is adamant on using it to save children who face the risk of abuse. This is not only realistic, but raises the stakes in the novel. However, I did end up feeling like it was just a series of events one after the other, and there was very little plot to the book. The blurb made it feel like a high stakes, race against time kind of a thriller, but instead it felt more like a drama. In that sense, it is very much character-driven rather than plot-focused.
I also felt that the book was inaccessible to me at time, particularly when the character started talking about sciency and tech stuff, and because of that I had to go back and read some things multiple times. It would have been great if these concepts could have been broken down for the reader.
I am not sure how I feel about the ending. I am a sucker for happy endings, and in a sense it is one, but I also felt there was scope for more exploration. All in all, it was a book that was interesting, but also left me wanting.
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