It’s taken longer to write than I had hoped, but at long last, Frank Adversego is riding again. The new title, #6 in the series, is The Argus Affair, a Tale of Duplicity and Diplomacy, As with each of the previous books, there’s a unique technology focus, and this time around that focus is on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, a/k/a LAWS (to their proponents) and Killer Robots (to their detractors). Why the difference in opinion? That lies in the word “autonomous” – as in operating under their own control rather than that of a human being. But since that autonomy derives from artificial intelligence, what could possibly go wrong?
Exactly. With the recent release of ChatGPT, immediately followed by variants from Google (Bard) and Microsoft (Bing), the world is abuzz with fears that such AIs may pose existential threat to humanity, even when they haven’t been given warbots to call home. How likely is that? Hint: the developers of the most advanced programs has asked the government to regulate AI companies before their creations go off the rails.
Of course, this isn’t the first time that the United States (and the rest of the world) have confronted the availability of a new and terrible technology. President Yazzi is all too aware of the choices president Truman made at the end of World War II and the terrifying nuclear arms race that followed. Yazzi confronts the challenge head on, and recruits our hero to support an effort to avert an arms race with the Chinese that could have potentially catastrophic results. But unknown to both, another force to be reckoned with has plans of its own.
Soon, the world’s leading artificial intelligence and robotics experts find themselves in a dire situation that none could have imagined and perhaps no one can control. But then again, you’d expect nothing less.
Faithful Friends of Frank will recognize some old friends from prior books, as well as all the features you’ve come to expect if you’ve been paying attention (what type of pet will figure in the plot this time?) as well as plenty of Easter eggs (Spoiler Alert: what exactly is it about the names of the Cabinet members that sounds so familiar?)
So why wait any longer? The fun is waiting for you at Amazon, Apple, B&N, Google, Kobo, Smashwords, and wherever else eBooks are sold (paperbacks versions can be purchased at Amazon and ordered through your local bookstore). For a limited time, the eBook versions at all sites can be downloaded for free.
If you decide to give my newest book a read, please be a good Friend of Frank and post a review where you downloaded your copy (or at least give it a star rating). And while you’re at it, why don’t you recommend it to your 500 closest friends and colleagues as well. If you do, I’ll thank you – and so will Frank.
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