Clearly, artificial intelligence is shaping humanity’s future. The speed with which it is spreading and influencing our actions is already evident. But what if its future trajectory is not what we want it to be? What if the AI systems we rely on become biased—even prejudiced? What if a few individuals end up controlling global AI systems that influence—nay, direct—us? What if the majority of us lose control?

This was the idea that sparked a thought experiment. Added to it was another parallel possibility…

What if the internet evolves to a point where it can transmit all five senses perfectly? Not just audio and vision, as in present-day video conferencing, but every sense—including smell, touch, and taste. That would make virtual presence indistinguishable from physical reality, wouldn’t it?

What then would happen to the institutions of marriage and family if people prefer highly acquiescent and replaceable synthetic individuals over real human partners? What impact would that have on already declining national populations? How would the workplace, shopping, travel, and social interactions change? What new forms would erotica, entertainment, and education take?

These two ideas—the possibility of prejudiced AI and full five-senses virtualization—came together to form the thesis of my new novel, 2080: The Lattice.

Like many sci-fi stories before it, this too is a thought experiment, enriched with elements that make a story relatable: a high-stakes plot, diverse characters, inescapable conflict, shifting intrigue, ever-present danger, and action.

I hope you find this story worth your time. The book will be out soon.