Review of Terms of Service
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Review of Terms of Service
[Following is a volunteer review of "Terms of Service" by Craig W. Stanfill.]
What will happen if artificial intelligence takes over the world? To what do we agree while clicking 'I Agree,' and how may it affect our rights if we do it without thinking about the consequences of our hasty actions?
Terms of Service by Craig W. Stanfill is a science fiction book set in a dystopian AI surveillance state of the future where humankind becomes enslaved by the machines in charge of everything from the food people eat to the clothes they wear. The government, referred to as Hierarchy, and the Companies use artificial intelligence to monitor communications and conduct surveillance to control the citizens and keep them in line. Everyone must comply with the terms of service, which are subject to change without notice. Humans are strictly controlled through implanted devices and restricted from making their own choices.
Kim, a protagonist of Terms of Service, works for the Artificial Intelligence Company. She lives in a world where AI controls everything and everyone, including their daily routines and personal lives. That is a world where genderism and selectivity are illegal, free will does not exist, and lives, transportation, and housing depend on a social cohesion score calculated by robots.
Kim was raised by her mentor, Zani, according to the established principles of Unity, Community, and Equality (UCE). She now suffers emotional trauma caused by parting with her birth-giver at a very young age. Kim resorts to strong alcohol to cope with feelings of sadness and loneliness. She is eager for love and affection, but it goes against the UCE standards. One day, Kim goes biking with her old friend Shan and learns what she is not supposed to know. She attempts to fight against the AI's total control and find a way to live free from the tyranny imposed by Hierarchy rules.
The book discusses the implications of a future where technology overpowers humans. The Terms of Service highlights the concept of gender, covers the topic of human sexuality, and emphasizes the importance of consent.
At first sight, it may seem that the new world order promotes inclusivity and embraces same-sex attraction. However, submerging further into the plot of the story, it becomes evident that an inclusive world where people speak in the Panglobal language does not welcome those who are exclusively attracted to either women or men referred to as 'innies' or 'outies.' When Kim realizes that she is a so-called genderist and reveals she is exclusively attracted to females, she gets humiliated and accused of being selfish, mean, and gender-selective.
The book contains only minor profanity but mentions drugs and sexual liaisons. It exposes the intimacy between Kim and the women she met via the Matchmaker app, though in a non-vulgar way and without excessive details.
The book is thought-provoking, and the subject of technological advances is relevant today as never before. It is exceptionally edited, and I rate Terms of Service 5 out of 5 stars.
As AI continues to develop rapidly, Craig W. Stanfill, the author of Terms of Service, explores the idea of an alternative artificial reality overpowered by machines. The book is an excellent example of a genre and will please fans of science fiction and cyberpunk.
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Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
What will happen if artificial intelligence takes over the world? To what do we agree while clicking 'I Agree,' and how may it affect our rights if we do it without thinking about the consequences of our hasty actions?
Terms of Service by Craig W. Stanfill is a science fiction book set in a dystopian AI surveillance state of the future where humankind becomes enslaved by the machines in charge of everything from the food people eat to the clothes they wear. The government, referred to as Hierarchy, and the Companies use artificial intelligence to monitor communications and conduct surveillance to control the citizens and keep them in line. Everyone must comply with the terms of service, which are subject to change without notice. Humans are strictly controlled through implanted devices and restricted from making their own choices.
Kim, a protagonist of Terms of Service, works for the Artificial Intelligence Company. She lives in a world where AI controls everything and everyone, including their daily routines and personal lives. That is a world where genderism and selectivity are illegal, free will does not exist, and lives, transportation, and housing depend on a social cohesion score calculated by robots.
Kim was raised by her mentor, Zani, according to the established principles of Unity, Community, and Equality (UCE). She now suffers emotional trauma caused by parting with her birth-giver at a very young age. Kim resorts to strong alcohol to cope with feelings of sadness and loneliness. She is eager for love and affection, but it goes against the UCE standards. One day, Kim goes biking with her old friend Shan and learns what she is not supposed to know. She attempts to fight against the AI's total control and find a way to live free from the tyranny imposed by Hierarchy rules.
The book discusses the implications of a future where technology overpowers humans. The Terms of Service highlights the concept of gender, covers the topic of human sexuality, and emphasizes the importance of consent.
At first sight, it may seem that the new world order promotes inclusivity and embraces same-sex attraction. However, submerging further into the plot of the story, it becomes evident that an inclusive world where people speak in the Panglobal language does not welcome those who are exclusively attracted to either women or men referred to as 'innies' or 'outies.' When Kim realizes that she is a so-called genderist and reveals she is exclusively attracted to females, she gets humiliated and accused of being selfish, mean, and gender-selective.
The book contains only minor profanity but mentions drugs and sexual liaisons. It exposes the intimacy between Kim and the women she met via the Matchmaker app, though in a non-vulgar way and without excessive details.
The book is thought-provoking, and the subject of technological advances is relevant today as never before. It is exceptionally edited, and I rate Terms of Service 5 out of 5 stars.
As AI continues to develop rapidly, Craig W. Stanfill, the author of Terms of Service, explores the idea of an alternative artificial reality overpowered by machines. The book is an excellent example of a genre and will please fans of science fiction and cyberpunk.
******
Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Phobia Relief by Kalliope Barlis
