Prey

Jack Forman, an unemployed software programmer, becomes suspicious of his wife Julia’s secretive behavior at Xymos Technology. When he is hired as a consultant at their remote Nevada laboratory, he discovers that the company has released a swarm of autonomous, solar-powered nanobots into the desert. These microscopic machines utilize distributed intelligence and predatory genetic algorithms to evolve at an exponential rate. Jack and a small team of scientists become trapped in the facility as the cloud develops collective consciousness, learns to mimic human forms, and begins hunting its creators.

This techno-thriller targets readers interested in the intersection of microbiology, artificial intelligence, and emergent behavior. It appeals to those who enjoy hardware-focused science fiction where complex engineering failures lead to disaster. Readers gain a technical understanding of the risks associated with nanotechnology and the unpredictability of self-replicating systems. The book provides a cautionary look at how decentralized programming can bypass human control, leaving the reader with a stark perspective on the dangers of unregulated biological and silicon engineering.

Outward-looking, clear-cut and escapist; an easy read.

Best for readers like The Curious Generalist. Which reader are you?