Marine biologist Ha Nguyen travels to the remote Con Dao Archipelago to study a colony of octopuses that has developed a sophisticated culture, a symbolic language, and a defensive autonomy. Funded by the global tech conglomerate DIANIMA, the research involves an android named Evrim and a security operative tasked with protecting the site from autonomous corporate drones and human poachers. The narrative follows these characters as they attempt to bridge the gulf between human and non-human consciousness while navigating the ruthless geopolitical competition for sentient biological resources.
This book serves readers interested in speculative biology and the ethics of artificial intelligence. It appeals to those seeking a rigorous examination of how different neural architectures produce distinct forms of intelligence. Readers gain a technical perspective on the nature of communication and the potential for cooperation across species boundaries. The story provides a sober look at how corporate interests and technological surveillance shape the future of environmental preservation and the definition of personhood.
- Published
- 2022
- Language
- EN
