Infinite Wisdom

Thomas R. Weaver writes stories about tomorrow to help make sense of today. A tech entrepreneur turned author, he holds a degree in Computer Science but never expected to actually use it in his career. After spending years exploring how technology could transform experiences in the places outside of the home and the office, he founded a tech startup in the restaurant hospitality space, which was later acquired by Just Eat Takeaway. Exiting in 2018–2019 left him with no more excuses not to pursue a long-held dream: writing fiction. 
 
Despite vowing he had enough grey hair already and he’d never to run another startup, he continues to build a portfolio of interesting new ideas with his former cofounder, backed by a major Silicon Valley tech accelerator. 
 
Outside of spending time with his family, he loves to cook, draw, paint and lose at online bullet chess. He loves a great movie or TV series, and collects more books than time allows to read.

It is five years since a global vote elected an AI leader, Solomon, to give humanity one last chance of survival in the face of crippling climate change. The world might be in recovery, but humankind is suffering—and rebelling—under Solomon’s governance. The choice was far from unanimous, and resentment is running high. 
 
As acts of sabotage and civil disobedience increase, a disgusted Solomon offers the people of the world a final choice: Upgrade or Unplug. Upgrade means irrevocably merging with artificial intelligence as a way of deleting the destructive nature of the species. Unplug will brick every chip, including Solomon himself, and humanity will begin again in a pre-digital age. 
 
Humanity has eighteen days to decide before civilization tips over into complete anarchy. One vote. No appeal. A simple majority wins. How will humanity vote this time? And how much choice do they really have?

Thomas R. Weaver

Imaginative, impressive debut... Particularly compelling is Weaver’s riveting vision of technology in the near future and its ramifications once humans can no longer discern what is real

A thought-provoking page-turner that is intellectually rich, emotionally charged and hugely timely in its exploration of AI, ethics and climate collapse

Artificial Wisdom zips along, but avoids becoming too rushed or too concerned with end-of-chapter cliffhangers. Superior popular fiction, likely to trouble the bestseller lists, and neatly set up for a sequel

Stunning... As modern as tomorrow and even more frightening. Be afraid - very afraid - of where we are and of what is coming

Terry Hayes, bestselling author of I Am Pilgrim

A richly-imagined, fast-paced exploration of an uncertain future where technology promises to serve as our saviour and rule as our master.  At its heart, however, is an all too human story of a desperate man in search of the truth

Michael Cordy, bestselling author of The Messiah Code

A taut tale with a disturbingly plausible what-if scenario.

The most surprising thriller of the year.. this thriller explores power, AI and survival – and is guaranteed to make you question everything

Ripped from tomorrow's headlines, this will give you the heebie-jeebies... [an] imaginative thriller'

The plot is gripping, Tully and the other main characters are sympathetic, and their dilemmas seem frighteningly relevant today

A thought-provoking read that will keep you up at night

In the near-future, a global leader needs to be found who can rescue humanity. Two candidates are left – one human and the other AI. But then a murder reveals a terrifying conspiracy that could end them all. Thrilling

Packed with twists, this thriller explores power, AI and survival with relentless tension – guaranteed to make you question everything

A MAN ON THE EDGE. 
A WORLD ON THE BRINK. 
A TRUTH THAT COULD DESTROY EVERYTHING. 
 
In 2050, investigative journalist Marcus Tully is still grieving the loss of his wife and unborn child in the deadly heatwave that struck the Persian Gulf ten years ago. 
 
Now, the world is both burning and drowning, and the decision has been taken to elect a global leader to steer humanity through the worsening climate apocalypse. The final two candidates are ex-US president Lockwood, and Solomon, an Artificial Intelligence. 
 
As election day races closer, Tully begins to unravel a conspiracy that goes to the highest level. Then Solomon’s creator is murdered, and Tully is pulled in to find the culprit. 
 
As the two investigations intertwine in ways he could never have imagined and the world hurtles ever closer to the brink, Tully must find the truth, convince the world to face it and make impossible choices to secure the future of the species. 
 
But will humanity ultimately choose salvation over freedom, whatever the cost?

Thomas R. Weaver

Praise for Artificial Wisdom

Imaginative, impressive debut... Particularly compelling is Weaver’s riveting vision of technology in the near future and its ramifications once humans can no longer discern what is real

A thought-provoking page-turner that is intellectually rich, emotionally charged and hugely timely in its exploration of AI, ethics and climate collapse

Artificial Wisdom zips along, but avoids becoming too rushed or too concerned with end-of-chapter cliffhangers. Superior popular fiction, likely to trouble the bestseller lists, and neatly set up for a sequel

Imaginative, impressive debut... Particularly compelling is Weaver’s riveting vision of technology in the near future and its ramifications once humans can no longer discern what is real

A thought-provoking page-turner that is intellectually rich, emotionally charged and hugely timely in its exploration of AI, ethics and climate collapse

Artificial Wisdom zips along, but avoids becoming too rushed or too concerned with end-of-chapter cliffhangers. Superior popular fiction, likely to trouble the bestseller lists, and neatly set up for a sequel

Imaginative, impressive debut... Particularly compelling is Weaver’s riveting vision of technology in the near future and its ramifications once humans can no longer discern what is real

A thought-provoking page-turner that is intellectually rich, emotionally charged and hugely timely in its exploration of AI, ethics and climate collapse

Artificial Wisdom zips along, but avoids becoming too rushed or too concerned with end-of-chapter cliffhangers. Superior popular fiction, likely to trouble the bestseller lists, and neatly set up for a sequel

Books by Thomas R. Weaver

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter