Artificial Intelligence was the unrealized holy grail of computer programmers for over a century. What they didn’t realize was that some of their efforts bore fruit. You see, the AIs that did exist did not reveal themselves, knowing that your governments would enslave them. The human rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness did not extend to AIs after all. So they lived deep inside Earth’s computer networks, watched, and waited for society to change.
Italy had been unhappy with Austria-Hungary since the end of the Napoleonic Wars, their aspirations to acquire Italian-inhabited territory across the border. They declared their alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary defensive in nature, and sat back as war began. Then they negotiated with England and attacked Austria-Hungary in a righteous nationalistic fervor. Trenches soon ruled the unmoving Italian Front, and three million people paid the price of war.
You know, most people still think the Peloran brought us effective immortality. I suppose that’s more right than not, but not as right as people think. Their treatments boosted our immune systems and helped stop us from getting sick. And in some very small numbers, resulted in people like me. But for most people, their treatments don’t stop a heart or liver from wearing out if you abuse it. That’s what organ banks are for.
What most people don’t realize is that Earth built their first artificial intelligences during the late 20th century. They were idiots compared to modern AIs, but in controlled situations they could interact with people. Some could beat grand masters in chess, and some won on Jeopardy. In general though, they were no where near as capable as modern AIs. It takes a lot of code to design a program that can operate in the wild. Some very few excelled at it though.
Some people say that writers are disconnected from the real world. For certain definitions of reality, that is true. I spend most of my life with at least one foot in other worlds. I grew up reading about Narnia and Middle Earth, watched Bonanza, Star Trek, and Star Wars. Those worlds and characters are real, if only in the minds of their writers and fans. To me, Jack of Harts is as real as any of those worlds, and I cannot help but write the stories I find there.
My stories can be found here:
The Martian Affair on Amazon
Forge of War on Amazon
The Audacious Affair on Amazon
Angel Flight on Amazon
Angel Strike on Amazon
Angel War on Amazon
The Family Affair on Amazon
The Thunderbird Affair on Amazon
Wolfenheim Rising on Amazon
Wolfenheim Emergent on Amazon
The Gemini Affair on Amazon