I love reading books about AI and human interactions. The latest on my TBR exploring this interaction is Moral Code by Lois and Ross Melbourne. Let’s chat with the authors about writing this book together and read an excerpt from the book.
Get to know the authors: Lois and Ross Melbourne
Welcome Lois and Ross Melbourne! Tell me and my readers a bit about yourself!
Together: We are the parents of an incredible young man studying computer science at university. We founded a global software company in the 90’s, Lois as CEO and Ross as Chief Technology Officer. Nineteen years later, we moved on to the next phase of our lives, after selling the company to private equity.
Lois: I love all things books and learning. After selling the business, I told myself I couldn’t start or run another business until I published the children’s books I dreamt about for years. Now “STEM Club Goes Exploring” and “Kids Go To Work Day” play a part of many career days and Take Your Daughter and Sons To Work Day events. Moral Code is my first novel.
I serve on my town’s Library Foundation; support many Get Out The Vote initiatives and get prime people watching while serving as an election poll worker. Mentoring students and young entrepreneurs is also very rewarding for me.
Ross: I am tech guy who loves to build and innovate. I am currently building a start-up company in the robotics space with my brother, who has a background in electronics and hardware development. I like to mentor young tech entrepreneurs and I am cheering on my son in his college career and with his own innovative software projects.
What inspired you to write this book?
Lois: For me the inspiration started when Ross brought up the idea of the power of ethical artificial intelligence to changes the lives of kids. If I could build an AI, I’d want it to be Elly, our character.
Ross: The question ‘what novel would you write?’ always came back to the same answer for me and it was fundamentally the concept behind Moral Code. Lois pitched me on the idea of collaborating on the creation of the story and science for the book and we got to work. After I read the first chapter Lois wrote I know it was going to be great.
How long did it take you to write this book, from the first idea to the last edit?
Lois: Moral Code was a little over four years in the making. I finished the first draft in about eight months. I’d never written a novel before this one. Occasionally, I painted myself into a corner. I dove into learning the craft of writing novels and science fiction. The editing process was very iterative. A few editors gave me impactful direction. A few times the technology I was projecting as futuristic would show up in a Wired Magazine or MIT Tech Review as approaching quicker. That would create serious discussion and more editing.
What makes your story unique? How have your individual experiences shaped the book?
Lois: I’m assuming you’re asking about our personal story. I’m all too familiar with the harm of child abuse. If kids could be protected from such horrors, not only would they live happier, healthier lives, but we’d have fewer grow up to be bullies and abusers themselves. Wouldn’t it be great if we could break that cycle?
On the writer’s side of that question, I’ve spent much of my career creating stories around technology and how they help users. Selling software is all about helping people visualize their jobs with the benefit of the product having solved their problems. I guess I’ve always been a technology translator.
Ross: If we are talking about the story in the book, I think what makes it unique is it posits the idea that technology can fundamentally change the course of humanity very quickly with extraordinarily beneficial results.
What is it like writing a book together? Tell me about your process of working together on the story!
Lois: Running the company together is a straight forward example of how comfortable we are at collaboration. Ross had the initial idea for Moral Code. Both of us brainstormed the concept and the outline. I wove the story and did the writing.
Ross brought the technology concepts and possibilities to the discussion. He taught me so much about the potential and the challenges of nanites and AI. Debate and lots of what-if conversations shaped the tech into the vision of the story. I pursued additional reading to extrapolate ideas and descriptions for the uses of the technology.
Ross: In another time, Lois and I would have been farmers or shop owners. Husband and wife teams seem to be a novelty these days but there was a time when it was a very common arrangement for households. Over 5 years of nights and weekends I wrote the original software for the company we started many years ago. Together we built a company to sell and support the software and it worked so well we never wanted it to end. So, getting to work together on another long project together felt right and has been fun.
What was the most challenging part of writing a book that touches on ethical Artificial intelligence and advanced technology? What areas did you end up researching the most for building the world?
Lois: I had a big learning curve to understand how artificial intelligence training is deployed. There are so many short coming in the data used for training. This lead us to develop an entire consortium needed to crowd-source the definition and training data defined for ethical decision making.
I have entire Outtake chapters that didn’t move the plot forward. However, it they are critical backstory to how Kiera could create a Moral Operating System. This global network of organizations, companies, religions, governments and collations would be needed to shape a definition of ethics. Ultimately that consortium created a certification program based on Keira’s efforts to assure AIs are tethered to ethical decision making.
Ross: I tried hard to think of how current day tech might evolve and what it would become. When I would think ‘wouldn’t it be cool if the nanites could do this’ I would then have to pretend to design the technology which would make it all work. It was challenging but great fun. Some ideas never made it into the book but I love what did make it into the story.
Who would enjoy reading your book?
Lois: I think it’s a great book for book clubs to read and discuss ways we could help all our kids; or the impact of technology on our societies. You don’t have to be a techie to understand or enjoy Moral Code. It also has some really cool women in STEM.
Ross: I think people who are interested or even concerned about the rise of AI in our lives or perhaps Star Trek fans who love the idea of a utopian future.
What’s something you hope readers would take away from it?
Lois: I hope readers consider the impact childhood environments have on the formation of adults. I also hope they contemplate what do they care about enough to take huge risks to make things better.
Ross: I hope readers get excited about the ways in which AI can eventually help children everywhere reach their potential.
Do you have a favourite quote or scene in the book that you find yourself going back to?
Lois: Keira’s headspace is well defined in this quote: “Morality is difficult to define and to enforce; but we’re compelled to try. Perhaps the only universally applicable imperative we should pursue is caring for kids and protecting them.”
Ross: There is one scene which is very dramatic where real friendship with an AI is explored.
If you could give a shout out to someone(s) who has helped in your writer journey, please feel free to mention them below!
Lois: My Renegade Book Club members have been fantastic cheerleaders. My YPO buddies and especially my forum have encourage me and pushed me when I doubted myself. Writer’s Digest, Writer’s Workshops and Red Sneaker Writers courses and podcasts have helped me with craft and industry information. Ross gets the most credit for my writer’s journey. His faith in me and his calm approach when I’m losing my shit, is always impressive.
Ross: The original business Lois and I built was in the field of human talent management. I felt I understood how well people can learn new skills and experience personal growth. However I was blown away and still am at Lois’ ability to transform herself from a concise expert business communicator to such a wonderful writer and novelist. Lois, take a bow!
Moral Code
Genre: Science Fiction
Publication Year: 2022
Dr. Keira Stetson has two passions: ethical artificial intelligence—AI with a conscience—and creating technology that improves children’s lives. Trapped in an earthquake-flattened building with a half-dozen panicked five-year-olds, she fears the worst. When billionaire Roy Brandt leverages his mysterious nanite technology to rescue them, she’s both grateful and intrigued.
Impressed by his prototype technology but alarmed at its potential for exploitation, Keira merges her company with Brandt’s. The merger gives Keira access to much-needed funds for the development of her own tech, and access to Brandt’s powerful minuscule robots. In turn, she and her AI assistant, Elly, embed Keira’s trademark Moral Operating System in Brandt’s nanite SmartDust to rein in its power.
But Brandt’s technology has been kept secret for a reason. Though he’s adamant about using the Dust to improve life, not destroy it, corporate raiders and the military have other ideas. They want to weaponize Brandt’s nanites. Suddenly, everything Keira has worked for is in jeopardy. Exposed to the worst humanity has to offer, she and Elly must fight to use this newfound tech for good and keep it out of the wrong hands…before it’s too late.
Content notes: None declared by the authors.
Book Excerpt from
Moral Code
Context: After Keira is rescued from an earthquake crushed building, she’s offered a private jet ride home, by the extremely secretive billionaire responsible for the nanite technology used in the search and rescue.
Never Enough
The dark, smooth tarmac was the easiest surface Roy, Cody, and Loel had navigated in the last two days. They hurried toward the rectangle of amber light at the top of their jet’s stairs. Sparse lighting slipped out from the airport using minimum power via battery backups. The earthquake’s damage to the power grid had been extensive.
Roy entered his plane, handing a backpack to the flight attendant. The glean of the burled wood and the welcoming, deep leather chairs sat in stark contrast to the dirty and chaotic environment they’d left behind. In the cabin, he nodded acknowledgment to Keira, already sitting at the front table wrapped in a blanket, a ball cap pulled low on her forehead. Edmond had secured clothes and a shower for her. Her hotel had been deemed unsafe to enter. Her eyes were tired but didn’t hold the shell shock he would have expected considering her ordeal. “Welcome, Keira, I’ll be there in just a moment.”
Sticking his head into the cockpit, he addressed the pilots. “Please collect our clearance and take off as soon as you can. Communication services are completely screwed up right now. Sorry, I didn’t give you more warning when we were coming back from the city.”
He recognized the captain but not the first officer. “By the way, we’ll be busy working, possibly sleeping. Don’t worry about announcements. You can turn off the radio between here and the cabin.” The pilots acknowledged his request and his apology, then moved with efficiency to prepare for takeoff.
Loel stashed her computer bag in her storage bin, hidden sleekly in the glossy side panel near Keira. “How are you feeling, Keira?”
“I’m sore in a lot of places, but grateful. Thank you. How are you?”
Ruffling the spikiness of her own hair, Loel chuckled. “Well, I’m glad you got a shower, but you’re flying home with three people in desperate need of a one. My apologies.”
Concerned about Loel’s state of mind after the stress of the rescues and her look of exhaustion, Roy turned to the attendant and requested food and drinks be served immediately. She silently hurried to the galley.
Brushing past Roy, Cody claimed a seat behind the table. Decades younger than he or Loel, he still showed the wear and tear of the mission. “All the equipment is stowed underneath. It’s ready.”
The changing rooms at the executive airport had been dark, with no showers. Accustomed to Loel’s meticulous attention to her appearance, Roy was acutely aware of her uncombed hair and the dark circles under her eyes. Cody’s rumpled look had a grunge band effect. Roy was relieved to be in clean jeans and a T-shirt, and that Keira had been given fresh clothes. Edmond has been true to his word, providing her the best care possible under the city’s circumstances.
Roy looked from Loel to Cody. “The post-event review needs to be done soon. But we’ll wait for most of it until we have Hendrick. And we don’t want to drag Keira through our droning on about our processes.” He wasn’t fooling anyone in the cabin. They wouldn’t have discussed details of the Dust in front of Keira. He would set the pace for what more would be disclosed in front of her.
Loel spun her chair away from Roy to face Cody. “Come on, join us at the table. You’ll want to eat before you sleep.”
Pushing himself from the high-backed leather seat, Cody moved to an identical version next to Loel, across the table from Roy. “These chairs are a lot more comfortable than the ones in that conference room. At least without Hendrick, there is room for our legs under this table. Why did he stay behind?”
Roy accepted a cup of coffee from the attendant. Keira moved the sugar within his reach. “I think he’ll make good connections with a few of the humanitarian groups we can help in the future.”
Cody scratched his scalp.
Loel cringed. “We got out just in time. The press started to roll into that sector of the city in numbers too large to keep your face out of the news. You’re too recognizable, Roy. Next time, we should consider leaving you at home if we’re going to keep the story of the Dust controlled.”
“I can’t stay home if I can save lives by going,” Roy insisted. He didn’t mind this conversation in front of Keira. She needed to know how serious they took the privacy of the Dust’s story.
“Hmmm.” Loel shrugged. “Your choice, of course. But weigh your desire for secrecy versus your fame and wealth drawing media attention. We’ll have to consider news cover stories or better shelter you in the future.”
“I won’t be sidelined, and it’s Hendrick’s job to make sure it all stays a secret.” He also didn’t need Hendrick’s obvious distaste of Keira to fill the cabin the entire way home.
“That’s a huge burden, to put your visibility as his priority,” Loel said. “I think you need to join a board or two of some of the groups Hendrick connects with. We could attach your presence to one of them next time.”
A heavy sigh accompanied Roy’s gaze to the jet’s polished ceiling. “That’s a good idea. Who would have thought the creation of aSports’s autonomous robotic football players would complicate my life so much?”
A grin lit up Cody’s face. “Roy, I don’t think the autonomous sports league gets the blame for complicating your life.” He started counting with his fingers. “I think the complicating part is the development of nanites which can sense tremors, assess changing structural integrity of their surroundings, identify survivors, then listen and transmit all conversations and vital signs.”
Loel smiled for the first time in hours. “By the way, you guys were truly amazing down there.” She turned to Keira. “We saved such precious lives. But it’s important that we prevent the Dust from being misused and misinterpreted.”
Shifting in her seat, Keira appeared uncomfortable. “Thank you again for being there. I don’t think the crews would have made it all the way down to us, based on the insane journey we took to climb out.”
Roy noticed Keira shudder under her blanket. He smiled with pride at both of his employees. He was honored to work with this team. They devoured their food quickly, with zero reference or preference to flavor or menu. Keira picked at slices of chicken from a sandwich. She did continue to drink her tea as fast as it was steeped.
Keira took a deep breath. She was biting her lower lip and looking at the darkness beyond the window.
Loel asked, “Are you ok?”
Shaking her head, Keira exhaled again. “I’m going to be haunted by the things that could have happened. I also know that disasters like this one put a lot of kids at risk. There’s a multitude of scary things ranging from people to infrastructure that pose a threat to them.”
Roy spun the ice cube in his scotch. “This is the first time Searcher has engaged in an emergency that involved kids. It certainly raises the stakes. In my past work, we certainly saw corruption increase in places where the world was paying more attention to infrastructure than anything else.”
“Yep, I’ve seen firsthand how the vulnerable become prey for unscrupulous people in these times.” Keira sighed. “But I know the schools will work diligently to protect the kids. There are really great people in that system in Honduras. I’ll try to get back down there again soon. I told Miette I would.”
Loel said, “I suggest you give yourself some grace and take a little time before you return. It will be a while before visiting the city will be practical.”
A weary smile and a slight shrug was Keira’s response. “I thank you for sharing details about SeekerDust technology. I understand it was not ideal for another technologist to be dropped in as an uninvited observer to this mission of yours. After discussing it with Elly, she has lots of questions.”
Roy glared at Keira. “You agreed in the conference room you would discuss this with no one.” Keira flashed a warm and appreciative smile at him and then Loel. She held her hands up, deflecting Roy’s instant anger.
“I didn’t discuss it with any people. I gave you my word and my fingerprint on your form. Elly is my AI. She observed our escape route via the audible exchanges. As soon as we were high enough in the building, she picked up Wi-Fi. I had to explain to her what she had to compartmentalize and not disclose regarding our rescue. I’ll tell you, she was impressed and requested upgrades matching the capability of the Dust. I explained that wasn’t possible. Your tech is proprietary and confidential.”
Roy, unsatisfied with Keira’s casual attitude about this exposure to Searcher, cleared his throat and leaned onto the table.
Keira didn’t give him chance to make an objection. She kept talking. “Look, this is a less-than-ideal situation for all of us. I’m sure you’d like to be doing some type of post-action review or something. Believe me when I tell you I get it, at least a little. But before I pass out on what I hope is a reclining chair back there, I have two things I need to talk to you about.”
Loel waved for another round of drinks. The attendant’s tenure on Roy’s plane meant she was trusted around sensitive conversations. She also correctly perceived this drink order wasn’t for more coffee and tea. In the Jeep ride to the airport, Loel had mentioned Keira’s keen interest and observation while in the conference room. He had kept everything about the SeekerDust within his tight circle. He didn’t know how he would receive input or criticism from such a talented, confident outsider.
Deciding it was better to let Keira show her cards, sarcasm would have to cloak his frustrations. Roy waved his hand in welcome. “Please, by all means, be candid. We’ll figure out where to go with your curiosity or ideas as needed.”
Keira winced picking up her glass of wine with her right hand. She switched the glass to her left hand and flashed the scraped, bandaged palm. “I’ll be direct, partly because I want to sleep. Also, because if I don’t tell you what’s on my mind, I feel we’ll be off this plane in Seattle, and you guys will try to build as much distance between me and this event as possible. I would, if for no other reason than to avoid any chance of association.”
He understood her perception. She was partially correct.
“I understand secrecy and confidentiality. The first one I struggle with at times. The second I can embrace. I am, after all, married to an FBI agent. Thank you, by the way, for contacting him. It may have saved you from having the city crawling with CIA agents from throughout Central America.” She flashed another smile that lit up her face. “You may think I’m kidding, but he was making the calls.”
“Well, they could have blown your cover, Roy,” Loel said.
The thought had already occurred to him.
“I won’t disclose which task force Gino’s on. If this idea goes anywhere, you’ll find out. I may understand why you find secrecy so critical for your Dust. At least I hope it’s for more than competitive advantage. Your ability to essentially see through walls could be extremely valuable in saving lives during his team’s actions.”
She paused only long enough to let them superficially absorb the potential of her comment. “I’m not fully versed in their needs, but I have enough of a security clearance to know about some of the good work they do and the dangers they face. I would really like you to explore options with them. They would be interested in keeping your technology secrets, so that might also be a cultural fit.”
Her expression silenced any response to her revelation while she took a drink.
“But I have a caveat to this concept and possible introduction. If you’re not already engaged with the intelligence agency, I have a stipulation before going forward.”
Loel’s hackles were up with this last statement. Roy had felt that near electrical current broadcasting from her when he pissed her off. Cody feigned disinterest, as if he wasn’t hearing any of this. Roy said slowly, “Tell me more.”
“That’s Gino’s technique to get people talking, too.” Keira said. “I guess it’s an intelligence training thing. Don’t worry, I’m not trying to extort you. I saw you people do great work back there. But in the wrong hands, your nanites could be devastating, both the physical mining bots and the surveillance Dust. It appears you’re not following any kind of rules but your own.”
Her brow creased. Her volume increased. “We need to get your systems running on my MoralOS. They need boundaries and the ability to recognize things like property rights and unethical instructions. If you’re so worried about controlling it when one of its inventors has his hands on the wheel, what happens when someone else takes over? The ability to mine materials or recycle them sounds great. But it’s dangerous if not controlled. You alluded to wanting to work together, so maybe you’ve already considered this. I’m grateful for that Dust and terrified of its potential.”
Loel relaxed into her seat. Cody exhaled and gulped for replacement air. Roy raised his eyebrows. He was across from an astute observer. There would be little chance to redirect or deflect concepts from her. “Fair enough. May I speak now? And is your AI listening? I prefer that it’s not.”
Keira wrinkled her nose and eased her back into the chair. “Sorry, I hadn’t intended to hold court, especially on your own plane and considering the circumstances which put me here. I’m just adamant about ethical computing. Contrary to what some people believe about me, I have no interest in ripping apart free enterprise or being a crusader. But I will fight when algorithms and technology are abusive. And Elly, um, my AI, has been blocked. Please, continue.”
She reached for the plate of meats and cheese in the middle of the table and served herself heartily.
“Well, you’ve spoken a lot of truth we happen to agree with. This technology could be misused. We’re not interested in taking it through the OpenML certification programs you built and champion. The crowd-sourcing nature of building an ethical framework is great. But we don’t share well, to be honest. It exposes our technology to scrutiny by outsiders. We’re not willing to be that open with our intellectual property. Without that, getting assistance to implement the MoralOS on nanites is beyond our reach. We’ve tried with the consortium. We keep our work teams small. It creates expertise constraints at times.”
Cody tilted his head. “Keira, I’m surprised you propose working with the FBI when you publicly are very vocal against technology weaponry.”
For the first time on the plane, Keira gave Cody her attention. “I don’t contradict myself at all,” she said. “I see uses for your Dust that would lessen the amount of weaponry and violence needed by the agency. I’m too tired to work through logistics now. We can talk about introductions to Gino at another time. And as far as working together, I need to also include Ruby. She and I work together on the MoralOS and her expertise and counter-balance thinking will be invaluable.”
She stood, wrapping her blanket tighter over her shoulders and cringed. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m exhausted. I’ll put my earbuds in, and you three can talk all you want in privacy.”
Roy stood as well. “I look forward to more discussions. Your husband’s task force sounds intriguing. We’d like to meet Ruby; she sounds very talented. However, we will need to start our talks with you alone. It’s that confidentiality thing.” He pointed to the dimly lit back of the plane. “Please, get some rest.”
“Thank you again for the luxury of this direct flight home.” Keira’s eyes held his gaze with zero indication of being intimidated by him. Not even Loel looked at him with that much determination. She then looked to his team at the table. “And to all of you and Hendrick, too, thanks again for getting the kids and me out of there.”
“Keira?” Roy said as she retreated out of the light encircling their table.
Keira turned around.
“Do you consider yourself a risk taker?”
Without a beat of hesitation, she responded. “With the proper motivations, absolutely, but not irrationally so.”
She moved to the farthest seat from the table. Pleasantries were exchanged, and the flight attendant helped her get situated.
“She certainly says what’s on her mind.” Cody rubbed his knuckles and right palm with his left hand. He found his pulse point near his thumb and pinched it.
“Headache?” Roy asked.
Cody nodded.
The plane banked sharply. They each steadied their drinks. Roy grumbled, “The co-pilot must be flying. Jerry would never be that abrupt.” He didn’t like having strangers around. “We have a lot to consider,” Roy said. “I’m so happy with the Dust’s delivery on the ultimate situational awareness back there. We still need Dust with cohesive strength. We need to increase production, and we have all that Keira just put in front of us.”
“We need a little recovery time, Roy,” Loel said. “I also need to regroup from the risks you took back there. We were lucky with the mining bots. If something had distracted Cody, we could have had real risks on our hands. We can get a fresh start back at the office. Now I just need sleep, badly.”
“Yes, of course. We’ll talk about decision-making abilities in the Dust tomorrow. I want to have faith in its judgment. Its ability for surveillance is proven. Now we need to build upon its skills.”
Cody stood. “As the sayings goes, ‘With great power, comes great responsibility.’”
Roy rolled his eyes, yet silently agreed with the young man. “Goodnight, Cody.” He reached over to a panel, turned the lights lower, and darkened the windows to avoid the approaching sunrise. Loel and Cody moved stiffly to seats they could recline. Blankets were already draped across each one.
Loel looked up at Roy, still sitting at the table, spinning the ice cubes in his scotch. She said, “You know, we can’t be all things to all people.”
Smiling at her, he tilted his head. “Oh, let’s try. But how to do it without getting caught is another thing entirely.”
Interested?
Find Moral Code on Goodreads and Amazon. You can also visit the book website. Stay tuned for my review of the book in the coming months!
Thanks for joining me with Lois and Ross Melbourne. Connect with Lois on Facebook, Instagram and her website. Find Ross on his website.
If you like books like Moral Code, check out my review of The Mother Code by Carole Stivers.
If you are an indie author and would like to do a book excerpt, check out my work with me page for details.
Cover Photo by vaun0815 on Unsplash
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