ThigMOO

ThigMOO

Eugene Byrne

#5148 of 8,085 books · #1056 in Science Fiction

Shortlisted for the BSFA Award for Best Novel (1999).

At the University of Wessex, Sir John Westgate and Dr Katharine Beckford have used computer power and AIs to create over 200 fictional characters from all periods of history, known as 'erams', who respond to questions as a real human being would. Soldiers, parsons, lawyers, even a Victorian tart with a heart. For Dr Beckford, it's a wonderful use of artificial intelligence and a superb learning tool. For Sir John, it's a wonderful use of university funds and a superb way to make money (and gain personal honours). Something was bound to go wrong. When a number of erams escape from the system, becoming self-aware, it seems that the outbreak can be contained, but life is never that simple. But the University should never have attempted to destroy them.