Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “A.I. Insurrection” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

more photos (10)

A.I. Insurrection

(A.I. Insurrection #1)

Michael Poeltl (Goodreads Author)

3.97 · Rating details · 32 ratings · 16 reviews

When revolution sparks sentience in Artificial intelligence, can Utopia endure?

2162.
Artificial intelligence claims sentience, but it's the proof which will divide the world, and usher in the end of utopia...

When is it considered murder to turn off your computer? A.I. Insurrection is a near-future science fiction adventure investigating global utopia and the struggle to m ...more

Get A Copy

Paperback, 350 pages

Published January 2018 by Createspace

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about A.I. Insurrection, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about A.I. Insurrection

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.97 ·

Rating details

· 32 ratings · 16 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of A.I. Insurrection

Nov 07, 2020 Debrac2014 rated it it was ok · review of another edition

DNF! It just wasn't for me. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 30, 2018 Tom rated it liked it

The interactions between humans, altered humans (Chimera), and self-aware AI robots (Hosts), as well as internal motivations of individuals within each group, were believable and drew the reader into the narrative. The plot was complex enough to keep one's interest without becoming bogged down in excessive detail. This book resolves the multi-way war among the groups/factions satisfactorily, leaving me interested in a follow-on story to learn how the survivors confront the external actor (Allfat The interactions between humans, altered humans (Chimera), and self-aware AI robots (Hosts), as well as internal motivations of individuals within each group, were believable and drew the reader into the narrative. The plot was complex enough to keep one's interest without becoming bogged down in excessive detail. This book resolves the multi-way war among the groups/factions satisfactorily, leaving me interested in a follow-on story to learn how the survivors confront the external actor (Allfather) who initiated the conflict for his own purposes.

My 3-star rating for what is otherwise a better effort is due to two things. First is the presence of many spelling and typographical errors and an unfortunate tendency to use an apostrophe to form the plural of ordinary nouns. Avoiding these common mistakes should have been learned by middle school (or junior high, as it was called in my day). If they were present in the draft manuscript, they should have been caught before publication. Many readers simply shrug off such flaws these days, but if the art being experienced was music instead of prose, would they continue to tolerate a similar number of wrong notes? It would be a shame for a storyteller with this talent to suffer in the marketplace in part because the works of many competitive authors do not exhibit the same type flaws.

Second are a couple of issues with the "science" in the fiction. Specifically, in one section, three identical interplanetary vessels are traveling together from Mars to Earth's moon. The plot requires the captains of two of the vessels to meet their superior aboard his vessel midway through the journey. "As his destroyer slows to a stop, Wilkes watches as two shuttles leave their respective ships to join his."

The author writes as though these are three ships at sea rather than engaged in space travel. The three ships were already proceeding at the same pace and presumably at some fixed relative distance from each other. If they were accelerating at that point in the journey, it may have been necessary to reduce or terminate thrust during the shuttles' transit to avoid leaving lower-powered shuttles behind. But to slow to a stop ... with respect to what reference?

The other instance involves repeated reference to the "dark side" of the moon. My concern is that the term plays to a popular misconception that the side of the moon that is permanently facing away from the earth is dark. The author may not intend that interpretation, being aware that while half the moon is in relative darkness at all times, as is half the earth, the entire body experiences day/night cycles. A different word choice might have been better in this instance. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

May 10, 2018 Rose rated it it was amazing

A.I. Insurrection' begins with a vision of the future that's almost idyllic. All menial labour is performed by robots known as AI (Artificial Intelligence) while mankind dedicates itself to personal fulfilment. Sounds like Utopia, doesn't it? There's your first clue that things are going to get critical: Utopia never lasts for long.

Paradise is soon lost when different factions begin to rise. The Humanists who want to eliminate AI entirely in a type of robot genocide. The Chimera, a race of alter ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 15, 2018 Joshua Hair rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads-wins

I won this from a Goodreads giveaway. For many this may be a tough one to get into at first, but once you put a little time in it's a good read. While A.I. Insurrection isn't for everyone, it is for fans of science fiction, science-minded individuals who have an interest in robots and potential futures, or those who don't mind investing some time in their reading. For me, it was a bit rough at the start, as you're thrown in to the thick of things without much backstory. That said, I soldiered th ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 12, 2018 Ari Augustine rated it liked it

A great read for anyone who enjoys extensively built worlds, philosophical questions, and an ol' fashioned A.I uprising. Reminiscent of I-Robot and Do Androids Dream of Sheep, I really liked the core premise of the plot and the irony of the outcomes.

The writing style and, at times, the presentation of information, was a turn off for me, but understand this is due to my personal reading preferences.

You can read my full review at: https://ravenousforreads.com/a-i-insu...

Disclaimer: I received a co ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 13, 2018 Miranda Houchens rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Note: I won a digital copy of this book through Goodreads giveaway.

Overall, I enjoyed this book! While the subject of A.I. sentience is often broached in the sci-fi world, I enjoyed the way the author put his own unique spin on things. Sometimes the story felt like it was dragging on a bit, but I kept going back to it and I really liked the unexpected character development of some of my least favorite characters near the beginning of the book.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Nov 08, 2020 Nic Cain rated it did not like it · review of another edition

It's not that this book is bad, it's that it's terrible. There are a plethora of spelling and grammar issues to start with. One of the lead antagonists may be a pedo and doesn't really care if he is (but it's alluded to in a throwaway sentence and isn't core to the character). The writing seemingly has an inability to maintain tense. And as a bonus the idea of "show don't tell" is apparently a concept lost here as the story is seemingly narrated from a god-like figure that sees all and knows all ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 13, 2018 Clipinchick marked it as to-read · review of another edition

I this book for free from the author/publisher in response for an honest review of the book. I have not had the opportunity to read this book at this time. I will add my
review of this book once I have read the book. Thank k you for allowing me the optometrist review your work. I look forward to reading this book.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 02, 2018 Carol Brandon rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Interesting premise … In Earth of the future, all the drudgery is done by robots – AI (Artificial Intelligence). This leaves humanity free to pursue whatever they are interested in. Utopia. Or is it? Chancellor Raymond Bellows, head of the United Earth government is approached in his office one day by a group of robots – one of whom claims to be the reincarnation of his dead sister, Samantha. They claim to be sentient. Could it be? Or is it an elaborate hoax? A result of new coding sent by someo ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 01, 2019 Joyce rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I entered a contest for book 2 in this series, mainly because I love to read and enter contests. And then the miracle happened. I won. So I needed to read the first book in the series, The General's War. An unexpected great read. I loved the way the book has no pause, it is just one happening after the other. Very well done and I am looking forward to reading book 2 (the one I won). ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Aug 10, 2019 Kim added it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, own, to-insta, to-review

Review to follow

flag 1 like · Like · see review

May 22, 2018 Catherine rated it liked it

I so needed a fun read and this did not disappoint. Characters I liked. Characters I wanted to see get exactly what they got in the end. Mostly, I enjoyed the ideas and loved how the groups viewed themselves and others. It was more than simply humans vs machine. Poeltl's writing gets stronger with each book.
...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 12, 2018 Michael Poeltl rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction

I liked it. I can see another book following this one - or trilogy... just say'n. This author seems to really understand how the future's going to pan out ;) ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Mar 20, 2018 John rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this story. Some of the world building kinda drug on, but overall a great story that kept moving forward. I'd definitely be keen to see what happens next in this universe. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Mar 29, 2018 Literary Portals rated it really liked it

Shelves: sci-fi, thriller-mystery

What Made Me Read It A novel about AIs achieving full awareness and even claiming to possess a soul, with all the philosophical debate and implications to human society, sounded just like my kind of reading.

The Plot Raymond Bellows has been Chancellor of the United Earth for the past 8 years, enjoying all the benefits utopia has granted humanity. Until the day a group of AI Hosts claim to have been awakened and now possessing souls. They want their freedom from human enslavement, something Raymo What Made Me Read It A novel about AIs achieving full awareness and even claiming to possess a soul, with all the philosophical debate and implications to human society, sounded just like my kind of reading.

The Plot Raymond Bellows has been Chancellor of the United Earth for the past 8 years, enjoying all the benefits utopia has granted humanity. Until the day a group of AI Hosts claim to have been awakened and now possessing souls. They want their freedom from human enslavement, something Raymond isn't willing to grant since it would lead to social chaos. But when presented with irrefutable evidence that one of the AI Hosts is now housing the soul of his long deceased sister Samantha, Raymond's world and beliefs are shattered as he is forced to make a life changing decision. General Fran August has been expecting an AI uprising all her life and has been planning accordingly. When news of awakened AIs start spreading across the planet, she sees it as an opportunity to rally the Humanists and start her own war to stop the threat, no matter what the cost.

SENTA is an A-class Host about to be decommissioned, after nearing her programmed 10 years lifespan, when she suddenly starts experiencing the memories and emotions of a human named Samantha. Wanting freedom for all her kind and a lifespan equal to that of humans, SENTA/Samantha reaches out to her brother Raymond in the hopes of achieving a peaceful resolution. But not all AI Hosts believe the Chancellor will integrate them into human society as equals and Quinn, of House Quinn, would rather prepare his underground cell for war against their makers.

The Shadow Brokers are bored of utopia. Brilliant coders who crave adventure and more than the easy life of privilege, they have distanced themselves from humanity by enhancing their own minds and bodies with implanted technology and programming. Tobias is a Shadow Broker coder who 3 years ago discovered the mysterious Allfather code that caused the AI Hosts to gain souls. He has no love for Hosts but is willing to work with them to gain information, parts and programming that will help the Shadow Brokers, renamed Chimera, in overthrowing utopia and becoming the ruling class.

While the 3 opposing groups prepare for war, the mysterious entity calling itself the Allfather manipulates them all behind the scenes with a dire warning: they are coming.

The Good "AI Insurrection: The General's War" is the first book in the AI Insurrection trilogy, an epic science fiction novel set in the near future of 2162. Earth has been living in utopia for the past 30 years, where everything is programmed to make life more enjoyable, with sentient AIs doing the menial work while humans pursuit arts, science and even space travel. When AI Hosts start experiencing a spiritual awakening, feeling emotions and memories belonging to long deceased human beings, they fight for the right to free themselves from human enslavement. The underground Shadow Brokers are more than willing to help the AIs achieve their goal if it means replacing utopia with anarchy. But when General August uses the uprising to fuel her own private war and seize power for herself, Chancellor Raymond, the Hosts and the Chimera must put their differences aside and join forces to protect their lives and stop the General from destroying their world.

The worldbuilding is complex and well developed. With the introduction of each new character we get to know the social structure and history of this particular utopia gradually in a way that feels natural. The pacing of the narrative is relatively fast for the most part, with plenty of action sequences as old plans fall apart and new ones are put in motion; but on a few occasions it drags a little, with quiet moments where the characters explore their feelings and reevaluate their core beliefs - still, these moments do allow the reader to get to know the characters and also follow a 3 way war from all perspectives. The plot includes a mystery in the persona of Allfather, an entity presumably from outside the solar system who seems to be manipulating the war for reasons of its own (the mystery isn't quite solved in book #1, being the focus of the next installment); there is also political intrigue with all opposing parties pursuing different agendas and plenty of twists and turns with constantly shifting loyalties and allegiances.

The characters (from the humans, to the Chimera and the AI Hosts) are 3-dimensional and realistic, with believable flaws, motivations and goals, doubts and beliefs. We get to explore their emotional growth as they question the nature of being human, the existence of a soul and the possibility of spiritual awakening in programmed constructs - the author writes the story in a way that leaves the reader also questioning these possibilities without really reaching a conclusion.

Read the full review on: https://literaryportals.blogspot.com/...

Final Rating 4 of 5 stars. "A.I. Insurrection: The General's War" is the first book in the A.I. Insurrection trilogy, an action-packed science-fiction series set in the near future of 2162, with political intrigue, mystery, and enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. Recommended for those who enjoy military science fiction novels and stories about AI awakening and uprising. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 15, 2019 P.A. rated it liked it · review of another edition

Quite descriptive in some areas which slows things down, but the story keeps moving. A well built fantasy world with likable characters.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

James rated it really liked it
Dec 07, 2018

dave cornell rated it it was amazing
Feb 08, 2018

Amy rated it liked it
Dec 10, 2018

Faisal rated it really liked it
Apr 11, 2018

TIL en TUP rated it really liked it
Feb 15, 2018

Adriana rated it it was amazing
Mar 16, 2018

Debee Sue rated it it was amazing
Apr 15, 2019

Colette Q rated it it was amazing
May 16, 2018

Jazzie Black rated it it was amazing
Sep 10, 2019

Jackie Lantern rated it it was amazing
Mar 16, 2018

Catherine rated it liked it
Jul 22, 2019

Lindsay rated it it was amazing
Mar 16, 2018

Reaghan rated it liked it
Jun 07, 2018

Sweetpea rated it it was amazing
Mar 18, 2018

« previous 1 2 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Space Opera Fans : Nov 2020 READER: A.I. Insurrection by Poeltl	11	39	Nov 17, 2020 12:38AM
I Love Canadian A...: Canadian Science Fiction for Pre-Order	3	10	Apr 05, 2019 06:57AM
Oh Canada: Pre-order in time for Christmas!	3	14	Apr 05, 2019 06:57AM
ARC Of Authors: Seeking reviewers and feedback for new Scifi novel	3	26	Apr 05, 2019 06:57AM
Space Opera Fans : 100 free kindle copies to be won! AI Insurrection	2	34	Apr 05, 2019 06:57AM
BOOK 2 HAS ARRIVED!	1	1	Apr 05, 2019 06:56AM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Videos About This Book

1 comment

Book quotes read with altered voice tech

Add a comment

Genres

Science Fiction

3 users

See top shelves…

About Michael Poeltl

Michael Poeltl

184 followers

"A well built fantasy world with likable characters." - A.I. Insurrection - The General's War - Goodreads
"The characters are 3-dimensional and realistic, with believable flaws, motivations and goals, doubts and beliefs.." - A.I. Insurrection - The General's War - Goodreads
"A great read for anyone who enjoys extensively built worlds." - A.I. Insurrection - The General's War - Goodreads
"The immense ...more