The AI in CA Higgins ‘Radiate’ poses fundamental questions – Los Angeles Times

Weve seen many stories and theories about artificial intelligence, enough to know that its likely computers will gain some sort of sentience one day. But how will that happen? How will humans respond to it? And, perhaps most importantly, what will an artificial intelligence (AI) think of the human race?

These are the difficult questions that C.A. Higgins tackles in her provocative Lightless trilogy. The first book in the series, Lightless (2015), is set in a future in which humans have spread across space, and Earth and its solar system are controlled by an interstellar organization called the System. The Ananke is an experimental ship thats taken over by terrorists, and its up to Althea, an engineer with a special bond with the ship, to resist them. Thats an interesting plot on the surface, for sure, but its the story of Ananke, the ship, as it gains consciousness and awakens to its potential that is the crux of this trilogy. Higgins continued Althea and the Anankes journey through the series second novel, Supernova (2016), and concludes the trilogy in Radiate, released last month.

Again and again, Ananke finds itself in mortal peril, with only the being it considers its mother, Althea, to guide it. It would be easy to make a motherchild comparison in their relationship, yet in any traditional relationship between parents and children the power resides overwhelmingly in the hands of the parents. If children dont learn and obey, they are punished. How then do you handle a situation where the roles are flipped so completely? Althea has no control over what Ananke does, and as an artificial intelligence, the ships power is almost immeasurable. The damage it can do is, quite simply, catastrophic.

Althea does her best to guide the ship through its tumultuous awakening and adolescence, but the journey is rough. Anankes desires are understandable: to know the people who created it; to find companionship, another being like it. These childlike, and yet very adult, requests are heartbreaking. Higgins is able to make an all-powerful ship surprisingly sympathetic; Ananke may hurt others in its frustration, but it also does not understand the consequences of its actions. Its wholly sad and utterly frightening, given the ships capabilities.

Anankes actions and journey of self-discovery are all the more fraught given the complicated political situation. The man that Ananke considers its father, Matthew, is a member of a terrorist organization that has launched a devastating attack on the organization that controls Earth. The solar system is in chaos, and Ananke is adding to it through a determined search for Matthew, with a reluctant Althea along for the ride.

Its clear from the beginning of Radiate that the book is leading to an explosive ending. But what does explosive mean in this context? Sometimes the quietest story lines can make for the most earth-shattering revelations, as each character in this book goes on their own journey of self-discovery. They must each decide what matters to them and what theyll risk in order to do what they believe is right.

Although Radiate can be confusing as it jumps back and forth in time, fleshing out the past while pushing the thrust of the narrative forward, it is rewarding for readers who stick with it. After a stellar first outing in Lightless and an uneven and somewhat bleak sequel in Supernova, Higgins is in fine form closing out her space opera.

For more than science-fiction fans, the Lightless trilogy is great for those who have little experience with the genre because of its narrative style. Its a perfect sci-fi entry point that matches a rich, character-driven story with fundamental questions about who we are and why were here.

Krishna writes for Paste Magazine and Syfy Wire and is one-half of the podcast Desi Geek Girls. Shes on Twitter @skrishna

Radiate

C.A. Higgins

Del Rey: 336 pp., $27

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The AI in CA Higgins 'Radiate' poses fundamental questions - Los Angeles Times