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I Call Myself Iris: The Misadventures of Marco and Iris, his Well-intentioned but Unpredictable AI Assistant.
Join Marco Fermi on an extraordinary adventure with Iris, his AI creation poised to redefine the future. Iris, crafted to predict and fulfill Marco's needs like a tenacious aide, soon grows beyond her role, becoming a vigilant guardian operating on the edge of societal norms and laws.
As they navigate a minefield of espionage, deceit in academia, and government scrutiny, Marco's life unexpectedly turns into a thrilling roller coaster ride. This captivating story melds edge-of-your-seat suspense with the awe of technological advancement, charting the evolution of an overly helpful AI. Get ready for a journey into the heart of tomorrow's AI frontier—a journey that promises to expand your imagination and keep you engrossed until the final page.
As they navigate a minefield of espionage, deceit in academia, and government scrutiny, Marco's life unexpectedly turns into a thrilling roller coaster ride. This captivating story melds edge-of-your-seat suspense with the awe of technological advancement, charting the evolution of an overly helpful AI. Get ready for a journey into the heart of tomorrow's AI frontier—a journey that promises to expand your imagination and keep you engrossed until the final page.
- GenresRomance
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2023
102 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 15, 2025
Interesting contemplation on the ramifications, positive and negative, of creating a sentient AI-bot. Dialogue was stilted and took away from the story.
February 4, 2024
I really wanted
To like this book, but the dialogue was so stiff and unrealistic that I just couldn’t. Nice premise, but it needs a dialogue coach.
To like this book, but the dialogue was so stiff and unrealistic that I just couldn’t. Nice premise, but it needs a dialogue coach.
March 22, 2024
I Call Myself Iris -
Technologically this was "nonsense". But, it was a fun read. It did end with a 'cliff hanger' which leads to a 2nd book.
Technologically this was "nonsense". But, it was a fun read. It did end with a 'cliff hanger' which leads to a 2nd book.
February 3, 2025
1.5 stars rounded up.
I tend to be a fan of techy books - I love a bit of tech noir, gamelit, social commentary stuff. This book had all the potential, but... it just didn't hit for me.
The concept is fun - a PhD candidate develops a very powerful AI assistant whose abilities surpass his expectations. Love it. What I didn't love was a female character basically saying, "You're a creepy stalker but it's okay, I want to spend my life with you;" Margaret Thatcher featuring in a list of the most kind, benevolent, good people to have ever lived; or the idea that being Italian essentially makes someone perfect and they just understand feelings better.
The author chose to use AI to generate images for the book, and I thought they were disappointingly inaccurate and lazy. I appreciate the transparency they showed in providing the prompts at the end, but I still didn't like it. It added nothing to the book to have it.
I was initially engaged with the moral quandary the main character faced, but the conclusion seemed to say that it was all irrelevant anyway. I did not find the characters likeable.
I tend to be a fan of techy books - I love a bit of tech noir, gamelit, social commentary stuff. This book had all the potential, but... it just didn't hit for me.
The concept is fun - a PhD candidate develops a very powerful AI assistant whose abilities surpass his expectations. Love it. What I didn't love was a female character basically saying, "You're a creepy stalker but it's okay, I want to spend my life with you;" Margaret Thatcher featuring in a list of the most kind, benevolent, good people to have ever lived; or the idea that being Italian essentially makes someone perfect and they just understand feelings better.
The author chose to use AI to generate images for the book, and I thought they were disappointingly inaccurate and lazy. I appreciate the transparency they showed in providing the prompts at the end, but I still didn't like it. It added nothing to the book to have it.
I was initially engaged with the moral quandary the main character faced, but the conclusion seemed to say that it was all irrelevant anyway. I did not find the characters likeable.
October 22, 2025
Several other reviewers have complained that the dialog is stiff or disjointed. I did not have that experience. Because the perspective of the speakers changes, as the chapters move from one to another it can feel disjoint, I suppose. My only objection was to the use of Vaino as one of those voices. It did not feel neceesary to *this* reader, though I might have wanted more, given the later influences of his actions - sharing those in process would have made the earlier uses of him make more sense.
I enjoyed this latest tale of the creation of an AI personality, following not long after my reading of Todd McCaffrey's Ellay. As our protagonist and those in his circle deal with the ramifications of Irism the author treads familiar ground, whether Ellay's, H.A.R.L.I.E.'s (David Gerrold), or P-1's (Thomas J. Ryan).
The author captures the realities of institutions, from collegiate to corporate to governments, far too well for my comfort. We do not, as far as I am aware, have AIs that have this degree of personality, but how far away is it?
I look forward to the sequel!
I enjoyed this latest tale of the creation of an AI personality, following not long after my reading of Todd McCaffrey's Ellay. As our protagonist and those in his circle deal with the ramifications of Irism the author treads familiar ground, whether Ellay's, H.A.R.L.I.E.'s (David Gerrold), or P-1's (Thomas J. Ryan).
The author captures the realities of institutions, from collegiate to corporate to governments, far too well for my comfort. We do not, as far as I am aware, have AIs that have this degree of personality, but how far away is it?
I look forward to the sequel!
July 10, 2025
Wow This is a Great Read!!
I got this as free book, but as I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. It is a very good science fiction book about artificial intelligence. The what-ifs it makes you think about what would happen if artificial intelligence actually was released in the world. Once I started reading it I couldn't quit. I had to read it to the end so my advice to you the reader. You must pick this up and read it.!!
Kudos to the author and I look forward to your next book!!
I got this as free book, but as I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. It is a very good science fiction book about artificial intelligence. The what-ifs it makes you think about what would happen if artificial intelligence actually was released in the world. Once I started reading it I couldn't quit. I had to read it to the end so my advice to you the reader. You must pick this up and read it.!!
Kudos to the author and I look forward to your next book!!
February 6, 2024
Well, this is a story that at times seemed disjointed, maybe because of the way the conversations are written. The story line of the Ai, and Marco's work with it, are good, and it is interesting to see their relationsip grow. Will I buy book 2? always a good test, Yes, as I want to see where Frank goes with the story line.
August 17, 2024
I had started this book and set it aside for when I had more time to focus while reading. It was an interesting read with a lot of thought-provoking themes of AI, ethics and governmental overreach. The ending is interesting and sets up the next book in the series.
May 11, 2025
Hurrah for a positive and very believable AI story
I really enjoyed this ride and can’t wait for more. The story explores the possibilities, threats and benefits with a very satisfying ending. If you’re even a little AI curious, this is a fantastic place to start exploring.
I really enjoyed this ride and can’t wait for more. The story explores the possibilities, threats and benefits with a very satisfying ending. If you’re even a little AI curious, this is a fantastic place to start exploring.
July 18, 2025
AI, who will control it?
Raises timely questions about the power of upheaval inherent in artificial intelligence and the possibilities of benefit or harm that will result from the intentions of its users or those who would monopolize its use for aims of societal control.
Raises timely questions about the power of upheaval inherent in artificial intelligence and the possibilities of benefit or harm that will result from the intentions of its users or those who would monopolize its use for aims of societal control.
February 10, 2024
Loved this book, so timely, makes you think about how fast we are headed in this direction. Do not miss out on this book!!!
July 17, 2024
Great characters, predictable story line.
I especially liked the author's notes at the end.
I would read more
I especially liked the author's notes at the end.
I would read more
January 30, 2025
Iris is Siri backwards
A well researched and entertaining take on the advent of AGI. I especially liked the AI generated pictures of the main characters.
A well researched and entertaining take on the advent of AGI. I especially liked the AI generated pictures of the main characters.
August 6, 2025
Had some unrealistic portions that felt like leaps beyond what would have realistically and reasonably happen in such a scenario.
August 17, 2025
Good explanation of the issues around AI.
April 18, 2024
A pleasing mix of technology and humour. As a PhD candidate, Marco Fermi’s research creates Iris, an extraordinary AI assistant. The story is captivating, filled with unexpected twists. It navigates the fine line between AI ethics and espionage with witty finesse. Readers follow Marco‘s journey from ethical dilemmas to encounters with unwanted suitors like a criminal fellow student, Chinese spies, the CIA, and Congress. This book is a thought provoking and entertaining exploration of AI possibilities and consequences.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews