MARS LEGACY

THE RISE OF AI

By: SCOTT BILLUPS

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

The colonization of Mars began with vision and the power of science and money, but it didn't take long for greed to rear its ugly head. As the wonder of Mars turned ugly, the United Nations formed the Joint Academic Research and Development Organization (JARDO) and choose the world-renowned scientist Marvin Dryer to head it up.

Dryer uses his influence at Harvard and MIT to assemble a team of the brightest young minds in science. Individually, they are all superstars, but together with a sentient AI cognate known as SAMI, they become a mighty force that wields unimaginable powers.

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“MARS LEGACY” by Scott Billups is a masterful work of hard science fiction that delves into the fascinating and sometimes frightening world of artificial intelligence. Set in a future where Elon Musk's interplanetary vision is spreading throughout the solar system, this book is a stunning example of how to blend complex scientific concepts with a riveting narrative that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

One of the standout features of this book is the author's skill in crafting a believable and immersive future world. From the intricacies of space travel to AI that can help humanity colonize the solar system, the details are all meticulously researched and thoughtfully presented.

But what I feel really sets "MARS LEGACY" apart is Scott’s perspective on artificial intelligence, and how he addresses the issues of how AI will impact our society. What happens when AI becomes more than ChatGPT?

Overall, "MARS LEGACY" is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will appeal to anyone with an interest in hard science fiction and the future of artificial intelligence. With its complex characters, intricate world-building, and profound themes, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on its readers. Highly recommended!

Brett Bilbrey
Former Head of Technology Advancement at Apple

“Stand aside, Douglas Adams and Kurt Vonnegut; Scott Billups has more mind-blowing ideas than you can shake a particle beam at.”

Brian McKernan
Former Editor - OMNI Magazine

Fun Hard Science Fiction with Great Worldbuilding

First, this is narrated by "Virtual Voice" which I thought I wouldn't like. I was wrong. It was good, and even made minor pronunciation errors. Second, there were references to various British accents the AI didn't do--but perhaps it was better for that. Third, it is ironic that a story where one of the central characters was a silicon intelligence was read by the Virtual Voice. Fourth, and most important, it was a really fun story with a ton of hard science, appealing characters and a world building that was very good. Good parallel construction and an excellent eye for letting the listener really see the places and things described.