The Pinocchio Chip

Photina is an advanced AI sentient being. Eli developed her but learned to be human from Corinne. Photina lived with Corinne and her family and was sworn by the advanced directive to protect her people at all costs. But At Corinne’s funeral, Photina experienced an unexpected urge to harm Natasha, Corinne’s daughter. Photina fled the compound to investigate these sudden urges out of love and loyalty for the family. Photina met Drew, another advanced AI, and together, while fixing the issue, learned of another of Eli’s creations, Gemini. Gemini is an exact clone of Photina, except for the addition of the Pinocchio Chip. Now Gemini is on a rampage, hurting those whom Photina cares about. It is up to Photina to stop the out-of-control AI.

The Pinocchio Chip is a new novel by retired psychiatrist and storyteller Rick Moskovitz. Writing his book in the first person from the point-of-view of Photina, his AI main character is absolutely genius. With a unique look into the naive quality that Photina possesses, Moskovitz not only tells an exciting story but delves into the question of “what it means to be human.” Moskovitz’s tale is a fast-paced crime drama that takes place in the near future. It is an excellent mixture of mystery, sci-fi, and psychology.

Moskovitz is not the first to write a story of AIs or robots grappling with the concept of humanity. However, his narrative stands out with its unique and original ideas. Drawing from his background in psychology and psychotherapy, Moskovitz delves into the intricacies of the human brain and aspects of humanity that many writers shy away from. Importantly, his tale is not one of warning or doom. Instead, it is a beacon of hope, with characters and messages that embody positive traits. Despite scenes of mild violence, this is not a story of AI annihilating humanity, but a tale that inspires hope for a more productive future.

The Pinocchio Chip is a fast-paced, easy read. However, in its brevity, it feels as if Moskovitz has skimmed over some details. While the action is thrilling, more depth could have been given to the narrative. The same can be said for the science of developing and educating the AIs in the story. As characters, they are well-crafted, but their creation is only hinted at. Moskovitz could have provided a more comprehensive understanding of the science behind AI. For readers seeking a story about Artificial Intelligence with a positive message, look no further than The Pinocchio Chip.