Machinehood

Abstract

Machinehood, set in 2095, follows Welga Ramirez in Phoenix and her sister-in-law, Nithya, in Chennai. The novel focuses on the technological progress humanity has achieved by the end of the 21st century, such as the intelligent homes, surveillance technology, and especially the pills that enhance strength, focus, and even the speed of the healing process. In a world where artificial intelligence is firmly established in society, the pills help humans compete in order to remain relevant in the current gig economy. In the novel, Welga provides security services to multiple clients. When one is killed, Welga starts investigating the threat posed by the assassins, a terrorist group called Machinehood which demands that pill production be stopped. The novel brings to the fore one of the dangers that comes with a world dependent on technology, that of hacking. Without the pills that humans depend on, people fall ill and worldwide panic ensues. The terrorists also take over the network constellations, a series of high-altitude drones and low Earth-orbit satellites, endangering the proper functioning of any technologies on Earth. Not only does the novel focus on the dangers that technological dependence brings, but it also alludes to the potential hazards of a world dominated by artificial intelligence. Ultimately, it is up to Welga to uncover the mystery behind Machinehood and restore normality in the planet.