What if an AI decided who should lead a nation? Would that create a perfectly efficient society, or would it expose the flaws in human governance like never before?
This question sparked the idea behind my light novel, Crowned by Code. In the futuristic world of Erevania, nearly every aspect of governance is influenced by Athena—a hyper-intelligent AI designed to guide the nation with unmatched precision. Its most crucial responsibility? Identifying Erevania’s next leader—not through elections, but through pure data-driven analysis.
But what happens when Athena chooses a convicted felon to lead the nation?
The Inspiration Behind the Story
As a fan of sci-fi, anime, and AI-driven narratives, I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of machines influencing human decisions. From fictional AI like Psycho-Pass’s Sibyl System to real-world discussions about AI governance, the concept of an objective, data-driven intelligence shaping society raises powerful ethical questions:
Can an AI truly be unbiased, or does it merely reflect the biases of its creators?
What happens when human free will clashes with machine logic?
Would a leader chosen by AI be the best choice—or just the most strategic one?
In Crowned by Code, I wanted to explore these questions through Darius Kael, a man who never expected—or wanted—to be a leader. He’s not a politician. He’s not a hero. He’s a hacker, a criminal, and a survivor. Yet, Athena’s calculations indicate he is the only one capable of saving Erevania from an imminent crisis.
But can Darius trust an AI that once condemned him?
Can Erevania trust a man they once locked away?
Or is there something deeper at play—a flaw hidden within Athena’s seemingly flawless decision-making?
Why AI Leadership Fascinates Me
Beyond fiction, the idea of AI making political decisions isn’t as far-fetched as it once seemed. Governments already use data-driven algorithms for policy recommendations, resource allocation, and economic forecasting. But could AI ever be trusted to choose a leader?
While writing Crowned by Code, I drew from real-world examples of AI governance, including AI-assisted law enforcement, predictive decision-making in government, and ongoing efforts like the European Union's AI regulations and global AI governance initiatives. While these approaches aim for efficiency and control, they also raise ethical concerns—concerns that play a huge role in the conflicts within my story.
After all, even the most perfect AI system is only as good as the data it’s given… and the people who control it.
What do you think?
Would you trust an AI to select your country’s leader? Do you think a machine could make better choices than humans, or would it only lead to more problems?
Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear what you think! 🚀
What’s Next? Free Chapters Incoming!
If this world intrigues you, then you won’t have to wait long to dive in! I’ll be posting the first chapters of Crowned by Code right here on my website.
📘 Chapter 1 will be available starting next week!
Make sure to check back every week for new story updates.
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