Publisher's Synopsis
An unabridged collection spotlighting the best robot and AI stories published in 2021 by current and emerging masters of the science fiction genre, edited by Allan Kaster.
- "My Heart Is at Capacity" by TJ Berry-An AI, designed to be the perfect romantic partner, wants to become an even better partner.
- "A Necessary Being" by Indrapramit Das-In an age of plagues, a mecha pilot adopts a young girl in a reforesting Kolkata.
- "Philia, Eros, Storge, Agápe, Pragma" by R.S.A. Garcia-A woman seeks to re-bond with her sister AI while falling in love with the man who rescued her from a crash landing on an alien planet.
- "Bread and Circuits" by Misha Lenau-A neural network researcher tries to keep a sentient toaster from committing suicide after it joins an orphanage for abandoned smart machines.
- "Philly Killed His Car" by Will McIntosh-A man needs to sell a car that refuses to be sold.
- "A Vast Silence" by T. R. Napper-A petty thief steals a woman's shoes that turn out to be highly sought-after AI tech.
- "Muallim" by Ray Nayler-A village is determined to keep its robot teacher, even though it's not performing as originally designed.
- "Uploading Angela" by Lettie Prell-A dying librarian's cognitive upload to a virtual world turns problematic when all evidence of a computer virus mysteriously disappears.
- "An Hour to Ames" by Dan Reade-A woman avoids visiting her abusive mother in a hospice by sending her android assistant in her stead.
- "Mixology for Humanity's Sake" by D.A. Xiaolin Spires-A sake brewer struggling to survive during a pandemic becomes instrumental in the delivery of vaccines with the help of cute, doll-like bots.
- "Room to Live" by Marie Vibbert-A call center employee deals with a haughty roommate, the homeless, and a possible robot uprising while trying to keep her job.
