The AI Incident

J.E. Thomas's 'The AI Incident' introduces Malcolm Montgomery, a foster kid who's constantly the 'new kid' and struggles with nervousness. His biggest wish is to find a forever family. His world is turned upside down on Visiting Professionals' Day when an advanced AI robot from a tech company goes rogue at his middle school. Malcolm must find the courage to confront the incident, navigating themes of identity, belonging, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. It's a fast-paced, engaging story that combines sci-fi adventure with a heartfelt exploration of a child's search for connection.

The Wild Robot meets Restart when Colorado's unluckiest foster kid battles a rogue AI robot at school. Malcolm Montgomery is the new kid at Shirley Chisholm Charter Middle School. In no time at all, he’s been slapped with the weird kid label. Is it because he's a foster kid who's been in nine homes? Or maybe because he burps when he gets nervous…which is often? Malcolm has a plan to finally get adopted by a forever family before it's too late. But then on Visiting Professionals' Day, his school invites Dr. Alphonse Hatch, president of Hatch-ED—one of the fastest-growing artificial intelligence companies in the state—to give a presentation. Dr. Hatch brings his AI-powered robot, and events get set in motion that create...THE INCIDENT. An irresistible MG novel about the role of AI in schools and in our lives…and what it means to be human.