Staying Human

Set in 2142, "Staying Human" explores a world paralyzed as alien structures demand humanity surrender all artificial intelligence within 72 hours, threatening quarantine and the loss of individuality. Driven by a linguist and a rogue AI engineer, the story unravels a potentially genuine warning from extraterrestrial beings and a mysterious signal with the power to alter consciousness. Amid collapsing governments and fractured society, they race to uncover the truth behind the alien message and the cost of survival, delving into themes of first contact, free will, and human identity.