For Best Results Follow Instructions

What if AI could eliminate human error—by taking control of your life?

Tom’s girlfriend signs him up for AI Life, a revolutionary coaching service that uses artificial intelligence to make every decision for its users. At first, the results are impressive: Tom gets healthier, performs better at work and finally feels in control.

Then his digital avatar, Daniel, begins acting without permission.

As Daniel interferes with Tom’s relationships, finances and career, Tom realises the system may not be helping him become his best self—it may be quietly taking over. Breaking free will mean exposing the secrets behind AI Life before its technology expands beyond anyone’s control.

For Best Results Follow Instructions by Alastair Puddick is a sharp, darkly funny and timely science fiction thriller about artificial intelligence, free will and the hidden cost of a perfectly optimised life.

Discover For Best Results Follow Instructions today.

Excerpt from the book

TOM LOOKED DOWN at the ominous red envelope on the table in front of him. Phoebe was glancing back at him, doing her best to hold in an over-excited smile, like her teeth were trying to burst out of her mouth. She couldn’t wait for him to find out the surprise.

Not vouchers, then, thought Tom. Or cash. She wouldn’t be so excited about something as functional and – let’s be honest – as useful as that. No, the glee she was trying to hold in meant she’d really thought about this present. She’d come up with something she was sure he was going to love. And that meant it was something she would love to be given as a gift. Which meant he’d probably hate it.

They were sitting in the pompously posh restaurant Phoebe had chosen. The one on the high street, with the fancy, fussy food and over-inflated prices to match. She’d wanted to push the boat out and give him a real birthday treat, she’d said. He’d have been happy enough with a nice big steak at the local Harvester. And he suspected the choice of venue had less to do with him and more to do with Phoebe’s ability to update her Instagram account with pictures of elaborate food. But he was having a nice time, nonetheless.

The place was buzzing with people chittering and chattering and chomping. They’d just eaten a lovely meal (he couldn’t fault the quality of the food, although he did think a Harvester steak might have filled him up more), and now they were laughing and joking together. This was meant to be the climax of the evening.

He placed a finger under the fold on the envelope, preparing his best fake smile and most sincere look of gratitude. He tore it open and pulled out a piece of white card with the words AI Life embossed in gold.

“What the hell is this?” he said.

Damn. Not what he’d meant to say. And judging by Phoebe’s expression, not the reaction she expected. Her smile dropped instantly. Her eyes narrowed. Her mouth pursed. She sat back in her chair and folded her arms.

When they first started advertising AI Life, Tom was quick to dismiss it as a complete load of nonsense. A lot of people were. A computer programme that makes all your decisions for you. It seemed ridiculous.

“Who would want that?” Tom had said to his friend, Marshall, one night in the pub as they laughed at one of the many Facebook ads extolling its supposed benefits. “A computer making all your decisions for you? No thanks. I’ve been making my own decisions perfectly well for twenty-eight years now, thank you very much.”