We are taking bookings for RSL members only. FREE public tickets can be booked today (Wednesday 3 June) via cogx.co.

CogX's first online book club will bring together RSL Members and CogX attendees to discuss the short story, 'The Lifecycle of Software Objects', taken from award-winning science-fiction author Ted Chiang's latest collection Exhalation. The club will be led by science fiction writer, and CogX speaker, Temi Oh.

'The Lifecycle of Software Objects' follows a zookeeper over two decades as she raises an AI housepet, which develops in intelligence. It is a brilliant example of how fiction can grapple with major questions of technology, AI and consciousness.

Ted Chiang's publisher Picador has generously provided this story for free to attendees, which can be accessed here (simply register for a free NetGalley account). We recommend registering as early as possible to allow time to read beforehand – but if you are also welcome to join if you haven't finished it.

RSL Members should register here and follow instructions in their confirmation email. Public tickets are available at cogx.co.

Temi Oh is the author of Do you Dream of Terra-Two?, a novel about a British expedition to an Earth-like planet which won the American Library Association’s Alex Award in 2020. She graduated from King’s College London with a degree in neuroscience where she founded and ran a book-club called ‘Neuroscience-fiction’, leading discussions about science-fiction books which focus on the brain. She will also be speaking alongside Kate Pullinger and Dr. Charlotte Webb on the RSL's CogX 'Living Through Fiction' panel at 6pm, Monday 8 June.

Ted Chiang won the Nebula Award for his first published story, 'Tower of Babylon'. Following this triumph, his stories have won him numerous other awards, making him one of the most honoured writers in contemporary science fiction. The title story from his first collection of short stories, Stories of Your Life and Others, was the basis for the Academy Award nominated film Arrival, starring Amy Adams.

CogX attendees should register their space here.