Machines Like Me is set in an alternative history timeline in which Alan Turing survived World War II and helped advance robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and technology. In 1982, Charlie Friend, a former anthropology student and AI enthusiast, purchases one of the exclusive first models of artificial humans with money he inherited from his mother. What persuaded him to do so was that his idol, Sir Alan Turing, also purchased a model. The 25 available models were crafted to represent a full range of ethnicities but are either male or female and named Adam or Eve, respectively. They are advertised as companions, both sexual and platonic, and conversationalists. Charlie brings Adam to his apartment and plugs him in for his initial 16-hour charge. His upstairs neighbor, Miranda, comes to see Adam. Charlie realizes that he has been in love with Miranda for months but doubts that Miranda cares for him, as she’s often indifferent or secretive about her emotions.

Charlie dictates emails and checks his investments on the stock market while printing Adam’s instruction manual. He doesn’t currently have a job and has a long history of failed financial schemes. After he has finished charging Adam, Charlie will need to choose Adam’s personality based on a series of questions, which will in turn influence Adam’s factory settings to create a

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