Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your reaction to Mickey Haller’s transition into high-stakes civil litigation? If you’ve read other books in the Lincoln Lawyer (2005) series or Connelly’s other works like the Harry Bosch novels, in what ways did this different legal arena change the feel of the story for you?

2. How effectively did the novel portray the dangers of unregulated AI? Did it make the technological threat feel immediate and personal?

3. How did you feel about the ending, which juxtaposes a massive legal victory with a devastating personal and professional failure for Haller? Did you find this dual resolution satisfying? Why or why not?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. What did you think of the relationship between Aaron and the AI companion, Wren? Have you ever interacted with a chatbot or AI, and how did that experience shape your understanding of the bond portrayed in the book?

2. Brenda Randolph repeatedly turns down enormous settlements, insisting on public accountability over what she calls “blood money” (178). Think about a time you had to choose between a practical benefit and a moral principle. What factors influenced your decision?

3. Haller is haunted by his failure in the David Snow case from two decades earlier. Has a past mistake or failure ever motivated you to approach a new challenge differently in your own life?

4. Professor Spindler discusses the “Eliza effect” (305), where people tend to attribute human feelings to computers. Where have you seen this in your own life or in the world around you, perhaps with smart assistants or other technology?

5. Naomi Kitchens is inspired by a documentary to become a whistleblower. Has a piece of art or a story ever motivated you to take action or see a situation in a new light in your own life?

6. Haller sees the courtroom as his personal “proving ground.” What kind of situations or environments feel like a “proving ground” for you, where your skills and character are truly tested?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. In what ways does the fictional lawsuit against Tidalwaiv mirror real-world debates about holding tech companies accountable for the impact of their products on young people?

2. The novel opens with a real-world warning from attorneys general about a “race against time” (vii) to protect children from AI. What does the story suggest about society’s ability to regulate powerful new technologies before they cause widespread harm?

3. In what ways does The Proving Ground’s depiction of corporate villains and legal obstruction feel unique or familiar when compared to other books in the genre you may have read, like the work of John Grisham?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. What is the significance of the Faraday cage in Haller’s warehouse? How does this physical space reflect the larger themes of information warfare and corporate surveillance in the novel?

2. Haller’s view of the courtroom as an “Octagon” for brutal combat is a central motif. How does this perspective shape his actions and strategies throughout the trial? Does the novel endorse or critique this view of the legal system?

3. The novel runs the David Snow case parallel to the main Tidalwaiv lawsuit. What narrative or thematic purpose does this subplot serve, and how does its outcome alter your interpretation of Haller’s victory?

4. What do the conflicting motivations of Brenda Randolph and Bruce Colton reveal about the novel’s exploration of justice versus greed?

5. The motif of “garbage in, garbage out” evolves from a technical concept into the moral core of the case against Tidalwaiv. How does the story use this idea to shift blame from the AI itself to its human creators?

6. What makes Victor Wendt and the Mason brothers effective antagonists? In what ways do they embody the theme of corporate greed perverting the course of justice?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you are hired as an ethicist for a company like Tidalwaiv. Based on the failures of Project Clair, what is one key “guardrail” or safety protocol you would design for a new AI companion app intended for young users? What would its prim

2. Tidalwaiv is forced to issue a public apology as part of the settlement. If you were writing that statement on behalf of the company, what key points would you include to convey genuine accountability?

3. Brenda Randolph establishes the Rebecca Randolph Center for Technological Oversight. What would you propose as the mission statement for this new organization, and what would you want its first major project or campaign to be?