In a desperate attempt to save their infant son from a fast-spreading pandemic, a couple who works as scientists at an Arizona biosphere designs a computer to raise the boy after their deaths.The computer names the child IAN. Various robots take care of the child at every stage of his development. The child's speech, thoughts, and movements all emulate the robots that have raised himWhen IAN turns 17 his curiosity about the outside world, drives him to escape the confines of the biosphere. He sets out to explore the post-pandemic world and is overcome by the elements. A kindly tribe of survivors, take him in and when he awakes, he must learn to interact with the people living in a society without technology. IAN has a very difficult time trying to fit in with his new community.The tribal chief's daughter tries her best to help him assimilate and during the process they fall in love. Dissension between the elders forces the couple to run away and go back to the biosphere. Unbeknownst to IAN, while in his absence, the A.I. computer missed him. The computer built robots and used them in an attempt to replace IAN. When the tribe follows the couple back to the biosphere, IAN uses technology and the army of replicants to defend the dome.
