Yeah, Im fully into ebooks, but the cost really is BS. I think there is some drama between publishers and amazon that always inflates the prices. Some self published authors have really cheap Ebooks (I loved this book and its sequels and they're only $3-$5 each). So there is a chance the prices may go down at some point if something changes between amazon and publishers.
I actually got into Ebooks while pirating them, so cost wasn't an issue, after awhile i got so used to the convenience of having it on my phone I couldn't go back to print. Then i had a little more spending money and decided buying them was even more convenient.
The Singularity Series by William Hertling
Was barely able to put it down. If you are interested in the possibility we are headed towards a technological singularity this is great hard scifi that paints a plausible, well thought out, and very engaging path towards it and through it.
There's a great book series called Singularity starting with Avagadro Corporation, which features an AI built to read and respond to emails that becomes sentient and escapes the lab. Should be required reading for AI developers :) https://www.amazon.com/Avogadro-Corp-Singularity-Closer-Appears-ebook/dp/B006ACIMQQ?ref_=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=b52d1801-2532-4b08-b81e-10514d91d7ab
I have a four book series about the emergence of artificial intelligence that Wired called "chilling and compelling." It starts with Avogadro Corp: http://www.amazon.com/Avogadro-Corp-Singularity-Closer-Appears-ebook/dp/B006ACIMQQ/
The series spans forty years, and is ideal for people interested in the singularity, the progress of technology and its impact on people and civilization, and is especially well liked by software developers and others in tech, since the protagonists of most of the novels are programmers.
I read a book a while back called Avogadro Corp, which is about ~~Google~~ a fictionalized tech company creating a project that inadvertently becomes self-aware. For what it's worth, I think it's very close to what you're looking for.
Here are all the local Amazon links I could find:
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Avogadro goes into great detail on A.I. designed to do exactly what OP said happened. It's sci-fi and amazing.
See: Avagadro Corp.
I really enjoyed this book, and the follow-up:
http://www.amazon.com/Avogadro-Corp-Singularity-Closer-Appears-ebook/dp/B006ACIMQQ
I'm pretty sure that's how the plot of Avogadro Corp started.
You may like this book.