78 Test? (2/2)

”No, there will only be more casualties.” A troubled smile appeared on Jiang Chen's face.

Wang Dehai's gaze bored into him.

Since this elder was asking him, it meant that it was not the worst scenario. From the looks of things, even the top had not managed to reach a consensus yet. Too many parties were involved in this. There was no need to talk about whether it was feasible for artificial intelligence to replace soldiers; how many PLA would be discharged? How many people would want to shut his mouth?

Even foreign agents would target him.

Cold sweat began to drench Jiang Chen's shirt as he thought about the possible repercussions.

”Since Uncle Wang mentioned bloodshed, may I ask, does this mean our country is going into war soon?”

”Of course. There are always some fools who want to take action.” Wang Dehai raised his eyebrows but explained anyway.

”Then Uncle, if a cheap, effective, and powerful weapon is introduced, how would this change the current situation?” Jiang Chen carefully said.

”An arms race? That’s based on whether the technological capabilities are the same.” Wang Dehai dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand.

”So the question is,” he said with a troubled smile. ”But I don’t have it. Like how I explained at the press conference, Future 1.0 can answer questions logically and given permission from users, operate fundamental phone functions. To give an analogy, Windows 7 is effective, but you don’t expect it to control a PC as well as robots, right?”

”Could you not make any adjustments? For example, include a fire control system.” Wang Dehai persisted, reluctant to give up.

”I don’t have any understanding of firearms. I would have to start from scratch to gain any understanding. Also, from a practical standpoint, does the country need a scientist now, or a possible ‘Bill Gates’ who will lead the industry for the next ten years?” Jiang Chen gazed seriously into Wang Dehai’s eyes.

Wang Dehai shouldn’t have been pushing this hard as the developer team was supposedly overseas.

As he spoke, Jiang Chen was also planning in his mind, going so far as to think that if the authority were to take action, then he would drop everything and run overseas. There was still four hundred million USD in his Swiss bank account. He could start over from scratch again anywhere.

Wang Dehai also stared at Jiang Chen.

But soon, his fierce gaze disappeared, and he took a sip of his tea with a smile on his face.

”You and I have the same understanding. Don’t be so anxious.”

Jiang Chen let out a breath of relief. To be honest, he was reluctant to leave unless he was forced to.

”I won’t lie to you—we have always been researching artificial intelligence. The other countries are doing the same. It’s not a major project, but we have quite a large budget for it. It’s just that we haven’t had any results yet.” Wang Dehai looked meaningfully at Jiang Chen. ”Some people even said that you should voluntarily give out this technology. Do you know what I said?”

Jiang Chen thought for a moment before he smiled. ”Uncle Wang must have thought further than them.”

Wang Dehai laughed.

”You’re quite clever. I told them, you guys are all old and stubborn! If we did that, who would dare to reveal new technology here? You’re pushing all of the talent away!”

Before he finished his sentence, Jiang Chen knew.

Even if they controlled the person in headquarters, with the development team based overseas, if they were pushed away to unfriendly nations, wasn’t that providing them with a more advanced technology? What could they do? If they didn’t have exclusive possession of the technology, what was the point of it?

”Thank you,” Jiang Chen said with a peculiar expression. There was nothing else for him to say.

He didn't understand Wang Dehai's intention. Friendliness? Who was he representing? Or was he returning the favor?

”You don’t need to thank me. I’m not the only one supporting you.l The old guy from the Zhou family was more anxious than me.” He sipped the tea again and looked at Jiang Chen. ”His family is responsible for military artificial intelligence project with a budget of five hundred million a year.”

Jiang Chen immediately understood.

Just as he suspected, even the top level had not reached a consensus. Or perhaps a better way to put it was that collectively, they were unified, but when it touched their own cake, the situation became much more complex.

Or else, the authority would not have waited for him to finish the press conference. The moment Future 1.0 was released, trouble would have ensued.

Once it came into the world’s spotlight, it would be too costly to work from the shadows again. It was related to the country’s attitude; they were already having difficulty retaining talent. If they proceeded with the plan, they would be chasing away the talents.

The key now was not to be stronger, but to become more stable.

”I’ll ask only one more question. What’s the value of Future 1.0 in the military industry? And be truthful.” Wang Dehai locked onto Jiang Chen’s eyes. In his aged gaze, there was less kindness and more ferocity.

[It’s not the right time to go into the military. There are too many personal interests attached to it.]

Thoughts flashed through his mind as he firmly answered the powerful authority figure, ”Zero.”

Wang Dehai nodded, a smile appearing on his face.

”Then, as the general secretary of Wanghai City, I hope you are able to contribute substantially to the city’s economic development! I also wish to see Future Technology significantly benefit the lives of the people and do even greater things!”

With a genuine smile, he answered, ”Of course!”

[Is he hinting at me to not overreach the limits of civil usage?]

[Looks like Wang Dehai was not trying to convince me, but rather test me. The Wang and Zhou families probably wear the same pants….]

Thinking about this point, he was not afraid, but he still felt a chill run down his spine.

He originally had the ambition to take Future Technology to the military field, but now it seemed as though he had been overzealous.

[Did Wang Dehai help me?]

Of course, since the Zhou family did not go after him right away.

But would he have repaid Jiang Chen’s favor if the interests of the Wang and Zhou families had been on the line? Probably not, since then it was no longer a personal issue. If Jiang Chen showed the slightest interest in military, or if Future 1.0 had the possibility of encroaching into the field….

Wang Dehai would not do anything, but the Zhou family would not let him walk free either.

At that time, they would threaten him into giving up the technology before getting rid of him. Or, they would get rid of him right away without even asking for the technology.

It would of course result in Jiang Chen’s escape, but he would have a hard time returning home again.

Would it be beneficial for the country?

If they truly cared, then they would not have been so greedy.

All of the smart people were in politics.

Throughout history, the motivated and the honest died on the battlefield, the knowledgeable avoided politics, and the intelligence belonged in the forbidden city.

It was better for the simple to stay away from the intelligent.

Jiang Chen didn’t reveal any of his thoughts. As soon as he left, he inhaled deeply.

He suddenly realized that the past few days had been more tiring than living in the apocalypse.

”Why do I tire myself out? Am I missing the purpose here?” Jiang Chen mocked himself as he shook his head.

Regardless of whether he thought too much or not, he didn’t consider Wang Dehai to be reliable.

Favors were like bills. Once used, it was gone. But it was almost more complex than that since items had a set price; at least you knew how much remained.

The only good news was that Future 1.0 would not receive too much hindrance from regulations; this danger faded in its infancy.