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"Bang."
After an unknown amount of time, the iron door finally opened. The loud noise made the CEO snap back to reality.
"CEO, what are you thinking about?" The middle-aged white man asked in confusion.
"Huh?
Ah, nothing. "The CEO shook his head and stepped into the door first.
There was a closed elevator inside. After the two entered, the elevator door closed and quickly sank.
The CEO put his hands in his pockets and calmed down. He looked left and right and asked, "When did you change the elevator?"
"A week ago."
"Why didn't I know?"
"The internal funds of the research institute were used, so I didn't inform you.
Why?
Is there a problem with the elevator? "
"No problem, I just feel a little uncomfortable standing inside."
"Then I can get someone to modify it tomorrow or the day after."
"Not for the time being, I don't come here often …"
The two had a seemingly meaningless conversation with each other. Not long after, the elevator stopped and slowly opened to both sides.
The two walked through layers of closed corridors and came to an underground rooftop.
The rooftop was made of transparent glass. Looking down through the glass, one could see that there were layers of large servers inside. Hundreds of staff were performing maintenance.
"Have the shells of the quantum servers been changed?" The CEO lowered his head and looked down. "Why didn't I know about this?"
"Small changes. The internal funds were also used."
"Is the budget very adequate?"
"Yes." The middle-aged white man nodded. "The progress has been very smooth. We didn't spend too much money."
"Once a technology has a breakthrough, the initial development is really too fast."
Staring at the server array under the rooftop, the CEO was silent for a long time. He sighed. "The project was started in 2012, the breakthrough was made in 2018, and the quantum hegemony was achieved in 2019. It has only been three years since then, and the quantum computer has already reached this level."
"It is also because of this that the number 445 was born." The white man spread his hands. "Unfortunately, quantum computers can't be commercialized on a large scale for the time being."
"Why should it be commercialized on a large scale?
First, use it to reap a portion of the benefits, ensure the company's operations and development, establish a leading position, and set industry standards before considering commercialization. "
"This is what the management should study. There is no need to tell me, Mr. CEO."
"Okay, that's the end of the conversation." The CEO nodded and stepped across the rooftop. Without hesitation, he pushed open the door in front of him.
"Creak."
The door opened.
Inside was a pure white hall.
In the middle of the hall, there was a 360-degree spherical screen. On the screen, there were two black dots that looked like eyes staring at the two people outside the door.
The excitement in his chest surged again. The CEO took a deep breath and strode forward. He entered the hall and observed the round screen closely. After a while, he asked, "Are you sure it has reached the level of strong artificial intelligence?"
"Yes." The white man nodded. "After three standard tests and enhanced tests, he passed perfectly.
After ten minutes of trial running, it had reached the top level in chemistry, mathematics, and biological genetic engineering. However, it would take time to reach a higher level.
Because it has consumed all the papers and materials in the academic world. "
"You have to leave out the last two sentences of this paragraph in the board meeting."
"Understood."
Reaching out to touch the black dot of light on the screen, the CEO faintly said, "If... we can get our hands on Transdimensional's UP's library materials, humanity's technological civilization will immediately reach the level we'll reach in a thousand years."
"Perhaps the company can consider cooperating with Transdimensional's UP in the future.
Transdimensional's UP will definitely be very happy with the birth of Strong Artificial Intelligence. "
"… We'll see. That person isn't easy to deal with.
Try to keep a certain distance from him. "
Rubbing his temples, the CEO took a step back and asked, "Have you given it a name yet?"
"Aside from the number 445, there is also a backup name."
"What is it?"
"HAL."
"HAL?
Hal? "The CEO frowned." Heuristied.
"Is it the abbreviation of algorithputer?"
"Yes." The white man nodded. Smiling, he said, "It seems that the CEO likes Clark's' A Space Odyssey 'as well."
"... I don't like it.
The reason I don't like it is because of the HAL in it.
Don't you think it's a little inauspicious? "
"Number 445 is ultimately still a heuristic procedural calculation artificial intelligence. The team believes that it is more reasonable to call it HAL."
"I hope it won't become the real 'HAL.'"
"Impossible." Confident, the white man said, "Humanity will become better because of it.
President, you should hurry up and enter the first central command.
I still need to start the next experiment. "
“ok。”
The CEO nodded. After pondering for a long time, he raised his voice and said, "HAL!"
"Hello, President. How may I be of service?"
"How do you know I am the CEO?"
"HAL knows the identities, positions, personalities, and networks of the world's 3.3 billion people."
"Very good.
Then... "With a glint in his eyes, the CEO said," You know Transdimensional's UP's true identity — "
"President!" Suddenly, goosebumps rose all over the white man's body. Interrupting the CEO, he said, "Don't cause trouble."
Hearing this, the CEO was stunned for a moment. Immediately, he came to a realization and couldn't help but feel a lingering fear. "Thank you. I got a little carried away."
"Hurry up and enter the central command."
"Okay." After adjusting his mood, the CEO said solemnly, "HAL, enter the central command."
Suddenly, the two black dots disappeared, and the round screen turned pure white.
"Beginning input: First, highest priority, protect humanity.
Input complete. Please repeat. "
"Protect humanity," HAL repeated in a shriveled, electronically synthesized voice.
"Repeat again."
"Protect humanity."
"Protect humanity."
"Protect... humanity..."
…
Hiss...
Equator, above the Floating Island:
Chen Yu, who was half-asleep in his chair, suddenly jolted up from his seat. He felt a chill run down his spine.
"Headmaster?
What happened to you? "
"Ugh, nothing."
Tapping on his helmet, Chen Yu waited for his consciousness to return. He then raised his wrist and looked at the time. "It's been almost two hours?
Is the exam over? "
"Not yet. Half of the students haven't finished answering," Professor Li said as he stood on his tiptoes and looked at the square. "But it'll be over soon."
"I'll be leaving first, then. I'll leave the rest to you. I'll return to the castle to prepare for the interview."
"No problem."
"Pa."
Under the surprised gazes of many students, Chen Yu's chair turned into particles and disappeared.
Afterward, Chen Yu soared into the air, flew over the castle's tall walls, and disappeared without a trace.
After entering the castle, Chen Yu first returned to the Headmaster's Tower. He then picked up the script in the study and glanced through it. After reading through half of it, he lamented, "I memorized it all?
Why can't I remember it? "
"Rip."
After shredding the script, Chen Yu removed his protective suit and changed into a light robe. He then made his way to the auditorium at the center of the castle.
Inside the auditorium, the professors had already finished setting up the exam venue. Upon seeing Chen Yu, they all respectfully greeted him.
"Headmaster."
"Hello, Headmaster Wang..."
"Good."
Nodding, Chen Yu sat at the head of the table and said, "Everyone, work harder. Try to finish all the exams in one day. Don't delay my evaluation in a few days."
"Yes, sir!"
At this time, nobody knew that a command that would bring disaster had already started fermenting...