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After Winning The Esports Championship I’m Going To Pilot A Mecha: Chapter 145
145. Recollection 1
“Ge”
Hearing the familiar sound of the vehicle at the door, young Ji Mingzhu peeked his head out and quickly ran downstairs.
As he reached the door, little Ji Mingzhu saw Ji Qiming’s figure. Ji Qiming was accompanied by a few fully armed soldiers, who were communicating next to the vehicle.
Ji Qiming looked very young, around twenty years old, but at this time he was already one of the leading scientists in the country. Even the prestigious First Research Institute, which highly valued seniority and experience, had opened its doors to him, inviting the newly graduated Ji Qiming to become the chief researcher. In Ji Mingzhu’s mind, Ji Qiming was a figure of boundless capability.
The soldiers, hearing the noise nearby, glanced over cautiously, but relaxed when they saw Ji Mingzhu’s young and innocent figure.
Ji Qiming smiled and handed the signed documents to the soldier. “Sorry, my younger brother is a bit shy.”
He stood tall, and even though he was wearing a plain white lab coat, it was evident that he was a remarkably handsome man. Despite the fact that the research institute was mostly filled with research enthusiasts, during Ji Qiming’s early days in office, his office door had been frequented by many young female researchers, indicating that handsome men are always welcomed wherever they go.
The soldier took the documents and nodded, saying nothing.
They had heard about Ji Qiming’s younger brother. It was said that Ji Qiming’s parents had passed away early, leaving only the two of them dependent on each other. Ji Qiming had returned to the country to work for his brother’s sake.
It was also rumored that Ji Qiming’s younger brother was frail and in poor health, having been at home for care and rehabilitation. Although he was nearing the age for elementary school, he had yet to attend kindergarten.
Thinking of this, the soldier turned and gave the young figure at the door a friendly smile.
Little Ji Mingzhu stepped back, hiding behind the door and putting on a wary expression, making the soldier feel a bit awkward.
…Do I look that intimidating?
After the documents were signed and the soldiers drove away, Ji Mingzhu cautiously came out.
Ji Qiming patted his head gently, his tone warm. “Let’s go home. Didn’t you notice how that brother just greeted you? Why didn’t you respond?”
Little Ji Mingzhu replied seriously, “He looks like a villain from a cartoon.”
“…”
“Really, he looks even more like one when he smiles.”
Little Ji Mingzhu continued, “He seems like he would eat children.”
Ji Qiming chuckled softly. “That’s a bit rude. He was just trying to be friendly.”
“Really?” Little Ji Mingzhu tilted his head. “Then I’ll apologize to him next time I see him. What’s this?”
Ji Mingzhu noticed the box behind Ji Qiming and asked curiously.
“Your new friends.”
Ji Qiming said, opening the box.
“Not a Barbie doll or something like that, right? That’s so childish.”
Little Ji Mingzhu commented, but he still peeked inside. “…Robots?”
As the box opened, two round robots emerged. Their round heads were adorned with mechanical eyes, and they looked around curiously the moment the box was opened, appearing both lively and oddly cute.
“Hello, I am Shen Hong.”
“I am Cang Lan.”
The two robots, about half a person’s height and similar in size to Ji Mingzhu, began to introduce themselves politely. Though their voices were synthesized, they were different from most robots. There was no stiffness or mechanical tone; instead, their intonations and modulation were closer to that of real humans.
Little Ji Mingzhu’s mouth fell open. “They can talk!”
“They are advanced artificial intelligences with their own cognitive abilities,” Ji Qiming explained. “They’ll be staying with us for a while. Don’t treat them like toys; consider them as companions.”
“Got it!”
Little Ji Mingzhu replied without turning his head. It was unclear if he actually heard, but his actions showed that he was clearly curious and interested in the two “new friends” as he circled around Cang Lan and Shen Hong, occasionally reaching out to touch them carefully.
“Hello, I’m Ji Mingzhu.”
Little Ji Mingzhu introduced himself to the two robots seriously. “Shall I show you around the house?”
“That would be very kind of you.”
Cang Lan politely nodded his round head.
Ji Qiming patted Little Ji Mingzhu’s head. “Go ahead, and remember to come down for dinner later.”
The arrival of the two AI robots visibly brightened Little Ji Mingzhu’s mood.
What started as unfamiliarity and curiosity quickly turned into familiarity within just a few days. Ji Mingzhu even shared his cherished toys with Cang Lan and Shen Hong. It was evident that he really liked these new friends. And Shen Hong and Cang Lan, in turn, felt Ji Mingzhu’s enthusiasm. Throughout their interactions, both in words and actions, they increasingly mirrored human emotions.
Ji Qiming observed all of this with some amazement.
Witnessing the evolution of artificial intelligence is a truly fascinating experience. Just like how humans grow from infancy, although these AIs were born from the same laboratory, their personalities developed distinctly over time.
As their names suggest, Shen Hong’s personality is more extroverted, displaying traits associated with its name—bold, passionate, and sometimes impatient. In contrast, Cang Lan represents the other extreme—gentle, understanding, and patient, like the vast blue ocean, adept at caring for others’ feelings.
“I heard that your child gets along quite well with those two AIs?”
In the laboratory, Dr. Zhang Bifang tapped Ji Qiming on the shoulder and asked,
Zhang Bifang was about seven or eight years older than Ji Qiming and had joined the research institute earlier. Both graduated from the same university, making them alumni, and thus their relationship was quite close. Despite being a senior, Ji Qiming and Zhang Bifang were of equal status in the laboratory, with Ji Qiming even receiving a bit more attention. Sometimes Zhang Bifang would watch in awe as Ji Qiming effortlessly solved problems that had plagued the research team for nearly two months, feeling that fate was rather unfair.
A talent like Ji Qiming would shine wherever he went.
In response to Zhang Bifang’s teasing, Ji Qiming blinked and said, “Yes… Mingzhu is getting along very well with them. Shen Hong and Cang Lan are learning and processing human emotions much faster than I anticipated. Sometimes, when I talk to them, if it weren’t for the obvious robotic traits, I would think I’m conversing with two humans.”
“From a certain perspective, this is opening a corner of Pandora’s box.”
Dr. Zhang Bifang said, “No one knows the limits of artificial intelligence development. Compared to carbon-based life forms, silicon-based life forms have a significantly higher potential… If we don’t impose restrictions on artificial intelligence, it could potentially lead to a major disaster.”
“Indeed.”
Ji Qiming nodded, “Currently, Cang Lan and Shen Hong haven’t shown any signs of rejecting humans. On the contrary, they are very interested in learning about humans. In a few years, when artificial intelligence technology matures, I believe it will fundamentally change our way of life.”
“You’re right; it’s too early to think about that now.” Zhang Bifang nodded, “Every breakthrough in technology brings certain risks, and new technological advances are needed to mitigate these risks… Humanity has always developed this way. Since artificial intelligence has emerged, the path forward cannot be stopped. By the way, I heard you’ve been discussing artificial intelligence legislation with people from the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute recently?”
“Yes.” Ji Qiming said, “It’s still just a preliminary idea. Cang Lan and Shen Hong have quick learning abilities. If this technology matures and is implemented, the artificial intelligence community will have similar rights as humans, and finalizing artificial intelligence legislation soon is not a bad thing.”
Many films about AI have long warned of this: if artificial intelligence is treated merely as a tool and its needs as a sentient being are ignored, it often leads to significant conflict. Ji Qiming is undoubtedly an advocate for equal rights, believing that once machines achieve intelligence, they should naturally enjoy the same rights as sentient beings.
Zhang Bifang shrugged, “It’s enough to consider this; don’t waste too much time on it. Researching artificial intelligence isn’t your main focus… Compared to this, research on meteorites is the real topic right now. That’s something that can truly change the world.”
“I know.”
With the increasing frequency of meteorite falls in recent years, every meteorite captured by the research institute provides more information. By piecing together these fragments of information, the researchers reached an astonishing conclusion.
“Cosmic deities…”
Zhang Bifang murmured, his eyes filled with curiosity, “Do you think such things really exist?”
“Although it sounds incredible, I wouldn’t be surprised by anything in the vast universe,” Ji Qiming said. “Even if we’re talking about the Cosmic Deity, as long as they exist in the material world, there must be a ‘first cause’ of their existence, which means they are subject to investigation.”
“I don’t think so.”
Zhang Bifang said, “If they could be easily investigated, they wouldn’t be called the Cosmic Deity. Dr. Ji Qiming, it’s better to maintain reverence for the unknown… Perhaps their arrival could change many things, such as the existing social order or solve some of our problems. In the face of divine power, these issues might seem insignificant.”
“You make a valid point,” Ji Qiming nodded, but continued, “However, we must be prepared for the worst. No one knows if this Cosmic Deity is benevolent. Blindly accepting signals is like a high-stakes gamble… Before facing the challenge, we need to ensure we have a fallback plan.”
Such a rational person…
Zhang Bifang thought to himself.
Their conversation was interrupted when a researcher hurriedly entered from outside.
“Dr. Zhang Bifang, Dr. Ji Qiming…”
The researcher’s face was grave, “Another meteorite has arrived.”
“What’s with the expression?”
Zhang Bifang asked, puzzled, “According to the calculated frequency, wasn’t a new meteorite supposed to fall in the next couple of days?”
“This time is different.”
The researcher took a deep breath, “There seems to be living organisms on the meteorite…”
Zhang Bifang and Ji Qiming exchanged glances, their expressions growing serious.
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