716: Chapter 711 Lithography Machine?

"For example, Su Embroidery. It can completely use AI to deeply learn the needlework of ancient masters, analyzing their force, angle, and thread direction to establish a massive database. This can not only be used to restore antique embroidery but can even assist modern embroiderers in creating entirely new needle techniques and compositions."

"And take silk, for instance. Precision looms controlled by AI algorithms can simulate the complex 'Kesi' (cut silk tapestry) technique of ancient methods, greatly increasing production efficiency while also preserving artistic value."

Shen Yan spoke fluently. His words were clear, organized, and devoid of any wasted breath.

Every point he made precisely hit the pain points and future direction for the development of traditional crafts in modern society.

Inside Tingyuxuan, there was silence.

The smile vanished from Lin Zhiyao's face, replaced by a serious expression mixed with shock and contemplation.

Lin Boyuan's hand, holding the teacup, froze mid-air.

Even the usually aloof Lin Chuxue couldn't help but glance over, her eyes holding a different kind of brilliance as she looked at the man.

They had initially thought Shen Yan was just a young, lucky rich man.

But they never expected that his understanding of this field was actually deeper and more forward-thinking than theirs, the insiders.

After a long moment, Lin Zhiyao finally let out a long breath and clasped his hands respectfully towards Shen Yan.

"Mr. Shen, I have learned a great deal."

At this moment, his attitude held no hint of probing; it was genuine recognition and respect.

With just a few words, Shen Yan had changed the entire Lin family's perception of him.

Shen Yan nodded slightly, maintaining a composed posture, accepting this solemn respect.

"Brother Lin is too kind."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone present.

"These are just some immature ideas; I apologize for amusing you all."

He showed no arrogance or complacency, as if his earth-shattering pronouncements moments ago were just casual remarks in a chat.

This air of effortless calm impressed the Lin family even more than any high-profile display would have.

Lin Boyuan set down his teacup. The base made a slight, dull sound as it contacted the rosewood tabletop.

"Mr. Shen, you are too modest."

The helmsman of the Lin family spoke up for the first time, changing his address from the polite 'Mr. Shen' to a tone carrying a degree of affirmation.

"The idea you just mentioned—AI assisting in restoring antique embroidery, even creating new needle techniques—it's a concept we haven't failed to consider."

He paused, his gaze deep, as if recalling something.

"Our Lin family once invested huge sums to collaborate with several top AI laboratories both domestically and internationally, but the results... were not ideal."

Lin Zhiyao took up his father's point, a hint of helplessness crossing his face.

"Exactly. The AIs from those labs can recognize images and mimic movements, but they cannot grasp the 'spirit' or 'charm'."

"The essence of Su Embroidery lies in the vitality contained within every single stitch and thread, an extension of the embroiderer's emotion and artistic conception. Machines can imitate the form, but they cannot learn the 'soul' within it. What they produce is precise, yet rigid."

This was the core issue.

It was the greatest predicament facing all traditional handicrafts when confronted with modern technology.

Technique can be replicated, but art cannot be mass-produced.

Ms. Su also chimed in softly, her gaze toward Shen Yan filled with inquiry.

"Mr. Shen, you spoke with such certainty just now. Could it be... your technology can solve this problem?"

Liu Hui and Youyou sat quietly beside them. Although they didn't fully grasp the profound technical jargon, Liu Hui could sense that Shen Yan at this moment was exuding an indescribable charm.

It was the radiance stemming from absolute confidence.

All eyes focused on Shen Yan.

The atmosphere in the ancient and elegant Tingyuxuan had unconsciously become solemn.

Shen Yan did not answer directly but asked a counter-question instead.

"Madam Lin, how long does it take to complete a top-tier double-sided embroidery, from conception to finish?"

Ms. Su thought for a moment and replied, "As short as a year, or as long as three to five years, perhaps even longer. And that doesn't count the effort invested in cultivating a qualified embroiderer beforehand."

Shen Yan nodded.

"Then, if there were a tool that could shorten this time tenfold, or even a hundredfold, while ensuring every stitch is infinitely close to a master's standard, how valuable do you think that tool would be?"

His words were like a massive boulder thrown into a calm lake.

Lin Zhiyao's breathing instantly grew ragged.

"Impossible!" he retorted instinctively. "Current robotic arms and image recognition technology simply cannot achieve that precision! The resilience of the thread, the angle of insertion, the slightest difference in force—all lead to vastly different final results."

Shen Yan smiled.

"Brother Lin is referring to the technology currently visible on the market."

"But what if our AI learns 'intention' instead of just needlework techniques?"

"Intention?"

This word caused both Lin Boyuan and Lin Zhiyao to frown.

This had gone beyond the purely technical domain and entered a field that seemed mystical and profound.

"Yes, intention," Shen Yan explained. "When an embroiderer places a needle, what she thinks is not, 'My hand must tilt at a thirty-five-degree angle and pierce with three parts force,' but rather, 'I want this petal to convey the delicate feeling of morning dew dripping.'"

"What my AI must do is learn through massive data to understand the 'intention' of 'delicate feeling' and decompose it into the most perfect physical execution path."

"It learns not the action, but the art itself."

"It is not imitating; it is 'comprehending'."

In Tingyuxuan, one could hear a pin drop.

The faces of the three Lin family members were etched with shock.

This young man was not describing a product; he was describing a creation bordering on the divine.

An AI capable of understanding and executing artistic intent.

If it could truly be realized, this would not be an improvement to traditional crafts; it would be a complete revolution!

Lin Boyuan remained silent for a long time. He picked up his teacup but found the tea had long gone cold.

He had lived most of his life and seen countless business prodigies, heard countless grand blueprints, but none had made him feel so... profoundly stirred, as Shen Yan's few sentences today.

He felt as if he could see the techniques the Lin family had inherited for centuries blooming with unprecedented brilliance in an entirely new dimension.

"Mr. Shen." Lin Zhiyao's voice was somewhat dry as he struggled to steady his emotions, "Is this technology you speak of... mature yet?"

"It is still in the laboratory phase," Shen Yan admitted frankly. "My team just successfully cracked the algorithmic challenge for the core control unit of the lithography machine, and the underlying logic of that algorithm shares common ground with the 'intention learning' I just described."

He casually dropped a bombshell.

The lithography machine!