Hard Choices 2

The evening after he was questioned by the Shanghai Cyberspace Administration of China, Lin Yuan uncharacteristically did not work overtime; he waited at his residence early for Zhang Yan to get off work.

After Zhang Yan entered, she took off her sunglasses and mask, and placed her bag on the shoe cabinet by the door.

Her relationship with Lin Yuan was not public, and since Lin Yuan was now a public figure, they had both become accustomed to wearing masks and sunglasses when going out.

Seeing that Lin Yuan had uncharacteristically not worked overtime, Zhang Yan understood; Lin Yuan must have been waiting to discuss the day's events with her. They always had enough tacit agreement between them.

"Have you had dinner? I've already eaten at the office."

"Just had a random grain pancake," Lin Yuan replied casually. "Earlier today, why did you guide me to say that?"

"About the intellectual property part?" Zhang Yan said as she changed clothes. She took off her jacket and put on a loose-fitting pajama. The entire process was done without avoiding Lin Yuan, as they were already familiar enough with each other.

"Yes, why didn't you let me admit that the intellectual property of the AI Administrator Algorithm is legally undefined?"

"My dear senior brother. You always have a bit of a naive streak, especially when facing major issues. Normally, you're very smart and always say I'm too reckless. But at critical moments, you're really not as good as I am," Zhang Yan said, settling onto Lin Yuan's lap, her arms naturally wrapping around his neck.

"Manufacturing industry upgrading is a national policy, AI promoting manufacturing towards intelligent manufacturing is a means, and your algorithm is the carrier. If you admit that the intellectual property of the algorithm is not yet determined and there is still a gray area for manipulation, then would you still have a choice?

Do you still want to use your so-called 'gentleman's agreement' as an excuse?

As long as those words are publicly recorded and enter our internal organizational procedures, then no one can change them, not even my old man.

Senior brother, every country has its own political correctness. You cannot go against the will of a country.

In the face of collective will, there is no 'gentleman's agreement,' only collective interests. My father cannot publicly stand up for you.

Then what would you do?

You would have no room for maneuver except to go back on your promise to Musk. You can't just openly stand on the opposite side of national policy, can you?"

Lin Yuan quickly understood, "I see, I need to be decisive on critical matters."

Zhang Yan continued, "Actually, I don't think you really need to stick to your promise with Musk. I've seen some of his information; he's not exactly a benevolent person. Your promise to him back then was too broad, you could even say it was just a joke.

People shouldn't be bound by jokes they've made."

"Whether he considered it a joke, I don't know. But if I ask myself, at that moment, I did attribute the intellectual property of the algorithm to him. I can't deceive myself."

"Idiot!" Zhang Yan scolded him with an angry laugh. "You're always like this. Because you made a promise to Xia Ye, you just have to marry her, even though she's no longer in the same world as you. It's the same with Musk.

Senior brother, you're very easily targeted this way.

Doesn't 'a gentleman can be deceived by principle' describe someone like you?"

Lin Yuan laughed, "Then what do you want me to be like? Always prioritizing current and future interests, selectively acknowledging past events and promises? What would I become then? I'd become an AI.

Only programs will always seek the optimal solution according to their settings.

The beauty of human beings lies in 'a leopard cannot change its spots.'"

"Alright, alright, I never intended to persuade you." In reality, if Lin Yuan were truly too flexible, Zhang Yan would find him uninteresting. Because most people in this world are like that, Zhang Yan clearly saw Lin Yuan as an exception.

"So what's your plan next? Are you really going to give the algorithm to Musk? With a madman like him, who knows how much trouble he'll cause."

"I've thought about it for a long time, I've been thinking about it ever since I came back from your place. I will definitely hand over the intellectual property of the AI Administrator Algorithm to Musk, but intellectual property doesn't represent much; at most, it means enjoying the economic benefits of the algorithm in the current international division of labor system.

I will make it clear to him when I hand over the algorithm that if the application of the algorithm causes problems for our country, I have the right to intervene. This is like an insurance policy.

It both preserves my promise to him and prevents him from feeling unrestrained.

Fortunately, the subsequent iterations of the algorithm are completely in my hands. Intellectual property can only restrict the distribution of economic benefits, not my thoughts. If I don't cooperate, Musk can't do anything.

Moreover, I've thought of a deeper problem."

Looking at Lin Yuan's deep gaze, Zhang Yan was a little mesmerized, "What is it?"

"If I hand over the algorithm to our own country, that would indeed be a good thing. But... you and I both know that in doing so, the algorithm would be out of my control.

I'm not saying I wouldn't be able to influence the algorithm; in fact, if I don't cooperate, the algorithm's iterative upgrade work won't even begin.

But, my parents, as well as Xia and you, all live here.

I simply cannot withstand any turmoil.

In the face of the iron fist of power, I am nothing more than an ant. I would, in fact, lose control of the algorithm."

Lin Yuan's words resonated with Zhang Yan.

When he spoke of losing control of the algorithm, he wasn't referring to a technical loss of control, but rather that on a worldly level, he would inevitably be controlled by the powerful hand of authority because he and his family were here.

"But giving it to Musk is different. He's a madman, but a madman you can negotiate with. I'm not so disadvantaged in front of him that I'm powerless to resist; he can't just send people here to arrest me.

Moreover, the relationship between me and Musk is actually more advanced than the relationship between me and our country.

I understand Musk somewhat; he's a madman who regards common people as insignificant, he only wants to do what he likes. In his words, only people like him and me are fit to steer the future of humanity.

With Musk, I can at least negotiate and communicate.

But here, I'm just a small shrimp with no choices.

I just want to be myself.

I want to change the world in my own way; I don't want to obey anyone."

Zhang Yan thought for a moment, then finally stroked the back of Lin Yuan's head and said, "Every capable person will eventually grow a rebellious bone here. I even feel now that our country should thank me; at least I'm watching over you, so you don't do anything crazy."

Lin Yuan thought about it and felt that what she said was quite apt.

"Actually, I also have a selfish motive. I really want to see what kind of situation would arise if AI technology were not restricted and was widely applied to ordinary people's lives. You know what? Although I know this could very likely cause disaster, I just can't suppress my curiosity.

But I can't really be like Musk and treat ordinary people as test subjects.

So, I'll give the algorithm to Musk and let him experiment with it in other parts of the world. I really want to see the results of the experiment.

Anyway, the ultimate control of the algorithm is always in my hands; I can influence the progress of the algorithm experiment at any time."