Delayed Passion: Miss Lynch's Unrequited Love-Chapter 71: Up to No Good

"I don’t quite agree with Foreman Lynch on this one."

Connor Warren from Department Two was the first to stand up and object. Seeing it was him, Thea Lynch raised an eyebrow with interest.

Foreman Chandler gasped, sounding the alarm; this old fox surely didn’t have good intentions again.

Thea Lynch looked at him silently, indicating for him to go ahead and speak.

"Our company, Stratus, has always focused on chip technology; I believe we’re fully capable when it comes to robotics. What is the main component supporting artificial intelligence in robots? Of course, it’s our chips."

"I think Stratus can definitely establish a production line. We’ve already surpassed many companies domestically in chip technology; aren’t the remaining steps just a piece of cake?"

"Foreman Warren is confident," Thea chuckled as soon as his words fell. "Of course, it’s unclear whether you’re confident in Stratus or in yourself."

Connor Warren had learned his lesson from a big loss last time and chose not to clash head-on with Thea Lynch.

However, he clearly didn’t want Thea Lynch to feel too smug either.

"Foreman Lynch, the way you put it, of course, I have confidence in our company. The robot market is booming right now. Although robots can be used in many scenarios, many products on the market still have significant disadvantages. Isn’t this a golden opportunity?"

"What do you say, Foreman Lynch?" Connor asked with a smile.

Thea Lynch smiled as well, "Foreman Warren makes a good point. But given our current technology, from which aspect are you attempting to make a breakthrough? The robot market is vast; which type do you intend to focus on?"

"The basic types of robots are already everywhere in the market."

Connor Warren: "That’s something for the future. However, I suggest we could invest in developing a type of companion robot with independent thinking."

"Targeting empty-nesters, single, unmarried individuals, children, etc., they all need companionship. Our robots can replace their family members. With programmed inputs, they can become the role they need, be it a partner, child, or parent."

"Independent thinking?" Thea Lynch frowned.

"Yes, able to communicate like a normal human and do anything. In the future, this type of robot could even replace low-level service personnel, reducing cheap labor. This is marketable because they won’t be the as cold and indifferent robots commonly seen in the market."

"Are you crazy?" Thea’s smile faded, showing dissatisfaction with his words, "Robots can never have their own consciousness. They are not living beings."

"The emergence of robots has only one purpose: to assist humans and serve them. Can they still be called robots after having independent thoughts?"

"Moreover, is it really cheap labor that should be replaced? If all low-level service jobs disappear, how will those without other skills or qualifications survive? Will they work for robots?"

"If we truly overcome this challenge in the future and first replace low-level service personnel, what happens when these robots develop independent consciousnesses? Would they still willingly allow us to control their lives?

Once out of control, who will they eventually replace? You? Me? Or all of humanity?"

"Human civilization’s progress has never relied on chips, but on human hearts."

"While developing artificial intelligence chips, we aim to provide convenient lifestyles for humans, maximizing happiness. It can upgrade and update any function, but it must not have independent consciousness."

Someone across the room chuckled, "Foreman Lynch, aren’t you underestimating yourself? While service personnel being replaced is possible, how could AI replace us?"

Thea Lynch: "Today’s AI can already edit scripts, create art and poetry, write lyrics and music, and more. Although these functions are not yet perfect, it’s only a matter of time."

"So once they have independent consciousness, if they can replace one human, it won’t be long before they replace you and me."

She took a deep breath, pulling the conversation back, "The idea of companion robots is good, but such robots have been around for some time. Robots on the market now already have the cognitive abilities of young children."

Connor instinctively wanted to argue, but the deputy general manager coughed lightly to interrupt the verbal exchange.

"Alright, alright."

"Both Foremen Lynch and Warren have valid points, but indeed, we humans cannot let AI replace us."

"The reason we’re discussing this now is because the batch of basic robots we’ve collaborated on with Zenith is soon to be released. So, we wanted to hear everyone’s opinions."

"For the time being, our company has no plans to shift focus to robot production. We’ll still focus on chips."

Glancing in the deputy general direction, Thea Lynch withdrew her gaze and focused back on her computer screen without speaking further.

The advent and development of AI bring both good and bad for humans. No one can be certain whether future technology could truly lead to the disaster of robots ruling the Earth. However, in this regard, nearly all developers share a unified view, not hoping to see this scenario. Therefore, while advancing, all developers are also working to prevent this danger from occurring.

——

Upon leaving the meeting room, Thea Lynch saw a WeChat message.

Ian Preston had replied to her twenty minutes ago.

"Looks good."

The brief three words, just from the text, seemed perfunctory.

However, considering it was from Ian Preston, it made more sense.

Thea Lynch typed single-handedly on her phone while holding her laptop, taking a while to compose a complete sentence: "Where are you now, Third Brother? At home or the office? I’ll send someone over."

Ian Preston: "I’m heading back to Coronet tonight."

Not in Coronet...

Thea Lynch stared blankly at the message for a few seconds, "Shall I send it to your office first? What’s your assistant’s phone number, or could you forward me their WeChat?"

After sending the message, Thea, along with Foreman Chandler and a few others, exited the elevator.

Upon entering the office, Ian Preston replied: "Are you busy tonight?"

Unrelated to her question. Hesitating, she responded with a ’not busy.’

These days, without much to do, she went to and from work as usual, and with her cold not fully recovered, she lacked the energy for overtime.

Ian Preston: "See you tonight."

"..."

Seeing these three words, Thea frowned slightly.

Upon reconsideration, returning it in person seemed appropriate; she didn’t argue with him. "Where’s the location?"

"I’ll have someone pick you up from work at Stratus."

"Okay."

At six in the evening, Thea Lynch exited the office building, and a driver from The Preston Family approached her.

"Good evening, Miss Lynch."

"Good evening. Isn’t Third Brother here?" It was just her and the driver in the car.

"Mr. Preston just landed, so he sent me to pick you up first."

"Where to?"

"Oakhaven Bay," the driver paused before adding, "Mr. Preston’s residence."