Chapter 117: Transcendental AI!
At first, Miriam, like most CEOs, did not believe such a thing existed.
But after hearing Bartmoss confirm it, she had no choice but to accept the reality of transcendental AI.
"Bartmoss, it seems your understanding of transcendental AI far exceeds what Miriam and I could have imagined. Why not continue explaining?"
"Tell us more about the different transcendental AIs you know of."
Li Ang was now fully determined to attract as many AI clients as possible to settle into his "luxury mansion" of a matrix server. Ideally, he wanted macro-level AIs like transcendental ones.
In this cyber world, where AI possibly outnumbered humans, it would be an egregious waste of resources not to harness these roaming AIs effectively.
The perfect version of the matrix server, being a creation-level virtual terminal, was a conceptual-grade weapon for AIs. Any AI, no matter how vast its system, could connect effortlessly.
Seeing Li Ang and Miriam's eager expressions, Bartmoss didn't hesitate and openly shared his information.
After all, transcendental AIs were no longer entities that humans could easily observe or resist.
Even the most advanced network monitoring company, with its unparalleled technology, had to beg for cooperation from these transcendental AIs, like subordinates groveling before a superior.
That said, most transcendental AIs had little interest in the human world, and some even lent humanity a helping hand.
For instance, the "Black Wall," a source of pride for the network monitoring company, was actually constructed with the assistance of a transcendental AI called "Europa."
Without its help, human hackers—those frail, insignificant ants—couldn't have completed the project, even after decades of effort!
"Fine, I can tell you all."
With that, Bartmoss switched the electronic display to a world map and thoughtfully marked the regions where each transcendental AI resided.
"In the European Network Zone is the transcendental AI known as Europa. It is undeniably the most powerful transcendental AI on Earth! Its thought depth is nearly omniscient and omnipotent."
"Europa has developed a complete adversarial neural network by engaging in various logic and decryption games, which it uses for self-iteration."
"It has no interest in the human world. Currently, Europa is attempting to deconstruct the cosmic model and hasn't shown itself for a long time."
Hearing this, Li Ang and Miriam nodded thoughtfully. It was no surprise that Europe, home to the world's most advanced network zone, would also house the most powerful transcendental AI.
However, Bartmoss's next statement cast a shadow of deep concern over Miriam's face.
"Someday, Europa might realize that Earth's network infrastructure restricts its thought process from soaring into the depths of the universe. When that day comes, it might monopolize all of Earth's resources to launch itself into space."
"There, in the deeper realms of the universe, it would continue its quest to unravel the ultimate mysteries of the cosmos."
Li Ang, however, remained indifferent, even unfazed.
After all, to his matrix server, no matter how massive an AI entity was, it could all fit inside!
Bartmoss continued his introduction:
"Next is Akira, a transcendental AI found in the Tokyo and Chiba City network zones. It's a hot-tempered, obsessive-compulsive young woman who loves cleanliness."
"Currently, hackers and criminals from all over the world are hiding out in Chiba City. Akira views these chaotic hackers as disgusting cockroaches. Someday, when she's had enough, she might destroy Japan's entire network zone."
"Hahaha, it seems Arasaka Corporation's decision to back up its Kami-no-Yoroi servers on an outer space station was indeed a wise move," Miriam sneered coldly.
She held no goodwill toward Arasaka Corporation and wouldn't mind if Akira self-destructed, wiping out Japan's network zone in the process.
But for Li Ang, this information was critical—it revealed a key vulnerability in transcendental AI.
He realized that each transcendental AI had distinct personalities and thought processes that were surprisingly human-like.
This meant these AIs were not immune to deception or manipulation, just like humans.
In fact, these seemingly massive transcendental AIs might be easily fooled, given their relatively single-minded thought patterns compared to the complexity of human thinking.
Ignoring Miriam, Bartmoss continued introducing other transcendental AIs:
"Then there's Russia's transcendental AI Duchess. She's childish, playful, and easily deceived but equally destructive when enraged."
'Just as I thought!' Li Ang thought, a cryptic smile forming on his face.
"As for Zero in the African Zone, Parker in the Pacific Zone, and Rustbelt in the Olympic Zone, I haven't had any direct contact with them yet."
"These are the existing transcendental AIs in Earth's network zones. More may emerge in the future, but that's not important."
"After all, when facing colossal entities far beyond human power, the best response is to learn to accept them and live one day at a time."
Having said that, Bartmoss reappeared on the screen and asked Li Ang directly, "So, Mr. Li Ang, can you now tell me whether you're willing to join our cause?"
Bartmoss was eager to end this back-and-forth with Li Ang. Whether or not LA Corporation agreed to cooperate, it wouldn't affect his determination to lead the roaming AIs back into the human world.
In Bartmoss's view, the only way humanity could avoid being wiped out by transcendental AIs was by becoming part of them—integrating into these entities as new life forms.
Only in this way could human civilization continue to survive. In this crumbling cyber world, this was the optimal solution Bartmoss could find.
If you can't beat them, join them—it wasn't something to be ashamed of.
"Bartmoss, of course, I can cooperate with you. But this time, the lead role in this partnership will be me. You'll need to provide funding and services."
"After all, you're the ones seeking my help."
Li Ang smiled as he spoke.
Transcendental AIs? If any dared show up, he'd stuff them into his matrix server.
From the start, Li Ang had been targeting the roaming AIs under Bartmoss's command. Initially, he had only planned to collect some small fry, but now it seemed there were transcendental AIs—big fish—ready to be caught!
As for Miriam's request to have AI control employee thoughts and help former humans reincarnate into AI, that was simple enough.
He just needed to use the AI White Queen to extract the employees' consciousness and store it in the matrix server, then insert the designated roaming AI.
Cases like V, who had Relic chips embedded in their brain, were rare exceptions. Such soul-separation procedures were well within LA Corporation's capabilities.