Super God-Level Top Student
Chapter 989 - 379 Conflict of Interests_2

But indeed, it is just a temporary fix and not a permanent solution. The key is, at that time, Li Tuan could afford to lose money freely, as many investors were optimistic about Li Tuan's future. They truly didn't mind Li Tuan's losses; the critical aspect was seeing market share, which would allow them to describe stories about the future.

In fact, ever since Li Tuan went public, the money invested initially has already been earned back through capital gains.

But now, for investors, Li Tuan's business model has become fixed, which also means that Li Tuan has lost the ability to continue telling stories and has reached the harvest season, making long-term subsidies increasingly unacceptable.

Apart from that, there's really no better way.

After all, once the Wisdom Platform is established, it wouldn't be long before all merchants in Xilin turned to the so-called Smart City platform, which would be awkward for Li Tuan. The nationwide market is interconnected, and countless tourists visiting Xilin might find when opening Li Tuan that they can't locate trustworthy merchants providing services. What would they think?

"I agree with Li's idea, and I think we should quickly collaborate with other platforms to exert pressure on Xilin. The Xilin Smart City platform's blueprint is extensive, and we are certainly not the only ones affected.

Life is nothing more than clothing, food, housing, and transportation. They're going to intervene in all these aspects, and it's impossible that they won't touch housing and transportation banks that offer innate advantages. Next, they are likely to link and launch platforms for real estate self-help transactions, car rentals, etc., and in the near future we must directly face the impact from the other side.

Therefore, during this window period, it's crucial to rally as many allies as possible to speak out for our interests and form a united front. Only by doing so can we possibly resist this disruptive behavior affecting the entire internet business model.

Of course, during this process, we should learn more about the other side's thoughts. Thus, visiting Xilin is essential. Ideally, we should connect with the Xilin Mathematics Research Institute to understand their bottom line and thoughts, which are vital for our subsequent decisions."

The statements made by the two people finally brought a normal atmosphere to the meeting.

Although there aren't many solutions, most focus on subsidy details targeted at Xilin, changes to rewards and penalties rules, and more humane measures to ensure the loyalty of merchants and riders, as well as sending lobbyists to Xilin to explore a way for harmonious coexistence.

However, the true outcome remains uncertain for everyone.

Temporarily yielding some profits, everyone can tolerate that. But for how long must these profits be surrendered? If Xilin's Smart City pilot succeeds and continues to extend to other cities, should we continue conceding benefits? These questions are the most daunting for Li Tuan.

Quickly, someone couldn't help but voice what many hesitated to say due to various concerns.

"All these are defensive strategies, but endless defense, forgive my straightforwardness, is merely the difference between dying slowly and dying quickly. I think we should contemplate whether artificial intelligence is truly suitable for overseeing human clothing, food, housing, and transportation. That is the core of the contradiction.

In fact, I believe everyone knows this isn't just our doubt but the doubt of many scientists worldwide. Global research on artificial intelligence still holds uncertainties, let alone directly allowing AI to manage a city.

I believe these matters require broader discussion. If, in the future, AI truly rebels against humanity while also controlling numerous cities, it would be a disaster for everyone. I reckon we should proactively engage with notable scientists to discuss this issue."

When Roger, the Director of the Li Tuan Business Analysis Committee in attendance at the meeting, said this, the entire meeting went silent.

All eyes focused on the youngest executive in today's meeting.

Naturally, this included Wang Zhuo.

Business is like a battlefield; veteran soldiers are suitable for maintaining the status quo, but truly expanding the frontier requires relying on the young people.

"Roger's idea is good. The application of AI remains highly controversial in the global academic world. There's indeed no precedent in modern human history of AI genuinely intervening in city management. Whether granting AI such extensive authority is indeed worth deliberating.

Thus, I suggest Roger temporarily joins the s-team, and after completing his current assignments, serves as the deputy vice president of strategic development for the group overall, assisting Chen's work while advancing this task. From a scientific standpoint, exploring whether AI should participate in managing human clothing, food, housing, and transportation at this stage. What do you all think?"

No objections were raised, and Wang Zhuo's decision was promptly unanimously approved.

Roger himself didn't expect that by merely speaking candidly about his thoughts, he would directly enter Li Tuan's core layer.

Mind you, the s-team is the core decision-making body of Li Tuan.

Previously, there were only eight members, and after his temporary joining, there became nine. This speed of promotion was indeed so fast; it felt somewhat surreal.

However, after calming down, Roger also realized the risks inherent in this move.

Those sitting in this meeting room are definitely smart individuals; Roger doesn't believe nobody thought of these matters. But everyone tacitly refrained from mentioning anything, indicating there was a reason.

This means directly going up against the currently prevailing AI on the internet, and more severely, potentially confronting the brightest star in the Huaxia academic world. After all, that young big shot is the man behind AI.

Although he rarely speaks publicly and cannot even be found with a public domain social media account, his intimidation is nonetheless quite significant. Especially for the internet industry that prides itself on being a high-tech enterprise, this is even more so.

On the other hand, contemplating all these, Roger instead felt this might indeed be the opportunity he'd been waiting for.

All opportunities come with risks; what's the point of fearing risks on the internet?!

Thus, Roger immediately stated: "Thank you, Wang, I won't disappoint Wang and everyone's trust in me."

...

Meanwhile, at the Xilin Licheng building.

This building was rented when Su Lixing established Xilin Licheng, simply because of its proximity to Xilin University of Technology. Who would have thought that just a year later, Xilin Licheng would directly buy this building.

The decision to buy the building wasn't because Su Lixing was arrogant but rather because he had no choice.

At the time, Xilin Licheng, with the support of Qiao Ze, officially decided to engage in the construction and operation of the Xilin Materials High-tech Base. The district was considering gifting a plot of land within the materials high-tech zone to allow the company to build a headquarters building there.

All kinds of preferential policies were fully extended.

But Su Lixing firmly rejected it.

Su Lixing had his beliefs and didn't want to partake in this. Moreover, companies like Xilin Licheng have a wide range of business operations, but in fact, their primary income source is technology licensing, and they didn't have any special research and development tasks, so they truly didn't need such a large tract of land.

Who would have thought his stance would make the local big shots unsettled.

They felt Xilin Licheng, lacking property in Xilin, harbored thoughts of possibly relocating in the future. Thus, pressure from all levels began to manifest, and eventually, countless lobbyists surrounded Su Lixing, persuading Xilin Licheng to acquire this property.

This building happened to belong to a Xilin state-owned enterprise and had long been mortgaged.

Thus, after some back and forth, Su Lixing bought this building at an extremely favorable price, using an almost interest-free loan. The rental income collected monthly not only covers the interest but also leaves plenty of surplus.

One can only say that the side was so painstakingly scheming to keep Xilin Licheng firmly in Xilin.

However, for Xilin, this business deal certainly wasn't a loss. The company's presence in Xilin brings a siphoning effect that makes everyone smile with glee. Moreover, the largest shareholders of Xilin Licheng are still Qiao Ze and his spouse.

At this moment, Su Lixing is in the top-floor CEO office, hosting visitors from Hangcheng, discussing matters precisely related to the Xilin Smart City platform.

"Su, this time our Xiao Li Group comes with sincerity. Here's our proposal; please take a look."

"Yan, no need to be so courteous. Honestly, the Xilin Smart City project is still under construction, and hasn't even truly begun."

"Haha, Su, when this Smart City project is eventually completed, it'll be too late. Why not take a look at our cooperation proposal first, and then let's discuss the possibility of cooperation, how about it?"

"Alright, I'll take a look now. Please enjoy your tea."

Su Lixing picked up the document placed on the table, feeling quite sentimental, as he seems to have also become a regional business mogul!