Chapter 45
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Intermission: The Mind of Artificial Intelligence (3)
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#Intermission: The Mind of Artificial Intelligence (3)
Hello, valued customers. Have you been enjoying our Trinity system without any major issues lately?
What? You haven't?
Of course not. I was just saying that. The complaint calls to our Customer Satisfaction Center haven't decreased at all. Honestly... a company has to thrive for the country to thrive, so why are some consumers so desperate to devour businesses? They must lack patriotism.
Oh dear. Don't get excited. This isn't about you all. I said "some" consumers. Some. Sooooome. Korean can be tricky, right?
Anyway, today is the last time we'll be introducing Trinity to you. We'll talk about the final component of the trinity: the autonomous artificial intelligence module.
To put it simply, an autonomous AI is a "complete personality." A self-aware, thinking machine. It's also called a technological singularity in the history of technology. You know, that overused cliché in SF genres. The era where technology creates technology, machines dominate humans, and killer robots from the future come back to assassinate some guy named John, and I have to scream but have no mouth.
The most absurd complaint calls to our Customer Satisfaction Center are like this: AI will destroy humanity, so we need to blow up the post-life insurance central control center. Good lord...
Paranoid folks, rest easy. The things you're worried about won't happen. Because the autonomous AI module is incomplete. It has been until now, and it will be from now on.
When our company won the national project from the post-life insurance corporation to develop AI, the original designers of Trinity dreamed the impossible dream. They wanted to create the world's first perfect AI. To them, the TOM reading module and search-type AI module were just stepping stones. Mere tools to complete the "final module," the true AI.
But here's the thing... if lots of people want to make it but no one's succeeded yet, doesn't that mean there's a good reason?
The original tech team claimed they'd somehow created something like the foundation for autonomous AI. That the "final module" definitely had something human-like in it. But verification was impossible. It was a million light-years from completion.
So they all said the same thing:
"If you just give us a little more time and budget..."
The higher-ups were deeply moved and fired them all. A natural outcome. They had to pay massive penalties for missing the national project's deadline. And there were plenty of other engineers to throw at it.
The new tech team reported: Trinity is definitely incomplete, but even at its current level, it's the world's best AI engine.
The higher-ups replied:
"What? So it's finished."
And thus, post-life insurance launched without a hitch. Happy ending.
I've gone on this long, pointless ramble because even the current system administrator—me—doesn't understand the autonomous module.
How can I explain what I don't know?
It wasn't just me; all my colleagues were the same. It seems to have some function, but we can't tell what it is. We can't remove it either, or the whole engine shuts down. The third module's effects have turned the engine into a state no one can interpret.
Well. Maybe the original designers could. Those guys were honestly amazing. Korea's top geniuses.
What are those geniuses doing now?
No idea. Probably frying chicken or something.
That's the employment contract. To prevent tech leaks, no same-industry jobs for 20 years after resignation. Can't even change nationality during that time.
Some of you might worry if I should be saying this, but it's fine. As long as revenue keeps rising, they won't care what I say. This company's all about the money, and post-life insurance revenue is exploding year after year.
Paradise Group's Virtual Reality Division will continue to do its best to raid your wallets in the future. Thank you.
#Journal, Page 76, Camp Roberts
The number of refugee volunteers has spiked dramatically. Sure, they need the manpower, but I suspect it's also a countermeasure against the "Winter Alliance." Director Min Wangi agreed with me.
Most come from Chinese backgrounds. They were numerous to begin with, but the proportion is suspiciously high. And it's not the "Triads" who dominated the "Black Society" until now—it's mostly people from the "Anryang Merchant Association," "Hepseng Party," and "Zhili Party." Rumor has it Captain Markert's behind it. The situation Ailing feared seems to be becoming reality. For now, it's their problem. But soon it'll be ours too.
#Journal, Page 79, Camp Roberts
Gloomy weather persisted for days. It's a rainy region in winter.
Temperatures kept dropping. Sub-zero dawn chills tormented the refugees.
Colds spread. At first, we isolated the sick; now we isolate the healthy. A single tent packed with patients is commonplace.
Normally, people don't die from colds. Not now. Weakened bodies fell to secondary infections. Antibiotics ran out, and deaths multiplied daily. The army doctor worried it might not be just a cold.
Airdrops prioritized food, then fuel and heating supplies. Meds rarely came. Hard to understand. Meds take up little space. Just cut back on other cargo a bit.
Turns out, they had none to give. Captain Capston told me. East of the blockade, civilians are hoarding meds. He learned it from a call with his friend in Boston.
Regular meds don't work on "Morgellons" anyway. People know that. But fear isn't rational.
The "Winter Alliance" fared better. Better nutrition and hygiene, maybe? Still, I'm worried about Director Min Wangi. I bought as much food as I could from the PX. There were per-person limits, but I get veteran perks. The combat team felt bad. They said they'd chip in when pay comes. Told them not to worry. Staying healthy is the biggest help.
"Pastor Park Taeseon, the prophet, heals the sick through prayer and blessing! Weary brothers bearing heavy loads! Heed the word of salvation!"
The "Full Gospel Church" zealots were as fervent as ever in spreading the gospel today.
It was true they were weirdly healthy. Not a single cold case.
They claimed Pastor Park performed miracles. Drink the holy water he blessed, and even the gravest patient recovers in a day. Holy water in a Protestant church? Seemed odd, but more and more people got swept up in the rumors. Testimonies of miracles grew. The church's influence expanded rapidly.
"Maybe they're mixing antibiotics into the water and calling it holy water?"
Director Jang Yeoncheol's theory. Seemed plausible. Where they get the meds is still a mystery, though.
Either way, results matter to people. Even if it's just drugged water disguised as holy, folks are ready to be fooled. Even the "Winter Alliance" saw a few defectors.
Bad news piled up while securing meds. Had to go farther afield. The entire task force to the state hospital in Atascadero, south of Paso Robles, vanished. Twelve vehicles, over 100 people including refugee volunteers.
Camp leadership was shocked. Officers looked grim whenever they passed. Already short on troops, and many missing were U.S. soldiers.
Couldn't abandon the mission, though.
Atascadero State Hospital was a temporary CDC hub. When West Coast contamination started, it managed 12 cities as a quarantine HQ.
Obviously abandoned now. But supposedly still stocked with tons of meds. Briefing confirmed it straight from the CDC.
The battalion commander ordered me to recon the area with force. Something's there for sure—find out what. Eliminate if possible; rescue survivors even better. Lots of objectives. He laughed, saying it'd be easier than Santa Maria.
Luckily, this wouldn't be the "Winter Alliance" combat team's first mission. Even a dazed battalion commander wouldn't assign rookies something like this. Support from Captain Capston.
Unlike Santa Maria, we'd have vehicles.
It'd be a long trip.
#Omens (1), Camp Roberts
"I have one thing to tell you."
Before heading to Atascadero, Winter stopped by the alliance to say goodbye, and Elder Kang Youngsoon requested a private talk. Away from prying ears. In the quiet spot, the elder wrote the first line.
"Yi Huntae actually has no hearing impairment."
Insight output Yi Huntae's info. Memory fuzzy, so photo blurry, but recognizable. Her profile said one leg bad, deaf.
"What does this mean? He's been faking a disability all this time?"
Winter asked. The elder wrote:
"Yes."
"It was one of our survival strategies."
"People don't lower their voices around the deaf."
Ah. Information acquisition. The moment the disabled elder wrote "deaf," the target was clear. Winter tilted her head.
"I think I know why you're telling me... but I should ask anyway."
"You're right."
"I told you to gather info through the disabled."
"Yi Huntae can eavesdrop on everyone's conversations without suspicion."
"But I couldn't hide this from the commander."
After a moment's thought, Winter said,
"Are you okay with this?"
Simple but weighty question. The elder wrote calmly.
"Liu Bei had virtue, but virtue alone didn't achieve his great cause."
Winter rephrased.
"If it ever gets out, Yi Huntae will face massive resentment. No, people will suspect all disabled folks too? Could lead to harassment. Haven't you considered the risks?"
"The weight of life is equal for all. Just as you risk everything to fight, little commander, so must those below. Disabled or not. Everyone just has different roles."
"Depending on the situation, a disability can become a talent."
The elder had deep thoughts on the disabled's roles. Winter pondered, then nodded.
"Fine. But on one condition."
The elder's eyes asked what. Winter nailed it down.
"If caught, say it was my orders."
She could smooth it over by taking blame. Say it was unavoidable due to drugs or zealot threats. Grumbling, sure, but no open protests. No one dares confront Winter head-on anyway.
But the old woman shook her head.
"Truly grateful words. Taking responsibility is a great leader's virtue. Impressive."
"But no need."
"Yi Huntae has found his purpose in life. Everyone may hate it, but it's ultimately for everyone. Helping you, little commander, who works for all. If just you acknowledge him, he'll be satisfied."
Winter thought again, then sighed.
"Got it. Tell him to always be careful."
"I will. He'll be thrilled."
From her demeanor, Yi Huntae wouldn't approach Winter directly. Minimize suspicion.
Sign language is practically code. Only works among some disabled.
'Can't trust them too much.'
Winter thought. More info sources, the better.
"Then return safely."
The elder bowed demurely. Winter bowed deeper. Respect for age, even if meaningless.
============================ Author's Note ============================
There's this cereal from Pulmuone called muesli.
It's barley and cranberry mixed.
Tasty, but too hard. My jaw's sore after eating.
Decided to boil it.
The result...
Um...
Don't try this at home.
Felt like an indirect refugee camp experience. Even boiling ramyun scraps wasn't this bad...
Couldn't waste food, so forced it down.
Feels like I'm dying.