Rebirth 08: Rise from copycat phones

Chapter 589 The Fruits of the Thousand Talents Program!
November has arrived, and the sweltering heat in Shenzhen has finally come to an end, bringing with it a rare cool autumn breeze.

On the 18th floor of Building E, the headquarters of Zhiyun Group, in the ZhiBrain Project Department, Xu Shenxue finally saw the first ZhiBrain 6 server that had been assembled!
With a hint of excitement, Fu Zhengyang said to Xu Shenxue, "We used the Smart Brain 6 chip as the core to build this Smart Brain server."

"When paired with Yun ZNOS, the dedicated operating system for the ZhiBrain jointly developed by ZhiBrain's software division and the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, it can fully unleash the performance of the ZhiBrain 6 server!"

"Mr. Xu, please take a look. This is the basic artificial intelligence we are running directly on this Brain 6 server. Its running speed is quite good, especially its performance in the field of low-precision computing is outstanding!"

Xu Shenxue looked at the unassuming Smart Brain 6 in front of him and sighed a little... This was the first time he had seen a prototype of the Smart Brain 6 server.

This Smart Brain 6 prototype looks like a large suitcase; it's actually quite small and only has a simple black paint job on its surface.

The cover hasn't been installed yet, and you can see the densely packed mainframe circuitry and various components inside! The most eye-catching features are the eight huge motherboards and the large water-cooling system mounted on them, which is used to cool the massive Smart Brain 6 integrated chip.

One hundred and twenty chips are integrated together using 3D packaging technology. Although the power consumption is low, it still requires dedicated water cooling to support long-term use as a server.

At this moment, Fu Zhengyang continued, "Our single Smart Brain 6 server has eight Smart Brain 6 integrated chips. Each integrated chip uses the most advanced second-generation 3D packaging technology of Zhiyun Microelectronics to ensure the best communication bandwidth between chips. Each integrated chip encapsulates one hundred and twenty Smart Brain 6 basic chips. The entire server integrates a total of nine hundred and sixty Smart Brain 6 basic chips!"

"Although it integrates a large number of chips, the power consumption of this server is very low due to the low power consumption characteristics of the neuromorphic chip, with a full power of only 2,500 watts!"

"When performing specific low-precision calculations and other tasks, the energy efficiency ratio is very high, reaching 180 TOPS per watt!"

Excellent low-precision computing capabilities and extremely low power consumption are among the most prominent technical advantages of neuromorphic computing, and also one of the core reasons why Zhiyun Group has invested heavily in developing this type of computing.

Fu Zhengyang said, "This server uses the proprietary neuromorphic algorithm architecture developed by Professor Lin Andong. When performing neuromorphic calculations, the system can process more than 50 quadrillion 8-bit synaptic operations and 40 quadrillion neuron operations per second. Running the ninth-generation neural network algorithm developed by the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, the computing power can reach 250 petaops under 8-bit operations, while the computing power of our human brain is about 1,000 petaops."

"Although the efficiency of our AI Brain 6 system is still far inferior to that of the human brain, after all, the power consumption of the human brain is only about 20 watts, while we would need at least four such servers, about 10,000 watts, to achieve similar performance!"

"But this is still a huge technological breakthrough for us in the field of neuromorphic computing!"

"This means that we can, to some extent, mimic the structure of a biological brain to perform low-precision calculations, thereby meeting the computational needs of a large number of specific tasks in the field of artificial intelligence, such as fuzzy computing!"

"With the combination of our superconducting quantum computer and the excellent high-precision computing capabilities of traditional GPUs, it is possible for us to use this integrated computing power system to train even better artificial intelligence and run it on this system."

Fu Zhengyang continued, "Our next technological breakthrough is to integrate these three computing systems into a comprehensive computing system, with each system working together to maximize their performance."

"However, integrating the three systems is quite challenging. Currently, the project team has mobilized approximately one thousand senior core technical personnel from multiple departments within the company through the company's confidential project development channels to work on this project!"

"In addition to Professor Lin Andong personally overseeing the overall framework design and core underlying algorithm design of the project, more than ten W14-level scientists from the company have also participated, responsible for technology research and development in different fields!"

"Their R&D team is in no way inferior to the integration of superconducting quantum computers and traditional GPUs in the past!"

"We are fully confident that we can build this comprehensive computing power system!"

"After all, we already have the core hardware; what's lacking is system integration and software, and in these areas, we have very strong technical reserves!"

Hearing Fu Zhengyang's confident words, Xu Shenxue nodded slightly: "It's good that you have confidence!"

Although the comprehensive computing power system has not yet been completed, the current Brain 6 server has been developed, and it is possible to demonstrate some single systems. Xu Shenxue watched the staff give a demonstration!

Of course, there was nothing particularly amazing about this demonstration... it was just a simple low-precision calculation test, nothing special.

After all, computers can't actually show you the electrons working in the chip and the whole system... At most, you can only look at the operating system interface and some technical parameters displayed by the testing software.

After encouraging the technical staff, Xu Shenxue and Fu Zhengyang left the Smart Brain Project Team on the 18th floor.

"Old Fu, you need to keep a close eye on things from now on. This intelligent computing system is quite important. Coordinate with all departments and try to get it done as soon as possible. I'm looking forward to a surprise from you!"

Fu Zhengyang said, "Chairman Xu, don't worry. Although I'm not very technically skilled, I've done a lot of project management. The project is running very well now. I expect to be able to come up with a preliminary solution next year, and the year after next, at the latest, we should be able to build the first prototype!"

"Even if you don't believe me, Mr. Xu, you should believe Professor Lin!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Shenxue chuckled... "That's really true!"

The core of the Brain Project is not Fu Zhengyang, the nominal project leader, but Professor Lin Andong, a top scientist... Lin Andong is the core and soul of the entire project!
Because the technical difficulties of the entire smart brain project are not actually in the hardware... In the hardware field, Intel is actually doing quite well. Although the technology is far behind that of Zhiyun Group, the performance of their neuromorphic chips is estimated to be more than ten times lower. But poor performance does not mean it is unusable. At worst, we can just stack up the hardware.

Intel's neuromorphic computing project has stalled because they only know how to work on hardware... and lack the ability to fully utilize the unique performance of neuromorphic chips.

Simply put, they have the chips, but they don't know how to use them...

As for Zhiyun Group, it has a group of extraordinary scientists in its Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, as well as Professor Lin Andong, a top scientist with superhuman abilities. They are able to tailor a complete set of algorithm architecture solutions for neuromorphic computing, and even integrate it into existing quantum computers and traditional GPU computing systems.

This allows for the perfect utilization of the characteristics of neuromorphic computing and its integration into the field of artificial intelligence within the Zhiyun Group.

This seemingly software-related matter is actually more important...

It's all about playing with algorithms... and going deeper, it's actually about playing with mathematics!

In the field of mathematics, the mathematicians at the AI ​​Research Institute of Zhiyun Group are already among the best in the world. In the last two Fields Medals, which are the Nobel Prizes of mathematics, four mathematicians from Zhiyun Group have won the prizes, accounting for half of the awards.

Well, Lin Andong wasn't even among the award recipients... because many of Lin Andong's research results couldn't be made public; they were all top secrets. Many of his successes involved core, underlying mathematical theories in the field of artificial intelligence.

Even the research findings of these four award-winning mathematicians were not their main research areas... The research results of their main research areas cannot be made public and are classified as top-level secrets. Some of them involve the underlying mathematical theories of artificial intelligence, while others involve the basic theories of many other cutting-edge technologies!

Many of the cutting-edge technologies of Zhiyun Group are based on these fundamental mathematical theories to varying degrees.

Publishing the research results would essentially be equivalent to revealing the technical routes of various cutting-edge technologies of the Zhiyun Group... so it's impossible to disclose them.

Even if Zhiyun Group wanted to disclose it, it couldn't... Many of its achievements are state secrets and have been applied to many defense fields.

Last year, the radar project on the X1 fighter jet achieved a technological breakthrough, developing a new airborne radar with explosive performance and excellent detection capabilities against stealth targets...

When this radar was tested, the small radar installed at the nose of the X1 fighter jet, relying solely on its own airborne radar without the assistance of an early warning aircraft, was able to directly lock onto a certain fifth-generation stealth fighter currently in service in China at a distance of more than 200 kilometers.

It's not just about detection, it's about locking on... the kind of thing that can directly guide air-to-air missiles on an ultra-long-range mission and then hit the target.

Its performance is absolutely amazing!
Besides using the most advanced hardware in China and the world, the most impressive thing about this radar is its algorithm.

This algorithm utilizes research findings from a mathematician at the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, and it can suppress radar clutter interference to an astonishing degree.

There's no way to publish these research findings... Publishing them would be tantamount to revealing our own core defense technology!

So the research results of these four mathematicians who won the award were actually just some amateur research they did casually. The mathematical results they produced seemed pretty impressive at first glance, but for a long time they had no practical application potential and could be published at will.

To put it bluntly: the results are impressive, but ultimately useless...

Zhiyun Group boasts a plethora of cutting-edge technologies and conducts extensive research in various fields; the average person knows that Zhiyun Group's technology is impressive. In the eyes of the general public, Zhiyun Group's semiconductor technology is remarkable, its robots and virtual reality devices are also impressive, and it's even working on low-Earth orbit satellite networks.

A little deeper and you'll see that our artificial intelligence technology is far ahead of the rest of the world!

However, these are just superficial application results. In fact, the most impressive thing about Zhiyun Group is the field of mathematics!
In mathematics, a field that purely tests one's intellect, Xu Shenxue's research system can achieve its greatest effect...

Top mathematicians, coupled with access to research opportunities, can unleash abilities far exceeding those of humankind... and the results are outstanding.

If you're playing with materials, you might have to consider some mystical factors, but when it comes to math, you don't need any mystical knowledge; a good brain is enough.

This is also why Zhiyun Group has developed so rapidly in multiple fields... because a large number of mathematical theoretical achievements that are far ahead of their time and have even exceeded the limits of the human brain are constantly emerging!
——————

After reviewing the Smart Brain project, Xu Shenxue returned to Liuhe Investment's office in Building A. At that moment, Luo Yinian also arrived at Xu Shenxue's office.

Ten years have passed, and Luo Yinian is now over fifty years old. However, his great success in his career has allowed him to maintain a very good mental state. He is always wearing a suit and tie, looking like a top business elite.

However, this is also a common phenomenon at Liuhe Investment Co., Ltd.... Unlike the many technology companies under Zhiyun Group, which have a large number of technical personnel, their attire is more casual, and there are even no dress requirements for technical personnel, as long as it is not excessive.

Liuhe Investment, on the other hand, is a purely investment and operations company. All its employees are in management or clerical positions in the financial field, and there are no technical research and development personnel.

Therefore, the attire is more formal. Basically, the men are all wearing suits, white shirts, ties, and vests, while the women also dress in a business office style.

After entering the office, Luo Yinian said to Xu Shenxue, "Chairman Xu, the third selection for the first batch of the Thousand Talents Program has been completed. After various assessments, sixteen people have been shortlisted!"

Xu Shenxue took Luo Yinian's report and glanced at it briefly. Luo Yinian continued, "These sixteen people mainly cover the fields of pure mathematics, applied mathematics, semiconductors, theoretical physics, and materials science!"

"The detailed list and resumes are already in the report!"

"In our third round of selection, we provided the first 100 candidates with a corresponding research and development environment, including funding, equipment, and personnel support. Ultimately, the 16 candidates who achieved the best results were selected!"

"In particular, Dr. Wang Dehai's research achievements in the field of controlled nuclear fusion have been highly praised by Professor Wang Binyao. Currently, Dr. Wang Dehai's team is assisting Professor Wang Binyao in the research work of the core projects of the controlled nuclear fusion project!"

Xu Shenxue flipped to Dr. Wang Dehai's profile... Like many of his top research talents, his resume was dazzling.

He participated in a physics competition and was recommended for direct admission to Tsinghua and Peking Universities for a PhD program in nuclear science and engineering. He studied and conducted research under renowned senior nuclear physics professors in China and was selected for the first batch of Liuhe Investment's Thousand Talents Program, receiving generous free funding!
Last year, at the age of only 25, he obtained a doctoral degree in nuclear science. Moreover, while still in school, he also pursued a doctoral degree in applied mathematics. He is a very impressive double doctoral degree holder.

After graduating last year, he directly joined Xinghai Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Fairy Mountain Holdings, and devoted himself to the research and development of controlled nuclear fusion projects... And it's not just him, in fact, several of his senior classmates are also in Xinghai Energy.

Even his mentor undertook Xinghai Energy Technology's research projects under the guise of university-enterprise cooperation.

Xinghai Energy Technology, the company behind the controlled nuclear fusion project... Although nominally managed by Xu Shenxue, it is actually supported by a large number of enterprises, research institutes, and top universities, just like the lithography machine project back then.

Xinghai Energy Technology is only responsible for the overall design plan!

Many key core technologies are provided by the parent company, Fairy Mountain Holdings, while a large number of other technologies in the field of nuclear engineering are provided by relevant institutions and research institutes.

To put it simply, this whole thing was basically Xu Shenxue taking the lead... and then pulling a bunch of people together to do it.

Given the unique nature of this project, it's no surprise that Dr. Wang Dehai joined after graduation... This involves controlled nuclear fusion, which is incredibly attractive to top talents in the field of nuclear physics!

He, his senior classmates, and even their mentor all got involved.

After Dr. Wang Dehai joined Xinghai Energy and began participating in core research areas, he was also included in the second batch of 100 people in the first batch of the Thousand Talents Program of Liuhe Investment.

According to the training plan of the Thousand Talents Program, a special project team was set up for him, a large amount of funding was allocated, and a number of auxiliary researchers were assigned to him... and most importantly, Xu Shenxue got him an A-level research quota.

The research environment is excellent, funding is plentiful, and there is a full range of personnel and equipment... plus the huge bonus of an A-level research position.

Wang Dehai's research progressed rapidly, and he and his team achieved tremendous results, overcoming numerous technical challenges. His research achievements were highly praised by Professor Wang Binyao, the chief designer of the controlled nuclear fusion project!
Xu Shenxue carefully reviewed his resume... and thought to himself, "I've struck gold again!"
Among the R&D personnel in the numerous companies under his command, there are countless PhDs from top universities, and many have impressive resumes. However, only a handful have received high praise from Wang Binyao…

Wang Binyao, despite being a homebody who likes to hang out with girl group members and enjoys watching anime dances, has a rather complicated private life... which doesn't quite fit the stereotypical image of a top scientist.

But they are truly incredibly capable, and they have excellent taste.

Xu Shenxue had countless scientists under his command, but the only one who could truly win Wang Binyao's respect was Professor Lin Andong. Professor Wang Binyao had said to Xu Shenxue more than once: "Lin Andong is a freak..."

As for Fang Datong, the regular user of the third SS-level scientific research quota, Wang Binyao didn't think much of him. In his words, "He's just someone who works on optical materials and lithography machines. He's using the materials research theory and materials that I developed. What's he showing off for?"
Wang Binyao, however, greatly admired the young man Wang Dehai, believing him to be highly capable, exceptionally talented, and possessing immense potential!
If Wang Dehai hadn't already graduated with a doctorate, entered the workforce, and been considered a successful individual, Wang Binyao would have even wanted to take him on as a student... not the kind of doctoral student who was assigned to him, but a student in the truest sense!

Xu Shenxue would certainly not overlook such high praise from Professor Wang Binyao!
After carefully reviewing his resume, Xu Shenxue said, "Since he is so capable, let's upgrade his support resources to S level and look forward to him achieving even more results!"

The support resources for different talents in the Thousand Talents Program are also divided into different levels, starting from the initial C level, then B level, then A level, and then S level. The support resources for different levels are different.

Luo Yinian responded, "I understand. I'll give a few instructions to Fairy Mountain Holdings later. They should set personal benefits and security according to the W13 technical level, guarantee a minimum of one billion US dollars in direct R&D funding per year, and give priority to the allocation of group talent and resources!"

In the various companies under Xu Shenxue's management, the W13 technical level is already the treatment level of a top-notch scientist. The next level up is the W14 level, which has very few people, only a few dozen!

As for the W15 level, there are currently only three: Lin Andong, who works in mathematics; Wang Binyao, who works in materials theory; and Fang Datong, who works in the field of optical materials and precision equipment.

At the W13 level, talking about salary and such becomes meaningless... Their salaries are extremely high, and if they make some successful research with commercial potential, they can also receive a certain amount of bonuses.

Strictly speaking, top talents of this caliber don't even have a place to spend money on a daily basis... because the group directly provides all kinds of living expenses for free!

These days, top talents are always paid very high salaries!

It's not just Zhiyun Group that does this; foreign companies like Google and Facebook are doing similar things.

In the first half of the year, Facebook poached several top experts in the field of artificial intelligence, offering compensation packages, including cash and stock options, that could reach hundreds of millions of dollars... which is quite extravagant.

However, the S-level resource support and personal benefits are secondary. What's really important is the guaranteed R&D funding of one billion US dollars, plus the priority allocation of the group's talent and resources.

For a simple example, if Wang Dehai needs a certain piece of equipment for a project in the future, then the various companies under Xu Shenxue will set up a special project team to develop that equipment specifically for him...

Wang Dehai didn't care how many talents needed to be mobilized or how many resources were required!

All he wanted to do was make a request... and then the entire Xu Group would mobilize its manpower and resources to fulfill it as much as possible!

Of course, there's nothing we can do about some ridiculous requests that are simply impossible to fulfill!

The billion dollars in funding that is publicly disclosed is only the direct funding... much of the conglomerate's resources have not yet been reflected in this billion dollars.

This is the level of resource support provided by the S-level program for the Thousand Talents Program!
This is because Xu Shenxue's talent selection project is aimed at selecting fixed users of SS-level scientific research positions... and the goal is to create another superhuman scientist!
How many cutting-edge technologies will emerge in the future, and what kind of products they will become, will largely depend on how successful this talent development program is!
Therefore, Xu Shenxue has always been very willing to invest resources in the Thousand Talents Program!
And now, the first fruit is about to ripen!

(End of this chapter)