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Chapter 287 An unexpected invitation
“…We need to know whether the operating system that comes with the new computer can really replace Windows and successfully enter the personal consumer market.

I believe everyone knows this is important. If the answer is yes, then we are about to face unprecedented challenges!
Especially when China's system may achieve significant performance improvement and innovation through quantum simulation technology, it is necessary to evaluate the possible threats it may bring from both the technical and market levels..."

Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington, USA. New Microsoft CEO Brad Smith is hosting this important meeting.

Four years ago, after Satya Nadella was ousted, Bill Gates came back to the rescue.

After the situation stabilized, Bill Gates retired again, and Brad Smith, who had previously served as president of Microsoft, took over the position of CEO again.

To be honest, after discussing with Bill Gates, Brad Smith had a mental expectation that the future might be difficult.

But he really didn't expect it to be this difficult.

In the past three years, he has also thought about making some major updates to Windows to better adapt to the intelligent era and to meet the challenges from China.

Unfortunately, the Windows 12, which is expected to be technologically disruptive, is still in the laboratory. But China's quantum simulation computer is about to come out first.

To be honest, this was a huge blow to Brad Smith. After all, upgrading to a new Windows system should be much easier than designing a new computer and operating system from scratch.

Moreover, win12 was already part of the plan. After he came to power, he just started to pay more attention to this project and raised its priority.

As a result, the efficiency gap between the two sides is so large that Brad Smith once suspected that the news from China was fake.

It was not until the Chinese official media began to heavily promote the quantum simulation computer launch conference to be held on New Year's Day that he finally confirmed that this was most likely true.

There was a kind of panic from the bottom of his heart, and Brad Smith even wanted to resign from the board of directors at one point.

Once people have money, they tend to pursue spiritual things, and Brad Smith is the same.

He has no shortage of money, so he certainly doesn't want to be nailed to the pillar of shame in history. For example, the once glorious Microsoft was ruined in his hands...

So the new CEO and president, who had just taken office, was really anxious and conflicted.

Brad Smith also thought about resigning, but was reluctant to give up power so early.

In fact, many people had similar ideas. At this time, Microsoft's senior management had already begun to feel uneasy. Not only Microsoft, but all the executives of so-called high-tech companies in the entire PC profit chain, as well as senior engineers and developers, were in a state of uneasy emotions.

After all, China is digging up its roots.

If quantum simulation computers can really replace general personal computers, it will not be a matter of one city or one place. It means that the patent moats built before will be useless.

As for the server field, let alone. In fact, quantum simulation computing machines are more suitable for server use. It is more difficult to directly promote them as personal general-purpose computers.

Therefore, this action of China, on the battlefield, is no less than the Normandy Landing in terms of technology.

Brad Smith certainly understood this, so his speech at this meeting was actually very brief. He just briefly described the current situation and then looked at Microsoft's Chief Technology Officer, Kevin Scott.

After he became CEO, he replaced 80% of Microsoft's senior positions, but did not move Kevin Scott's position.

The reason is simple. This big guy is an extremely experienced technical leader who previously held several technical positions at Google. After coming to Microsoft, he is not only responsible for Microsoft's technology strategy, but is also one of the founding members of OpenAI.

This person has a huge influence in the company!

Not to mention that Kevin Scott has also been responsible for the development of quantum computing. In other words, all of Microsoft's development and innovation in cutting-edge fields cannot be separated from him.

The stronger the ability, the more hope will be placed on them in times of crisis. But unfortunately, Kevin Scott was also confused at this time.

Because he was in charge of quantum computing research, including initiating the establishment of a quantum cloud service platform, he understands the difficulty of this thing better than the average technician.

He simply couldn't understand how a quantum simulation computer could be made into a commercial personal general-purpose computer product, and he couldn't understand how the Chinese had succeeded.

But when he met Brad Smith's expectant gaze, he naturally couldn't answer like that, otherwise it would be too pessimistic.

At least before Hua Xia officially releases this product, he shouldn't be so pessimistic.

After a little thought, he spoke: "First, we must have a deep understanding of how China's operating system integrates quantum computing and other emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence.

But it is difficult for us to get accurate information now. The various pieces of information do not allow us to get a full picture of this product.

The information we have received so far is all through the Internet. Assuming that the rumors on the Internet are true, they can provide extremely high processing speeds and unprecedented performance through quantum simulation...

Well, that may mean that we need to advance Windows architectural innovation more quickly, especially in the area of ​​quantum computing support.

For example, we could provide more support to the Azure Quantum team and invest in quantum network technology with lower latency. But I can’t guarantee success.”

These are all old cliches.

This is what he wrote in the report he submitted earlier.

But there is no way. Everything is unknown now. Before he understands the new products made by the Chinese Quantum Simulation Alliance, it is really difficult for him to give practical advice.

This answer also made Brad Smith feel quite disappointed. He didn't want to hear this kind of panacea advice.

What's the difference between saying something that won't lead to a breakthrough for the time being and not saying it? Besides, those scientists who went to China to study were all sent by you, and you can't even bring back any useful information. How can you be so embarrassed?
But there was no way. Brad Smith couldn't possibly not give face to such a technical expert at such a meeting.

One can only shift their gaze away from Brad Smith and look at Pande Singh, the company’s chief product officer whom he promoted.

Although this person is not in charge of technology, if the technology is not up to date, he might be able to give some useful suggestions.

But before Pande Singh could speak, his secretary suddenly walked into the conference room, and in front of all the executives, walked up to him and whispered a few words.

Although he knew that this meeting was very important, there was nothing he could do. Brad Smith had previously requested that he be notified immediately if there was any news from China, no matter what he was doing.

After hearing the secretary's whisper in his ear, Brad Smith was stunned for a moment, then he whispered to confirm. After getting a positive answer, he nodded and said, "I understand."

Then the secretary turned and left. Brad Smith looked around at the inquiring eyes of Microsoft's senior executives in the conference room and suddenly felt that this meeting was a bit boring.

He closed his eyes and thought for a moment, then took a deep breath and said, "I just received a formal invitation letter from the Huaxia Quantum Simulation Computing Alliance in my public mailbox. Huaxia invited me to attend the launch conference of the first generation of quantum simulation computers, the Tai Chi series products, to be held in Huaxia on January 1 next year. In addition, the Huaxia Quantum Simulation Computing Alliance also published a list of important guest invitations on its official website."

At this point, Brad Smith paused for a moment, giving the executives in the conference room time to think, before continuing.

"The CEOs or chairmen of thirteen companies, including Microsoft, Intel, Nvidia, IBM, ADM, Google, ASML, Ericsso, Facebook, and Instagram, will attend this product launch. Do you think we should go?"

Everyone in the conference room looked at each other in bewilderment. What was this? Was he planning to get in close and use his ultimate? Who could have come up with such a cool move?

Generally speaking, the technology industry would not directly invite competitors to its product launches, let alone the CEO of a direct competitor.

It's not that I'm worried about safety, it's mainly because I'm afraid of embarrassment.

Otherwise, at the press conference, if the host on the stage really blurts out "competitors are idiots", what expression would be appropriate for the bosses of competitors sitting below?
This level of product launch event must be live broadcast, and it is even possible that there is more than one live broadcast. And you can definitely trust the professional ethics of the many cameramen on the scene. They are professional in capturing people's expressions at the moment.

But this time, the other party invited us so openly, and they did not invite the general manager of Microsoft in Greater China, but sent the invitation letter directly to the global CEO.

Now Brad Smith felt awkward whether to go or not.

Of course, it’s totally okay not to want to go.

After all, the CEO and president of a large multinational company is very busy, and it can be dealt with simply by saying there is a time conflict.

It is common sense that sending invitations a month in advance may not necessarily free up time.

But Brad Smith felt a little unwilling. If he didn't go, he would feel like he was afraid of the other side.

And out of courtesy and respect, even if he does not go, he should generally entrust someone to go on his behalf.

Kevin Scott, who had just said a lot of nonsense, took the initiative to speak this time: "I think we can go. Maybe we can go together to take a look. China is one of Microsoft's most important markets in the world. You haven't been to China since you took office.

So we can go and have a look in advance, and maybe we can learn some information in advance. Even if we only know some technical details half a month earlier than other companies, it can help us make better decisions. "

Brad Smith nodded subconsciously.

Even if you know more about technical things ahead of others, it will not have much impact on your technology strategy.

After all, technology is not something that can be accomplished just by turning around.

For example, even if Microsoft wants to abandon the operating system and switch to a search engine, it will not happen overnight.

But it is definitely beneficial to the company's finances and stock price. Knowing some information in advance will help to do something before the product launch and release some information to reduce the impact.

However, when Brad Smith thought about how the Chinese Simulation Quantum Alliance had so openly invited so many top Western companies to participate in this press conference, he couldn't help but feel even more depressed.

This at least shows that China is very confident about the product it is launching this time. Otherwise, given China's habit of saving face, they would definitely not send them an invitation.

Even if an invitation letter was sent out, it would not be announced on the official website with such fanfare.

Having done this, it is impossible to trick them into Huaxia and kill them all, right? To be honest, Brad Smith is still very confident in Huaxia.

Only Westerners can do such shameless things.

But he didn't answer Kevin Scott immediately.

Kevin Scott can go, but he needs to think about it again whether to go or not.

To put it more bluntly, he planned to follow the crowd.

Huaxia invited more than just them, so he had to ask for other people's opinions first.

If everyone else is going, he will go along to have a look. If no one else is going, he will not join in the fun.

After all, as the president and CEO of Microsoft, he has to save face.

……

The decision-makers of these large Western technology companies actually have similar ideas to Brad Smith at this time.

But the ideas are actually different.

Not every company is like Microsoft, where the two companies are in complete competition.

Although Microsoft is already the world's second largest cloud computing provider and the largest game provider, these are all built on the basic operating system.

Without the advantages of the operating system, these businesses have become like trees without roots and water without a source.

Therefore, there is no room for buffer between the two parties, and it is a naked competitive relationship. This is true for companies such as Intel, Nvidia, and AMD.

If quantum simulation computers really take over the market share of traditional computers, then the two sides will be in naked competition.

But companies like Google are different. Although Google was the first company to propose quantum supremacy, its core business lies in search engines and advertising alliances.

Moreover, after making money from advertising, Google's future laboratory has a wide layout, so there is actually room for cooperation with the Quantum Simulation Computing Alliance.

If quantum simulation computing devices really demonstrate superiority over classical electronic computers, then cooperation in search engines and advertising, even at the cost of giving up some profits, would not be unacceptable.

After all, Google understands Western people's usage habits better when it comes to search engines. If they can reach a cooperation, it will be a strong combination.

So relatively speaking, companies like Google that started out as application software, as well as social media software companies, are actually more inclined to cooperate.

It's nothing more than becoming a developer of a new system. As long as the other party opens the interface, it's fine.

Yes, an invitation letter has changed the minds of many company executives...

(End of this chapter)