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Old Tian wasn't the only one shocked by Qiao Yu's words. Zheng Xiwen, who was standing next to him, was also stunned by what he said.

Even if he had no interest in science, years of exposure to it had taught Zheng Xiwen something.

This also allowed him to understand some things when Qiao Yu was communicating with those engineers.

Of course, one can only understand a portion of it. For example, Qiao Yu has always been very dissatisfied with the progress of research on general artificial intelligence.

Only today did he learn why Qiao Yu was dissatisfied.

How can we enable machines to understand consciousness, intention, and value through mathematics?
Listen, is this human language?

所以乔喻不但要去追问1+1为什么等于2，还要去追问1+1怎么去表达人类情感？
It sounds like a science fiction story.

Of course, Zheng Xiwen wouldn't interrupt at this point.

He paused briefly while pouring the tea, then nodded to Elder Tian with a normal expression before leaving Qiao Yu's office.

However, this time he couldn't suppress his curiosity, so after returning to the next cubicle, he turned on his computer and began to observe what the two were talking about.

……

After Zheng Xiwen left, Tian Yanzhen had roughly processed Qiao Yu's question and then slowly said, "A very interesting idea."

After speaking, Tian Yanzhen paused, thought for a long time, and then asked, "So you mean to use mathematics to represent things like intention and value?"
These things are vague even in the human brain, so how can you use the certainty of mathematics to define them?

Bayesian inference? Utility function? Or your generalized modal function? Even your Georg algebraic geometry couldn't solve this problem, right?
If computers or machines truly understand intentions and values, then genuine self-awareness will emerge!

I don't think this is a good idea, especially before it's reviewed by a science ethics committee!

Tian Yanzhen said seriously.

Zheng Xiwen, who was observing from the sidelines, also felt that this matter needed to be taken seriously.

Although he doesn't believe that if artificial intelligence develops consciousness, something like Skynet from the movies will actually be created.

But the idea of ​​making a machine aware of its own consciousness always felt strange to him.

At this moment, Qiao Yu also began to explain: "No, no, no, you misunderstood. What I meant was to enable mathematics to express consciousness, not to give machines consciousness."

Okay, while I have had that thought, it's still difficult given the current situation. Those engineers are unlikely to understand what I mean.

I think they've fallen into a mindset of habit. They're only thinking about how to optimize the machine to learn all those things, which I think is wrong.

For example, the reward function in reinforcement learning and the utility function in decision theory are all external assignments.

It's nothing more than presupposing a static, quantifiable value standard. But the true intention and value emerge and evolve dynamically from within.

Therefore, this requires a deeper level of mathematical structure. Think about it, if we can solve this problem, mathematics will truly break through its original constraints.

When Qiao Yu said these words with a sincere expression, Zheng Xiwen could clearly sense that Tian Yanzhen had been persuaded.

Can mathematics break through its original constraints?
Zheng Xiwen thought this was nonsense.

The fact is, math is already difficult enough. Not to mention university, even high school math has been reformed in recent years, requiring students to learn more and more challenging material.

There's no other way. Now that I'm a junior, I'm going to be exposed to Giovanni algebraic geometry. But to learn Giovanni algebraic geometry, I need to have a deep understanding of many of the abstract mathematical concepts in the early stages.

It even involves touching upon some aspects of the Langlands conjecture, even if only a small part. But for undergraduates, this is extremely difficult.

In short, all major universities have now officially begun to urge prospective students to carefully consider their choice of mathematics as a major.

Zheng Xiwen found it hard to imagine what would happen if mathematics suddenly advanced so rapidly.

Will future students who choose mathematics go crazy?

Sure enough, after a long pause, Tian Yanzhen asked hesitantly, "If I understand correctly, do you mean to achieve the precise capture of meaning by mathematics?"

Qiao Yu nodded firmly and said, "You can understand it that way, Director Tian. Not only that, I always remember your teachings and want to carry forward mathematics."

Therefore, I prefer to define this idea as enabling mathematics to become a bridge connecting the objective world and the world of human values ​​in the future.

Of course, the outward manifestation of this change is probably the emergence of general-purpose artificial intelligence! In the future, our artificial intelligence will no longer be that kind of stupid search and aggregation tool.

Or perhaps a specialist who only knows how to play chess. Rather, it's someone with insights in various fields, possessing a stream of consciousness that surpasses the average social moral standard.

Their value will be anchored in mainstream social values. Their purpose is to maintain and promote the development of human civilization on Earth.

Qiao Yu said firmly.

Unfortunately, research of this caliber requires review by an academic ethics committee.

There is still internal debate about the development of artificial intelligence, or rather, which direction artificial intelligence should take.

Thanks to the fact that many AI-themed science fiction movies feature mainframe systems that frequently seek to exterminate humanity, many people have always maintained an extremely cautious attitude towards the development of artificial intelligence.

But this was clearly not within Qiao Yu's consideration.

"Hmm..." Tian Yanzhen wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Qiao Yu again.

“I know you still have concerns, but actually I’ve been thinking about this issue for a long time ever since you assigned me this task.”

Admittedly, the so-called Three Laws of Robotics are certainly unreliable. Even with the addition of the Zero Law, there are still serious logical flaws.

But these are not the real issues. I hope that mathematics will endow machines not with cold, hard rules, but with the dynamic ability to find ethically optimal solutions in continuously changing situations.

Even the general artificial intelligence we ultimately design may not actually generate consciousness.

Ethical decision-making can be constrained by algebra, value measurement can be integrated into differential geometric models, and topological conditions can be applied to the convergence of consciousness requirements...

In other words, the general artificial intelligence we create is a highly similar intelligent agent with consciousness. But in reality, it will not possess self-awareness.

It uses mathematics to quantify complex concepts of good and evil, and its decisions will not sacrifice the interests of innocent others to maximize the so-called overall interests of humanity.

Like a nuclear bomb, it is merely a tool, a tool that propels the rapid development of various scientific fields. It is neither inherently good nor evil.

The future of humanity will ultimately be decided by humanity itself. What we need to do, or are doing, is simply to promote the normal and healthy progress of science.

……

Zheng Xiwen, who had been observing from the sidelines, could tell from Tian Yan's expression that she had been completely convinced by Qiao Yu.

After all, reading between the lines has always been Zheng Xiwen's forte.

Well, of course he knew why Qiao Yu went to so much trouble to persuade Tian Yanzhen. It wasn't that he took the initiative to come to her, but that he deliberately created various opportunities for Tian Yanzhen to come to him.

Qiao Yu had actually discussed this issue with him.

Because of many science fiction movies about artificial intelligence, in which intelligent agents often want to destroy the well-being of all mankind, many people have always been opposed to the research of artificial intelligence.

I always felt that this thing, in the end, would definitely pose a major threat to the survival of human civilization. Obviously, Qiao Yu didn't think so.

In Qiao Yu's view, any technological development is merely a tool. The key is how to use that tool.

It's like how nuclear bombs were invented specifically to eliminate human forces.

A standard vessel for equalizing all beings.

From the perspective of human civilization, this thing is definitely not a good thing.

But at least for now, it is precisely because of the existence of this thing that the world has enjoyed the longest period of relative peace.

In fact, general artificial intelligence is the same; in Qiao Yu's definition, it is still a tool.

How tools are used has always been in human hands. This is certainly beneficial, at least for the current stage of human civilization.

To truly conquer space, interstellar voyages that often take several years or even more than a decade are virtually impossible without the assistance of artificial intelligence.

Therefore, everything is done in order to serve the needs.

To be honest, Zheng Xiwen didn't really understand these things. He just felt that the related research was getting increasingly bizarre...

Based on the information he obtained, it seems that at least those engineers working on intelligent engineering don't really understand the theories proposed by Qiao Yu.

What are algebraic value manifolds, fiber bundle ethical connections, and convergence conditions for cognitive consciousness?

Zheng Xiwen could understand this. After all, he was the person who had the most contact with Qiao Yu's manuscripts, without exception.

Every day, the manuscripts of Qiao Yu collected by the staff are compiled here.

Then decide which items need to be kept and which can be destroyed.

As for the reasoning process in the manuscript, well, Zheng Xiwen firmly believed that 99% of people in the world would not understand it.

He had witnessed it firsthand; just to demonstrate the dynamic equation of cultural infiltration accompanied by value evolution, he wrote hundreds of pages of manuscript.

Based on Zheng Xiwen's current understanding of the global mathematics community, it may take reviewers more than half a year to give their comments on a cutting-edge paper of over a hundred pages.

The only difference is that Qiao Yu has never published a paper on this topic.

Of course, Qiao Yu no longer needs to publish papers.

Every month, someone tries to use Qiao Yu's name to add to the author list of a paper, hoping to embellish their own work...

So Zheng Xiwen doesn't actually know whether Qiao Yu's research is a success or a failure.

To be honest, he was also a little intimidated by the general artificial intelligence that Qiao Yu hoped to research.

However, it's normal for people to feel a sense of awe towards things they don't understand.

But Qiao Yu was certain that his research direction was correct and very beneficial, and Zheng Xiwen felt that perhaps Qiao Yu was right!

After all, Qiao Yu didn't miss it.

In short, Zheng Xiwen felt very conflicted at this moment.

They hoped that Tian Yanzhen would find the flaws in Qiao Yu's explanation and make Qiao Yu give up this crazy idea.

She also felt that it might be a good thing if Qiao Yu could persuade Tian Yanzhen.

In particular, Qiao Yu's plan envisions general-purpose artificial intelligence as a crucial tool to assist humanity in conquering the stars in the future.

To be honest, which ambitious man doesn't yearn for the stars and the sea?
……

"Can't we just make breakthroughs in mathematics?" Sure enough, after hesitating for a long time, Tian Yanzhen said this.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Xiwen knew that the big shot had been completely persuaded.

"If a mathematical framework can truly be designed, it will certainly be applied. Even if I don't push it forward, there will definitely be a group of people who will try to do so later!"

"Instead of leaving these things to future generations, shouldn't you trust me more? At least I know where the bottom line is! You agree, Director Tian!"

Qiao Yu shrugged and said.

Everyone else fully trusts the wisdom of future generations, but perhaps only Qiao Yu cares about the bottom line of future generations...

However, it was these words that made Tian Yanzhen sigh and then nod.

"Alright! Since you're so confident, then do your best. Although I'm old now and can't manage many things, there are still some things I can say. I'll make a few calls when I get back."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Yu did not smile, but instead promised more seriously, "Don't worry, Director Tian! I promise to deliver the most perfect result for you, just like before!"

Tian Yanzhen smiled, then asked seriously, "Are you sure you won't let the machine develop self-awareness?"

Qiao Yu nodded firmly: "The most beautiful thing about mathematics is its rigor! We need to define a dynamic and uncertain framework through very definite rigor. I personally think that this is not a breeding ground for consciousness, but simply mathematical innovation."

Although there was no direct answer, it sounded quite reasonable.

Tian Yanzhen didn't say anything more, but stood up, and before leaving, she patted Qiao Yu's shoulder meaningfully...

Zheng Xiwen didn't turn off the recording of the live stream and walked out of the room.

For important visitors like Mr. Tian, ​​he had to personally escort them out.

Of course, the two didn't talk much, just exchanged a few polite greetings.

Back in Qiao Yu's office, before he could even speak, Qiao Yu started talking to himself.

"Looking back now, Professor Xue really helped me a lot! It's definitely good to choose a good mentor. Even though my mentor has retired, he can still help me with things."

Zheng Xiwen remained silent...

Although Qiao Yu's words were correct, something still felt off.

Of course, Mr. Tian's influence is undeniable.

Under the management of this old man and young man—no, also the old man from Tsinghua University—the current generation of leaders in mathematical and physical research, especially the big names in mathematics, have good relationships with the Tsinghua and Peking University schools.

The status of Professor Yuan and Professor Tian among the older generation of scientific researchers is undeniable.

That's certainly not ideal. But, well, the flaws don't overshadow the merits...

At least the leading researchers in this school of thought did not pass on their expertise through bloodlines, and they have truly achieved remarkable results that have attracted worldwide attention.

So everyone had no choice but to accept it.

Zheng Xiwen genuinely had no idea how things would develop in the future… (End of Chapter)