I'm a scientist, why can't I have faith?

"...Statistical prediction is not the same as causal prediction. I believe that the bottleneck of current large-scale models is not the size of the parameters, but their inability to establish a priori causal model of the physical world..."

As words appeared on the screen, Wang Dong's thinking about artificial intelligence continued to deepen.

"...When will machines evolve from simply seeing A and B always appearing together to understanding that A causes B? When will true artificial intelligence be born...?"

With the final punctuation mark typed, a discussion about artificial intelligence was born on Wang Dong's laptop.

Although Wang Dong didn't know the level of his understanding, this discussion should be more than sufficient for communicating with an academician.

In addition to expressing his own views, Wang Dong also raised several appropriate questions.

On the one hand, Wang Dong did have some doubts, and on the other hand, this was also his way of getting the other party to reply.

Only by asking his own questions could Academician Du Fan possibly reply after seeing the email, thus fulfilling the condition for communication as commissioned by Sir Isaac Newton.

It was a clever little trick by Wang Dong, and also a social skill he had learned.

People are often happy to help strangers with small favors.

"Dongzi, what are you doing?"

Gong Zhan got out of bed groggily and said with sleepy eyes.

As soon as Wang Dong returned to his dormitory, he turned on his computer and started typing away furiously, a process that lasted a full hour.

Even Gong Zhan, whose sleep quality is as poor as a dead pig, was still woken up.

Gong Zhan walked behind Wang Dong and tried to open his eyes to see the small print on the screen.

"Artificial intelligence...and causal reasoning? Why did you write this?"

Gong Zhan scratched his head, not understanding why Wang Dong had suddenly decided to write something like this. It didn't resemble a thesis or any assignment given by a teacher.

"Oh, isn't this the same Du Fan, the academician from the Introduction to Artificial Intelligence course, who said we could exchange information via email? I have a few questions I'd like to ask him."

Wang Dong answered in a very serious manner.

"Dongzi, you actually believed that? Academicians are so busy, how could they have time to reply to an undergraduate like you?"

"Why not give it a try? You never know."

Gong Zhan was still trying to persuade Wang Dong not to do such useless work, but before he could finish speaking, Wang Dong had already sent the email.

"Alright, but I advise you to be prepared for it to sink without a trace."

As a good friend, Gong Zhan gave Wang Dong a heads-up beforehand.

After all, what he said made a lot of sense. How could an academician who is extremely busy have time to personally reply to an undergraduate student's email? He doesn't even have time to reply to emails he's working with international bigwigs, let alone Wang Dong.

However, it didn't matter to Wang Dong. If it sank without a trace, so be it. He could just send another one.

There will always be an email he'll open, no matter what his mood is.

Even replying with a few insults would be fine, although doing so might harass the academician, but Wang Dong really needs to fulfill Sir Isaac Newton's commission.

I believe that people who are elected as academicians have a magnanimous spirit.

"Oh, by the way, have you checked the class group chat?"

"A new notification was sent, but I didn't receive one?"

Wang Dong opened the pinned Yenching University 2023 Yuanpei Class group chat, which was completely quiet and empty.

"No news either?"

"It's not this class group, it's the high school group."

Wang Dong then noticed a red dot in the upper left corner of the Tianhai No.1 Middle School class group chat, and clicking on it revealed 99+.

"Quite a few people from our class are coming to Yenching University. The old class representative suggested we get together this weekend. Are you coming, Dongzi?"

Wang Dong thought about it and realized he didn't have anything planned for the weekend, so he decided to take a stroll around the capital, Yanjing.

Just as he was about to agree, a private message popped up.

[Shangguan Sihan: Do you want to go out and have fun this weekend?]

It was Shangguan Sihan. The two of them often met during the summer vacation, but mostly at various parties.

Since arriving in Yanjing, although they both work at Yenching University, the two of them haven't had much contact.

[Wang Dong: Where to?]

[Shangguan Sihan: Of course it's Antianmen and the Forbidden City! I feel like it'd be boring to go alone, do you want to come along?]

Wang Dong hesitated upon seeing the invitation extended to him.

Compared to class reunions where they chat and share their experiences since the start of the semester in a restaurant, Wang Dong prefers visiting famous historical sites.

But isn't it a bit inappropriate to have just him and Shangguan Sihan together?

[Shangguan Sihan: Are you going or not? If not, I'll find someone else.]

Faced with Shangguan Sihan's urging, Wang Dong finally agreed.

[Wang Dong: Sure, should we invite Gong Zhan along?]

Wang Dong didn't think it mattered if it was just a man and a woman alone, but he was worried that the other person might have some ideas, so he asked her about it.

[Shangguan Sihan: ? You can do that if you want.]

It seems that Shangguan Sihan did not want Gong Zhan to participate, and she did not object to the two of them going out alone.

"Dongzi, the group is waiting for the statistics, are you going or not?"

Wang Dong came to his senses and then remembered Gong Zhan, who had been left out in the cold.

"Oh, I won't go, I have plans."

"Okay, I've replied for you."

You know what, Gong Zhan is actually a pretty good person.

With the weekend invitation, Wang Dong suddenly felt full of passion for the next few days.

Although it's not much different from my daily life, my enthusiasm for it suddenly increased for some reason.

The weekend is fast approaching.

Wang Dong and Gong Zhan left home early in the morning, but their destinations were different.

Gong Zhan was heading to the neighboring Huaqing University. Today's team building activity at Tianhai No. 1 Middle School mainly involved touring the Huaqing campus. After all, Huaqing is really big. Not to mention the visiting students from Yenching University, even the local students haven't fully explored the campus.

Wang Dong headed straight for the east gate of Yenching University, where he had arranged to meet Shangguan Sihan.

Wang Dong is a very punctual person; he arrived at the agreed location ten minutes earlier than the scheduled time.

Today he was wearing a simple black T-shirt. Although it was already autumn in Yanjing, it was still quite hot and humid.

Good morning, Wang Dong.

Shangguan Sihan suddenly appeared from nowhere, patted Wang Dong on the shoulder, and startled him.

Although it had only been a few weeks since they last met, Shangguan Sihan already gave off a very different vibe.

You can tell she dressed up carefully today.

The appropriate light makeup enhanced her already outstanding appearance, and the fitted white dress, with her fair arms exposed to the air, made her look like a spring scene if you weren't careful.

Wang Dong was momentarily at a loss as to where to focus his attention.

After exchanging brief greetings, the two entered the subway passage.

Take Line 4, then transfer to Line 1, and finally get off at Antianmen East Station.