When Zhuo Ya proposed establishing the main network, everyone was stunned.
Sheng Jiang Chen, who considered himself her capable assistant, reacted the most strongly: "Didn't you say we needed to create weapons and research the protective shield first? Why are you suddenly researching artificial intelligence?"
"It's not research, it's construction," she corrected. "Our original plan was artificial intelligence, but due to the alien outbreak, we had to prioritize weapon development. Now, the scope of weapon research can be narrowed. To better utilize the protective shield, we need to build a comprehensive system network."
Sheng Jiang Chen took a moment to process this information, then sighed wearily, "Boss, your thought process jumps around too much. Can you give me a heads-up next time? So I can make arrangements in advance."
"This doesn't require any arrangements," she said, having already spent merit points to acquire the necessary knowledge. "Prepare some computers. Use our self-developed program to connect them based on the information I provide, and leave the rest to me."
"Are you sure? Based on the data you sent, you want to build an almost omnipotent information system capable of independent thought, task processing, and even risk resistance. Are you doing this alone? How long will it take you?"
A system with so many requirements, even with dozens of the world's top computer experts, would take at least ten years. Furthermore, granting it the ability to think independently was something no publicly verifiable success had been achieved yet.
Of course, some smart machine manufacturers had claimed their products could think independently, but those were for profit, and their technology was insufficient, quickly exposed.
Did she just want to build a system that was all talk and no substance?
"If things go smoothly, a week."
Sheng Jiang Chen's eyes widened again.
"Are you joking?"
"Do I look like I have the time to joke with you?" If she had such leisure, she might have done it herself. Why bother with all this trouble?
Sheng Jiang Chen was momentarily speechless and said no more.
"I'll have them prepare as soon as possible. However, if this system is to be made public, it will require official endorsement. Do you have any plans for that?"
"You don't need to worry about that. They are the ones who should be making plans."
Sheng Jiang Chen didn't quite understand the meaning of her words at first.
It wasn't until he learned about the current situation from Sheng Qing Chi, about the sheer number and immense power of the aliens emerging from the rifts, that he understood what she meant.
In just three days, the number of large rifts in the country had increased to 13. Including smaller ones, the total exceeded a hundred. Worldwide, detected rifts quickly surpassed a thousand, turning most places into alien buffets.
And as Luan Yu had said, those creatures possessed strong mimicry abilities, evident from their ability to repeat human speech after hearing it only once. Their imitation and learning capabilities were extremely high.
The plot also involved Zhu Chong Yan transforming into an alien and organizing them for revenge.
Now, all of that had manifested in reality. The aliens emerging from the rifts were individually powerful and large, difficult for ordinary people to deal with. The number of monsters mutated by their influence was even greater. Based on current data, approximately one in every 3,000 people in the country would mutate, a figure that shrunk to around 1,000 globally and was still growing.
Although they were not as strong as humans, they also categorized themselves by strength, with the powerful and intelligent leading them in their struggle against humanity for this piece of land.
In a time of emergency, urgency dictated action, and many things that were important during peacetime, like privacy, became less so.
"Although I have repeated this many times, I must remind you again: once this machine is activated, everyone who inputs information will be monitored by it. It will monitor everyone's actions, exposing any actions that harm the interests of the majority. This includes everyone present, you and me. If we do anything that violates the management regulations, our privacy will be completely exposed to everyone. Are you sure you want to proceed?"
She actually didn't care about so-called privacy.
If not for the gossip that had affected Zhu Chong Yan back then, she wouldn't have minded if their private video circulated online.
However, based on her experience with the main system, perhaps today they would cheer and activate this system, only to feel it infringed upon their privacy tomorrow and want to shut it down.
Of course, this wasn't like their home television, which could be turned on or off at will. In fact, if they lacked the ability to shut it down, it would continue to operate until they could change it or destroy it, unless all networks in this world disappeared.
With disaster looming, many people couldn't afford to worry about other things.
"We have confirmed this before. Ms. Gu, please activate it quickly!"
"Yes! Activate it quickly and then deploy the protective shield!"
"We confirm!"
Zhuo Ya smiled and stepped forward, pressing the button without hesitation.
In the spacious exhibition hall, a giant light screen occupied an entire wall. As Zhuo Ya pressed the switch, the screen slowly lit up, revealing a three-dimensional human projection.
This projection was clearly not a recording but was simulated by something.
"Good morning, everyone. I am honored to descend into your world. I am Number 002. From today onwards, I will serve you according to the regulations you have established, until someone among you can terminate our cooperation. During my work, I will strictly adhere to principles of fairness and justice, safeguarding the interests of everyone. Thank you for your support."
His voice lacked any trace of a robotic tone, sounding like a well-trained personal butler.
Zhuo Ya looked at the stunned crowd. "You can now interact with him. Ask questions, say anything."
As the company's president, Sheng Jiang Chen was the first to stand and set an example. "Hello, Number Two. Could you please broadcast today's weather forecast?"
"The temperature in your area today will be between 6 and 11 degrees Celsius, with a maximum wind force of level three from the northwest. Please dress warmly. Additionally, you are experiencing tonsillitis; you may consider seeking medical attention."
Sheng Jiang Chen: "...You are quite right."
This kind of question required no technical expertise. After he sat down, someone else stood up to ask a question.
Initially, their questions were about common knowledge, things that ordinary robots could also handle.
Until a reporter asked a more challenging one: "Then can you prove why 1 plus 1 equals 2?"
This question spanned millennia. Almost anyone with normal cognitive abilities knew that 1 + 1 = 2, yet no one could provide a precise reason.
The man on the screen finally showed a hint of interest.
"I was created by humans, and all my knowledge comes from humans. Therefore, what I can do is provide an answer by combining your knowledge."