Ant colony

2137 11 Month 18 Day.

Nine days passed. The "bait project" started for a week, and it was exactly as Σ-Lu expected: nothing.

I ordered the system to synthesize 12239 virtual personalities with the data of 1627 "worms" existing in the Vulnerability Management Bureau and Correction.They have been active on the Internet for a week, but they have not attracted any leads.

This may be because there are too few "baits", which are just a drop in the ocean in the vast network.It may also be that, as Σ-Lu said, although the simulation of the system looks decent on the surface, it lacks a little "flavor" that we cannot perceive.Just like the wild animal specimens placed in the jungle, they are superficial and will not deceive the sensitive sense of smell of real wild animals.

While the progress of "Catching Bugs" has temporarily stagnated, Σ-Lu is gradually handing over her work and preparing to leave.Today, she gave me the task of going to the city council meeting.

The theme of this meeting is about the new version of the system.Starting from January 1 next year, it will be in trial operation in this city for three months, and then officially run globally.

The members of the Municipal Council are the managers of various departments.They can ask the engineers in the data center today to add some functions to the new version of the system.

I went to the confidential meeting room of the municipal council.It is more spacious and more classically decorated.A large mechanical clock said to be made in the 17th century makes a crisp "tick" sound in the corner, and the long oak table is carved with traces of time.

In such an environment, there is a strange sense of isolation.I really enjoy this rare quietness, but most people obviously can't adapt.

In the room, some people blinked in vain, obviously not used to the various information projected without the smart contact lens; Talking about talking, gathering in twos and threes to chat.

I want to laugh a little - these are experts in various fields.Among them are the president of the Society of Behavior and Psychology, the director of the Interpretation Department of the Institute of Genetics, the president of the Neuroscience Research Institute, the director of the Northern Hemisphere Affairs Office, and the head of the Public Opinion Guidance Center...

I suddenly saw a familiar figure.

That person, with long hair coiled elegantly and neatly, revealing a slender neck; with a gentle and subtle smile on his face, he stood quietly in an inconspicuous corner.She looked so dignified now that I almost wondered if I had misidentified someone.However, the moment our eyes met, I still captured the wildness hidden in those eyes, the vigorous vitality like a big cat and a wild rose.

Isn't this the guy I met by the lake? Why is she here?

She also seemed surprised to see me, and walked towards me.

"I didn't expect us to meet again." She smiled and held out her hand to me. "It seems that this time, my identity cannot be kept secret."

I also smiled and held her slender hand: "δ-63080491-Rou, the captain of the first brigade of the Vulnerability Management Bureau."

"Hey, it really is the person that the 'worms' are afraid of." She showed the familiar joking look again. "α-01271435-Han, chief engineer of the data center."

I was slightly surprised—although I guessed that she might be from the data center, I didn't expect her to have such a high position.No wonder she can "train" the system like a toy.

However, I have met people on the municipal council more or less in my work, why have I never met her?

As if seeing my doubts, she took the initiative to explain: "I'm not a member of the municipal committee, and it's the first time I'm here today."

"How?" I was surprised again.The position of the chief engineer of the data center is very important, and it stands to reason that it should be listed in the municipal council.

"What's the point of meeting? I'm not interested in public service, I just want to work on technology quietly. So any work involving public service is left to my colleagues."

She spoke high-soundingly, but I have already seen through her real purpose: for security reasons, members of the municipal committee will have some special restrictions on the authority of the system.If α-Han was a member of the municipal committee, she wouldn't be able to do those weird experiments.

Think about it, if a city manager spends a lot of computing resources every day to study "whether killing some important people will have an impact on society", it would be a terrible thing.

"Oh, what a pity." She sighed suddenly. "I regret now that I turned down the chance to join the municipal council."

"why?"

"I thought there were only some old scholars here, but I missed a little beauty like you."

I was speechless, I didn't expect this guy to dare to flirt in public on such a serious occasion.Thinking of her dignified and modest appearance just now, I almost suspected that she was a schizophrenic.

"It's my first time here too..." I said this sentence incoherently.But she grabbed my arm and said, "Shh, the mayor is here."

I looked up, and saw Mayor Ikuro approaching. Ikuro is a personable and charming elder.She has no children and has devoted her whole life to public services. Today, her social value points have reached more than 100000, and her support rate among citizens in the city is as high as 95%.

With the help of the system, today's social management has become efficient and concise.People no longer need to support a group of bureaucrats who are ineffective, useless, or even harmful to society.The system will manage transportation, water and electricity, production, and population in an orderly manner. For some important issues, it will make suggestions, and then the municipal committee will make decisions.

The mayor is the highest decision maker of the municipal council.

Although there is no such thing as "privilege" in the world anymore, human instinct still retains awe of authority.We all stepped forward to greet the mayor.

The mayor smiled and shook hands with everyone, then motioned for α-Han to stand beside her, and introduced her to everyone personally.

"This is α-01271435-han, the chief engineer of the data center. Today, I invited her to introduce the trial run plan of the new version of the system. If you have any comments, you can also ask her."

People applaud together.I noticed that when everyone looked at α-han, they all showed surprise.Presumably, none of them had ever seen such a young and important person.

We take our seats.I got a paper material in my hand.The mayor first gave us a brief introduction to the situation.Next, α-Han explains the functions of the new system.

"In the past two years, the frequency of malicious attacks on the system has increased by 2.75%, and the harmful behavior of citizens has also shown an upward trend. Although the system has made rapid progress through autonomous learning and can automatically detect most deceitful behavior, we should think: Harmful Why do behaviors increase? How to reduce them at the root? This requires not only the improvement of algorithms, but also some adjustments to the theory and strategy of social management..."

She speaks in a calm and orderly manner, giving people a sense of stability and reliability.That unruly and playful temperament suddenly disappeared without a trace, as if it had never appeared on her.

Amidst the rattling of papers being turned around, I pondered her with great interest, and for a moment I forgot to listen carefully to the key content.

What kind of person is she?It seems to be contemptuous of human beings, but it actually fulfills the important duties of social guardians; under the elegant and stable appearance, it seems to hide a strange restlessness...

A quarrel interrupted my cranky thoughts.I looked around, only to realize that I had already entered the link where the committee members made suggestions.

The ones who are currently arguing fiercely are neuroengineering expert ε-Rei, and director of the Public Opinion Guidance Center ζ-Tian.

"...This won't work. I'm afraid we won't be able to bear the wave of opposition." ζ-Tian was a little excited, "If the wishes of the majority of citizens are violated, social unrest will be triggered, and the damage to the overall interests of society will be more serious than a few extremists. too much!"

what's the situation?I just lost my mind for a few minutes, and I couldn't keep up with their rhythm.

ε-Rei is the associate dean of the School of Neuroengineering.Although I have not dealt with this person directly, I have heard of it.According to people from the Institute of Neuroengineering, she is good in other aspects, but she is very stubborn, and this problem is getting worse with age.

I just heard her say unhurriedly: "The wishes of citizens can be guided. Isn't this the responsibility of your public opinion guidance center? After so many years, our neuroengineering has made so much progress, but we have been unable to obtain it. Lots of data. If citizens were educated in time about how good it would be to hand over neural data to the system, why would they be skeptical now?"

I see. ε-Rei is promoting her set of ideas again: Today, the technology of "reading" part of human brain activity and "writing" some neural information into the brain is relatively mature and widely used.For example, the "blocker" for "love" is a method of "writing" neural information through biochemical means.However, 67% of people around the world still support the 2114 convention "404 City Declaration" and oppose the automatic acquisition of neural data by the system without consent.

In other words, although most people have long been accustomed to giving up the privacy of what they see and hear, social speech, and physical health, they still resist the tentacles of surveillance reaching into their heads.So now, the system can only automatically monitor mental activities with extremely high risk factors such as suicidal thoughts.

Hearing what ε-Rei meant to accuse the Public Opinion Guidance Center of being unfavorable, ζ-Tian immediately retorted: "The reason why people are willing to give up their privacy is for convenience. Everyone uses smart contact lenses because it is convenient." We receive information. Everyone agrees that the system monitors biological data because it allows for more personalized and timely medical treatment. But what benefits will citizens benefit from putting neural data into the system?"

"Humph, it's so convenient, it's just that short-sighted people can't see it." ε-Rei retorted, "In a big way, this can promote the basic theoretical research of brain networking; Crime prevention is a big plus."

Her sharp eyes were looking around for something. "Hey, where's Σ-Lu from the Vulnerability Management Bureau?"

I had no choice but to raise my hand: "The director has something to do, I'm here on her behalf."

"Who are you?" Before I could answer, ε-Rei continued, "Oh, it doesn't matter. This representative of the Vulnerability Management Bureau, tell me, if you can master a large amount of neural data, yes Isn't it easier to 'catch bugs'?"

Before I came, the bureau chief had repeatedly told me to just listen and there was nothing to talk about.In the end, I didn't expect to be called to speak by name. It seems that I can't keep a low profile.

I thought about it and said, "I don't think so."

"What?" ε-Rei seemed very surprised.

"Your current technology doesn't seem to be able to fully interpret human consciousness." I said, "Even if a person is observed to have the consciousness of 'violence', 'violence' and 'killing' cannot be equated; And even if it can be analyzed that a person does have the idea of ​​'killing', it is far from the actual act of killing. Each of us has some violent imaginations every day. If all violent imaginations are detected as abnormalities, it will be unavoidable. It consumes too much computing resources—for example, just now, did you have the idea of ​​beating Director ζ-Tian?"

People laughed. ε-Rei's old face suddenly flushed red.

"Little ghost, what do you know - we will naturally come up with standards for judging abnormalities."

"Well, I believe in your professional ability." I said, "I just want to provide you with some references from my own work experience. I deal with 'worms', and I find it difficult for some 'worms' to think Use some neural data to analyze it. Take... the monitoring of suicide. For some people, the system did not detect their suicidal thoughts, but they really don't want to live."

"These are technical deficiencies, which will be resolved sooner or later." ε-Rei's face darkened.

"Then wait for the solution to be resolved first, and then talk about the application."

"Ha, if you don't give us the data, how can we solve the problem?" ε-Rei said angrily, "Relying on the little bit of data in the Correction Institute and your Vulnerability Management Bureau, and full of abnormal samples, how can we advance research?"

At this time, the mayor who had been watching the fire from the other side finally spoke: "Okay, old Rei, I know that it is not easy for you. But it is obviously impossible to open the monitoring authority of all neural data at once. You also know that the "404 City Declaration" cannot Abolished immediately."

"I didn't say abolish the declaration." ε-Rei shifted the flames of war to the mayor, "Actually, without the citizens knowing..."

"It's too much." The mayor's indifferent words made the whole venue suddenly quiet. ε-Rei also realized her gaffe, and shut her mouth.

"No one should harm the interests of the group for any reason. This is the principle we must uphold." The mayor said word by word, "Have you forgotten the lessons of World War III? Once a few people are allowed to illegally obtain data, What will be the consequences in the end?"

We’ve all learned in history class that certain prewar governments and tech companies collected people’s data without their consent and monopolized it.The consequence of this is that the data that should belong to all mankind has gradually become a tool for a few people to protect their own interests.

The interest groups that have mastered the sharp tools of science and technology have gradually expanded their power to an unprecedented level.The tyrants of the ancient times were afraid of peasant uprising with kitchen knives, the big capitalists of the 20th century were afraid of workers going on strike from the assembly line, and the oligarchy of the 21st century had a panoramic view of the people's every move, and possessed industrial power that the people could not have , so there is no need to worry about any rebellion from the bottom.Unfortunately, selfish desires are endless.These oligarchic groups soon fell into irreconcilable conflicts of interest, which eventually triggered the Third World War, which almost brought all mankind to an end.

Now, all surveillance is recognized by the majority of people.Because people know that submitting data to the system will not be monopolized by a few people, but to bring convenience to themselves.

I believe that sooner or later, people will take the initiative to upload neural data.However, the technology of neuroengineering is far from mature. If it is only for crime prevention, but cannot bring other conveniences to citizens, it is impossible to implement it.

"Okay, let's put this question aside for now." The mayor made a decision, "Let's listen to other departments for suggestions?"

The others spoke one by one.The Northern Hemisphere Office suggested optimizing the sampling plan for water quality in the Northern Hemisphere; the Ministry of Epidemics pointed out that even if the daily recommended diversity index was increased, the clothing tastes of the citizens did not show the obvious differentiation predicted, and they were still excessively convergent. This algorithm may still need to be improved .

The Ministry of Information said that they had discovered a new way of communication—they had already informed me of this: Recently, the use of smell and touch communication to evade system monitoring has become obsolete, and some malicious people have developed a "Smound" "Receptors allow people to combine hearing and smell, like rodents, to feel specific information - which cannot be recorded by the system's existing monitoring channels.

Alas, the Tao is one foot tall, and the devil is ten feet tall.In order to eradicate crime, human beings cannot be eradicated.

I saw α-Han seriously listening to everyone's suggestions, bowing his head to record from time to time.She didn't look sideways, and never took another look at me.This actually made me a little bit lost.

In the end, the committee went through another round of plenary voting and identified 13 functions to be added by the data center in the new system.We finally broke up.

During the chaotic end, I searched for the figure of α-han, only to find that she had left quickly.I was a little disappointed, but I didn't know what I was disappointed - I obviously didn't have anything to say to her.

However, I seem to be inexplicably wanting to see her a few more times.Seeing her unscrupulous smile, I would feel as if the clouds of the rainy season had dissipated, and there was an inexplicable warmth in my heart.

Could it be that, as β-Qiu said, I had a crush on her?Alas, it's no wonder, who can not have a good impression of a person like her?But I still don't want to think too much, firstly, I am not familiar with her, and secondly, it is a busy time recently...

With endless thoughts, I walked into the bathroom.As soon as I entered, I saw that beautiful face in the mirror.

"Hi." She greeted me, lazily undoing her bun, "Yeah, that's disgusting, I don't like having my hair done like this, it looks like I'm ten years older."

Her long hair fell down, looked a little disheveled, and was curled playfully.She tilted her head, arranged her hair casually, and suddenly changed from a solemn and serious young talent back to a lazy and cunning little wild cat.

For some reason, my face felt hot.

"You have to work hard." I bowed my head and walked to the sink to wash my hands. "There is still more than a month to start trial operation, and so many adjustments have to be made."

"It's okay, the main improvement has been completed long ago. For other minor problems, you only need to give the system tasks, and it will adjust itself."

I silently washed my hands that didn't need to be washed, while she reapplied her lipstick in the mirror.After a while, I finally couldn't help peeking at her, only to find that she was also looking at me curiously.

"Hey, is the mayor's desk so dirty? The skin on your hands will be washed off."

I was so embarrassed that I quickly withdrew my hand.

She burst out laughing, as if embarrassing me was one of her great pleasures.

I was a little annoyed, dried my hands, turned around and was about to leave.But she suddenly said, "Hey, you didn't give ε-Rei any face just now, that's pretty impressive."

I stopped in my tracks: "It's her who wants to ask my opinion, I'm just telling the truth."

"Actually, if you don't say anything, no one will agree with her. This is good, she has it all on your head. I just heard her scolding you for not understanding science as she walked."

I was not angry, and said lightly: "I really don't understand her field, I'm just answering the question she asked me—even if I can interpret all the mental activities of the human brain in the future, the elimination of crime is not as optimistic as she thought. "

"why?"

"It is impossible for any technology to eradicate vulnerabilities from the root. To eradicate vulnerabilities, you must eradicate humans."

"Well said! I can provide you with an argument." She smiled, "Are you free in the afternoon? Why don't we have dinner together and we can talk slowly."

I had a bunch of work plans in the afternoon.But looking at her smile, there is only one word in my mind - "yes".

"I'm free." I replied without hesitation.

It occurred to me that this was the first time in eight years that I had left work alone in order to eat with someone else.For a recognized workaholic, it is really a miracle.

Alas, who told her to be α-han?