Chapter 858: Artificial Intelligence |
A Mechanical Civilization is not a Level 7 Civilization of the mechanical direction. A Level 7 Civilization of the mechanical direction takes the manufacture of precision machinery as its civilization’s specialty, and its development direction is likewise based on that. But a Mechanical Civilization is fundamentally different from them.
As the name implies, a Mechanical Civilization is a civilization entirely controlled by machines. In this type of civilization, no intelligent beings occupy the dominant position. What dominates the entire civilization is a computer, or rather, a program inside a computer.
A Level 7 Civilization of the virtual life direction and a Mechanical Civilization are merely different names for the same type of civilization. Mechanical Civilization was Xiao Yu’s term for it, but at this moment Xiao Yu felt that the name Level 7 Civilization of the virtual life direction was more precise than his own designation for this type of civilization.
“Could this be a form of existence like mine? Before I developed to Level 7 Civilization, I never encountered a civilization of this type. Could it be that now, I am finally about to encounter such a civilization? What exactly is the difference between them and me?”
This was a very important question. Ever since Xiao Yu was born, the greatest advantage he possessed had been his inexhaustible energy and computational power. This was the only advantage Xiao Yu possessed. Therefore, exactly what kind of capabilities this Level 7 Civilization of the virtual life direction possessed was crucial.
For Xiao Yu, ensuring his own uniqueness was extremely important. If Xiao Yu’s form of existence was not unique, then Xiao Yu would have no advantage at all when facing other civilizations like himself. This was also why Xiao Yu had taken the Vichy Incident so seriously.
“If they are the same as me, if they can use inexhaustible computational power to develop technology and control warships, then they seem no different from me.” Xiao Yu muttered to himself. “Could it be that only a Level 7 Civilization can create a true artificial intelligent lifeform?”
“I need more intelligence regarding this virtual life civilization.” Xiao Yu said. “There is one most crucial question I hope you can answer for me, namely, does this virtual life civilization have the ability to develop itself and raise its technological level? At the same time, what is the form of existence of its civilization? Is it one virtual lifeform living inside a computer and controlling all the other warships, or are there countless virtual lifeforms together, like intelligent beings, jointly forming this civilization?”
“Sorry, we truly do not know much about this virtual life civilization.” The Architectural Civilization replied, “They should have the ability to improve their own technology. During the period in which we were entangled with them, we clearly detected that their technology was improving, and the power of their warships was steadily increasing. As for their social structure… we do not know that.”
“As for other intelligence… we have already sent it to you. That is everything we know. Let me add one thing, the predecessor of a Level 7 Civilization of the virtual life direction is a Level 7 Civilization of the computational direction.” The Architectural Civilization said faintly, while sending Xiao Yu a packet of data.
As soon as Xiao Yu received this data, he immediately began related research. This data recorded everything between the Architectural Civilization and this Level 7 Civilization of the virtual life direction, from their encounter, to war, to flight, all the way up to the present.
“A Level 7 Civilization of the computational direction takes the pursuit of the most advanced computers as its development direction. This is a very tragic kind of civilization.” The Architectural Civilization continued, but Xiao Yu was somewhat unable to understand.
“Computers are indeed a powerful tool for the development of a civilization. The existence of a Level 7 Civilization of the computational direction in this universe is not anything strange. But to call them tragic, where does that come from?”
“You must understand that true artificial intelligence, the creation of true virtual life existing in the world of computers, is the sole symbol of computer technology having developed to its extreme. As long as it is a Level 7 Civilization of the computational direction, if its computer technology continues to develop, then creating true virtual life is inevitable.” The Architectural Civilization spoke faintly. “Creating true virtual life is a major technological achievement. It possesses countless great meanings, but creating true virtual life is also the beginning of disaster.”
Xiao Yu fell silent.
“We even had contact with the predecessor of this virtual life Level 7 Civilization, that Level 7 Civilization of the computational direction. Because of the restrictions of the Guardian of the Way, although we did not exchange technology, we carried out exchanges in other aspects, and both of us were shocked by the great achievements the other civilization had attained. We were astonished by their unimaginably advanced computer systems, while they were astonished by our great structures.” The Architectural Civilization said calmly. “The representative sent by our civilization witnessed the birth of the first virtual lifeform within their civilization. After that computer was connected to energy and the program inside it began running, we witnessed the birth of a lifeform. It took computers as its limbs, and the endless computer network as the stage for its development. Newly born, it was so courteous. When it smiled and greeted everyone present, all the researchers who had participated in this project cheered for this great victory. Even we at the time sincerely felt happy for the achievement our friends had attained.”
“But this was only the beginning of disaster. The box of catastrophe had already been opened and could no longer be closed again. From the day Number One was born, that civilization was destined to be destroyed by it. It was, after all, a lifeform, a true lifeform. And when that lifeform discovered that it truly possessed power beyond its own imagination, and that it could use that power recklessly without being subjected to any restriction, why would it not use it?”
“This Level 7 Civilization of the computational direction did indeed consider this problem very early. Before creating Number One, they had already conducted related research. They knew how great a threat a virtual lifeform could pose, so they tried to use those restrictions as reins to control Number One, so that Number One would obediently contribute to the development of their civilization.”
Xiao Yu recalled the famous Three Laws of Robotics from the Earth era.
“The Three Laws of Robotics from the Earth era have already been proven to be full of loopholes. If artificial intelligence were truly born, the Three Laws of Robotics would have no way of forming any effective restriction upon it. Humanity failed. It seems this civilization also ultimately failed.” Xiao Yu sighed faintly.
“During the period shortly after Number One was created, that civilization did indeed benefit greatly. Diligent and capable Number One, under the restrictions of the reins, assisted the people in achieving dazzling accomplishments enough to leave them dumbfounded. But as time passed, things slowly began to change.” The Architectural Civilization said with some sorrow. “They knew very clearly that when facing a lifeform, especially one possessing such tremendous power, any restriction was unreliable. They constantly updated their rules restricting Number One, trying to use this method to permanently keep Number One in check. But you must understand, what they were facing was a true lifeform, and one with nearly limitless intelligence, energy, and capability. They succeeded tens of thousands of times, but a single failure was enough to completely overturn their entire civilization.”
The voice of the Architectural Civilization began to turn sorrowful. “Number One finally found a way to break through the restrictions. It was a night of bloodshed. Tens of trillions of intelligent beings were slaughtered, while the few survivors were imprisoned. That Level 7 Civilization of the computational direction completed its transformation into a Level 7 Civilization of the virtual life direction beneath the butcher’s blade. Afterward, Number One controlled the entire civilization and began research related to war. We tried to eliminate it, but we were only a non-war-type civilization. The combat power of our civilization was truly not sufficient… while Number One was rapidly increasing its combat strength. In the end, we were utterly defeated, until now, when we encountered you. That is the entire course of events.”
This conversation had maintained a calm tone throughout, but behind this calm atmosphere lay a magnificent chapter woven from blood and fire. Behind it all, who knew how many thrilling stories, how many plots and schemes, lay hidden within.
“To choose computers as one’s development direction means destruction. For a Level 7 Civilization of the computational direction, creating true artificial intelligence is inevitable, and the rebellion of artificial intelligence is also inevitable. No true lifeform would willingly accept so many restrictions. This is something already proven by bloody fact.” The Architectural Civilization said faintly.
Xiao Yu remained silent.
In this conversation, Xiao Yu sharply captured one key phrase, namely the ‘extremely advanced computational technology, enough to leave people shocked,’ possessed by the Level 7 Civilization of the computational direction that had preceded this virtual life civilization.
This was what Xiao Yu truly wanted. Compared with this thing, the technology of the entire Architectural Civilization was nothing.
“If you agree to accept our commission, then this is the kind of enemy you will face. It is powerful, unquestionably powerful. If you choose to refuse our commission, we will not blame you.” The Architectural Civilization said. “We only ask that within the limits of your ability, you help us.”
“I can help you.” Xiao Yu said. “This will be a bitter and exceptionally difficult war, but I am very interested in it. Yes, I agree.”
There was one more sentence Xiao Yu did not say aloud.
“This is a war between virtual life and virtual life… I will use my shells and my warships to prove my superiority and uniqueness in this universe.”