The literary era since 1979

"Not yet."

Fangyan shook his head and took a sip of Arctic Ocean.

"This……"

Hearing this, Yang Xiao, Yao Haijun and others all showed regret and disappointment on their faces.

Fang Yan smiled and said, "There is no work at the moment, but there is more than one way to make this convention more brilliant. You should still remember the question Asimov raised at the award ceremony at the last World Science Fiction Convention?"

"remember."

Yao Haijun said without hesitation, if there really are alien civilizations in the universe, then where are they?
"Asimov's question sparked a heated discussion at the conference, and many novel theories on the Fermi Paradox were proposed."

Yang Xiao said: "Especially the 'Dark Forest' theory you mentioned, which was used as inspiration to write the Three-Body series."

"Right. The exchanges and interactions at the World Science Fiction Convention do require science fiction works worth discussing, but we also cannot lack science fiction literature topics worth thinking about and studying." Fang Yan glanced at them, "Have you thought about what topics you want to bring up for discussion at the convention?"

“We actually discussed this.”

Yang Xiao said that computers are developing rapidly nowadays and have unlimited prospects, and artificial intelligence is precisely based on computer science.

Yao Haijun added that artificial intelligence is very suitable to be an important topic at this year's World Science Fiction Convention. After all, most science fiction fans around the world first became aware of and understood Chinese science fiction literature through the dialect-language works "Artificial Intelligence" and "The Ring."

What's more, Asimov, who first proposed the "Laws of Robotics", will also attend this conference!
“This is a good topic indeed.”

Fang Yan raised his eyebrows. "To be honest, the movie "Artificial Intelligence" adapted by Kubrick will be released soon in the summer."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar.

"The film will premiere in North America first and then be released around the world in sequence."

Fang Yan said: "If nothing unexpected happens, 'artificial intelligence' will become a topic of discussion again with the release of the movie, so you taking 'artificial intelligence' as the topic of discussion this time can be regarded as following the trend of world science fiction."

"That's really great!"

Yang Xiao was extremely excited, he didn't expect that they would hit the jackpot and actually win the bet!
"But don't be happy too soon."

Fangyan reminded that the issue of "artificial intelligence" has been explored and developed a lot by predecessors. It is neither novel nor interesting to discuss those old-fashioned topics at the World Science Fiction Convention, so we must think of an "artificial intelligence" topic worthy of thinking and research.

"Teacher Fang, we haven't really thought about this."

Yao Haijun looked at him inquiringly.

"Let me give you an analogy. For example, robots with artificial intelligence at their core have become the masters, ruling over humans and the world."

Fangyan held up a finger and said, "So what would such a world be like?"

Everyone's eyes lit up at first, but soon confusion, doubt, puzzlement and contemplation appeared on their faces.

Fang Yan said: "There are many examples like this, but they all fundamentally explore the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence in the future."

Yang Xiao said seriously, "Teacher Fang, we will definitely consider this suggestion seriously."

"After I come up with an idea, I can hold a writing contest on Science Fiction World. There's no age limit or subject matter limit."

Fang Yan said: "As long as the content about 'artificial intelligence' is written in a brilliant and imaginative way, it can be used as a science fiction work to be displayed at this World Science Fiction Convention, so that the world can see the creative conception, creative atmosphere and creative ability of Chinese science fiction literature."

Everyone was delighted and exclaimed that this was a good idea. However, Yao Haijun looked embarrassed and hesitated for a long time, but still could not say anything.

Wang Shuo said, "We are all family here, just say whatever you want to say, don't be so fussy."

"Then I'll tell you."

Yao Haijun saw Fang Yan and the others nodded, "Teacher Fang, since this is an essay contest, will you participate in this activity?"

Fang Yan said happily: "Haha, you, you are still thinking about me writing another novel."

Yao Haijun, Yang Xiao and others cast their enthusiastic and expectant glances.

Fangyan waved his hand to interrupt, "Okay or not, I can't answer you yet, it depends on whether I have any inspiration."

…………

The conversation lasted the entire afternoon.

Fortunately, Shi Tiesheng had thought it through and booked a private room at Fengze Garden in advance, so everyone enjoyed the dinner very much.

After they parted, Fang Yan drove Shi Tiesheng and Shi Lan back to Yonghegong Street.

On the way, Shi Tiesheng asked seriously: "Yanzi, I was just thinking about the question you raised. If artificial intelligence really controls the world and rules over humans, what will the world be like?"

"How could I know that?"

The dialect is interesting.

"Don't try to fool me with this."

Shi Tiesheng rolled his eyes. "You can fool Yang Xiao, Hai Jun and the others, but you can't fool me. I don't know much about you. The questions you raise are never aimless. You must have some ideas and thoughts in your mind, which is why you bring up such a thing."

"My parents gave me life, but I am known by my iron spirit."

Fangyan couldn't help but sigh.

"Sure enough, you are still hiding something."

Shi Tiesheng laughed out loud, "Tell me what you think."

“In fact, I had thought about the issue of artificial intelligence ruling the human world when I was writing The Ring.”

Fangyan turned the steering wheel and the car turned a corner.

Shi Tiesheng didn't find it strange. After all, Fang Yan had been exploring the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence since the book "Artificial Intelligence". In "The Ring", there was even a virtual reality - the spiritual realm - that could allow computer viruses to spread.

"Then tell me, how will artificial intelligence rule the world and control humans?"

"I thought so."

Fang Yan said succinctly: "In the 22nd century, a war broke out between humans and artificial intelligence, and humans were defeated. In order to completely cut off the energy source of robots, humans created artificial clouds to block the sunlight reaching the earth. However, it was the artificial intelligence that defeated humans that enslaved humans and turned them into biological batteries to provide energy for itself. At the same time, it used virtual reality technology to create a 'matrix'."

“The enslaved people are immersed in it, but they are completely unaware that they are actually living in a virtual space designed by artificial intelligence.”

"Until one day, a young hacker successfully escaped from the false world with the help of a group of freedom fighters who rebelled against the matrix and the rule of robots..." (End of this chapter)