Go: The live broadcast queen launched a gorgeous rebellion against the dog

"……ah?!
AI?!
"Rui Zhao, are you talking about... a Go AI?"

"Of course, otherwise how would it play chess with me!"

"But...but! Rui Zhao!"

"How could a human possibly defeat an AI?!"

"...Ah! Or perhaps..."

"You mean the version that defeated Choi Sung-seok 9-dan back then?"
"If it's that original version, then I think you have a very good chance..."

"of course not!
"If we're going to take on a challenge, we should naturally challenge the most advanced and latest version of AI that Deepbrain currently has!"

"Therefore, I hope Deepbrain can consider holding a public competition as soon as possible—just like when OMEGA GO was launched and they challenged Choi Sung-seok 9-dan!"

"Huh—?! Why?!"
"Rui Zhao, this...this is almost impossible!"

Why did you think of doing this?

"Well... there are two main reasons!"
"On the one hand, I found that many people were misled by some false propaganda!"
"They have a great misunderstanding of Go, of the heights that human players can reach, and they are not aware of the fact that AI cannot completely replace the role that humans play in the progress of Go."

"So I want to try and see how far the pinnacle of human intelligence is from the limits of AI."

"On the other hand... Sister Nian, I don't actually think that humanity has absolutely no chance of winning!"
"I see a lot of opinions saying that I am the best in the world! And I am only 22 years old. I feel that my level is still growing and my understanding is deepening. Who can say that I cannot continue to break the limits of human ability?"

"But...but..."

"That's a top-tier AI!"
"Its computing power and stability are simply beyond human reach..."

"Sister Kenian, I feel like... I'm not that different from an AI, am I?"

"ah???!"

"Look, in the current competition, no one else can beat me, right?"
"So from this perspective, I'm pretty much the same as AI, right?"
"They're all people that no one else can beat! Why can't we compete?"

"Ah this..."

……

"Ah, this..."

"What is Rui Zhao saying?!"

Meanwhile, in the VIP viewing room of the "Pinghu Tenth Bureau" theme park.

At this moment, Shang Chaotian, who was watching the live post-match interview, had the same utter sense of absurdity on his face as Nian Lili in the video:
"She said she wanted to challenge AI?"

"How could a human possibly defeat an AI?!"

Although Shang Chaotian had recently sensed a subtle difference in Rui Zhao's condition, he had always thought it was just a result of the rapidly deteriorating situation of Go's inclusion in the Olympics and the immense pressure from external public opinion.

But he never expected that this number one player in the world, who was always focused on the game and even somewhat "detached from worldly affairs," would make such a shocking declaration in public!

Challenging AI?!
This puts them right in the eye of a media storm!

Shang Chaotian could even imagine how ecstatic the conservative media in North America would be upon seeing this news, and how they would go to great lengths to ridicule it! They would exploit Rui Zhao's "overestimation of his abilities" to further devalue Go!
"No! I have to go ask her!"

"Find out what exactly happened!"

The immense shock and subsequent anxiety were like a bucket of ice water poured over his head. Shang Chaotian couldn't even wait for the interview to end before he suddenly jumped up from his chair, wanting nothing more than to find Rui Zhao and get to the bottom of things!
Just as he was about to touch the doorknob, a steady and strong hand suddenly pressed down on his shoulder!

"Brother Tian, ​​wait a minute!"

It was Lu Wenjie.

The vice chairman of the chess association also looked shocked, but compared to Shang Chaotian's incomprehension, his eyes showed more contemplation and calmness:
"I think... Rui Zhao's actions might not necessarily be a bad thing!"

"That's utter nonsense! It might not be a bad thing after all!"

"Brother Tian, ​​please listen to me first."

Lu Wenjie slowly analyzed:

"Rui Zhao's words may sound shocking at first glance... but they are actually very tactful! Listen carefully to her wording!"
She said "issue a challenge," "let's see if humans are really no match for AI!" She didn't say anything as arrogant as "I will defeat AI" or "humans will definitely defeat AI!"

"This itself leaves them with a huge margin of error!"

"But so what? She still can't beat AI!"

"Isn't this just offering your face up to be slapped for no reason?!"

The chess association chairman remained puzzled. Lu Wenjie, however, shook his head and continued:

"Brother Tian, ​​as I said, this might not be as simple as it seems!"
"In the past month, Rui Zhao has been invincible on the chessboard, but we have been suppressed in terms of public opinion. There has been no good news for a whole month! We are especially lacking in response to the opponent's high-intensity ridicule!"
"It's clear from public opinion that liberals are not as enthusiastic as before! Rui Zhao's willingness to speak out has undoubtedly created a hot topic again and boosted the confidence of liberals!"

"I just saw that the Yiguo forum exploded with excitement. I haven't seen chess fans this excited in the past month!"

Upon hearing this, Shang Chaotian gradually began to understand.

Indeed, ever since the North American media machine started operating, the "pro-siege" faction on the media battlefield has been dealt a heavy blow!
They were helpless against the opponent's derogatory statement that "human Go players are useless in front of AI," and their morale clearly declined.

At this moment, Rui Zhao dared to stand up and say such a thing. Regardless of the outcome, it at least showed the courage of the "pro-siege faction"!

Lu Wenjie paused before continuing his analysis, but before he could finish speaking:
"...Moreover, our ultimate goal is to promote Go to the Olympics, not to beat AI!"

"What we need is to break the absurd logic of North America that 'humans are useless in front of AI'! It is to prove to the world that the value of Go lies not in whether it can defeat machines, but in the wisdom, creativity, and indomitable spirit of exploration that it contains!"

"And Rui Zhao... her chess skills are not only the best among humans, but they also seem to be constantly improving!"

"While it's impossible to beat AI, if it were her, she might actually have a chance to play a good game against AI that could keep the game close for a long time! It's not even impossible to hit the AI's blind spot during the game!"

"You should know that Joan of Arc, the Gallic saint, was also unable to completely defeat the powerful invaders on her own! She died before her great cause was completed."

"But the unparalleled courage and conviction she displayed were enough to ignite the fighting spirit of the entire nation and become a spiritual totem that unites people's hearts!"

"What Rui Zhao is doing now is something similar!"
"She doesn't need to actually beat the AI! She just needs to stand in front of that seemingly invincible 'giant' AI and demonstrate the indomitable will, superb skills, and courage to challenge the limits of human chess players!"

"If she can do this, it will be enough to shake the foundation of the 'human Go is useless' theory in North America, and re-unite the confidence of Go enthusiasts and liberal supporters around the world! It will create new possibilities for us to break the current deadlock in public opinion!"
"She is using her best skills to pave a new way for the future of the entire Go game!"
"I suspect... that's why Rui Zhao suddenly made this decision!"

After listening to Lu Wenjie's long and meticulous analysis, Shang Chaotian's confusion and anxiety gradually faded, replaced by a serious and thoughtful expression. Finally, he slowly relaxed his furrowed brows and murmured in agreement:
"Hiss—if that's the case, it might actually be true!"
"That's right..."

"Has Rui Zhao, this seemingly simple-minded person, become so cunning?!"

"That shouldn't be the case."

Lu Wenjie smiled and shook his head:

"This kind of thing was probably suggested by Xiao Ai behind the scenes!"

...

...

"Little! Zhao! Meow—!!!"
"Couldn't you at least let me know before you launch your satellite?! Huh?!"

"I wasn't prepared at all! You almost overheated my CPU!"

Five minutes later, Rui Zhao returned to her private car at the hotel.

Ai Jian'an's extremely penetrating roar came from the phone, which had just entered a call state, so loud that Rui Zhao subconsciously moved the phone away a little.

But Miss Ai's slightly distraught voice continued to play:
"How could I have imagined you'd pull something like this? My phone was practically bombarded with calls from all sorts of media outlets!"

"The message notification sounds are like death knells, all asking about challenging AI!"

"My dear aunt! Next time you're going to make a big splash like this, can't you at least let me know in advance?! Let me at least have some contingency plans?!"
"Perhaps I can offer you some advice!!!"

Rui Zhao shrank back slightly after being scolded so harshly, a childlike embarrassment appearing on her fair face.

"I...I was just afraid that you wouldn't agree, Sister An'an..."

She held her phone, her voice very soft, almost pleading, like a kitten caught doing something wrong.

Ai Jianan on the other end of the phone was taken aback by the soft, gentle tone, and her anger seemed to dissipate almost instantly.

She paused for two seconds, then let out a long, helpless sigh, her voice softening:
"...How could this be!"
"I think you did a really good job this time!"

Ai Jianan's tone carried a doting tone that suggested she "couldn't do anything with you," along with a hint of unexpected appreciation:

"Let's see now..."

"We just have to see if they fall for our trap!"

……Eh?

Falling into a trap?

What kind of scheme are you falling for?

How did we fall for their trap?!
The reigning Chinese chess master held his phone, a clear look of bewilderment and confusion flashing across his bright eyes.

Her declaration of war against AI stemmed entirely from her most direct and purest desire—to break through the despairing gloom of "AI is invincible" that shrouds Go and ultimately push Rui Zhao into the Olympics!

But Sister An'an seems to be...

What's the misunderstanding?!

Rui Zhao quickly sensed something was amiss, but the Zhaojun of today was no longer the naive girl she once was. Seeing that Ai Jian'an seemed to be somewhat "Didi-ized," she immediately pretended to be confused and agreed with a couple of remarks to avoid being criticized by her manager further.

At this point, Boss Ai seemed too lazy to argue with her star performer any further. She changed the subject, her tone becoming serious and pragmatic again:
"Let me double-check, if they really accept the challenge..."

"Little Zhao Miao, you're planning to go down, right?"

"Of course!"

"...

"...Sigh! Fine, fine! I understand!"

A long, knowing sigh came from the other end of the phone, followed by a rapid return to the competence and responsibility of a manager:
"Leave the rest to me! You don't need to worry about it!"

"But Little Zhao Miao! Listen carefully!"

"Once you say this, you can't afford to lose to any human player, or you'll become a laughingstock!"

"Um!

"Don't worry about An'an!"

Rui Zhao's words were as firm as a rock:

"I won't lose."

"……That's good."

Ai Jianan seemed to finally relax a little. After giving a few more brief instructions, she hurriedly hung up the phone, clearly having to deal with the various public relations efforts following her star's spectacular announcement.

Rui Zhao put down her phone and let out a small sigh of relief, as if she had unloaded a small burden.

For her, how to explain such a groundbreaking feat as challenging AI to those around her is probably more of a headache than winning the world championship.

Today, Ai Jian'an accepted this fact without asking too many questions, which was undoubtedly the best thing for Rui Zhao...

but……

Ai Jian'an wasn't the only one with doubts about this swift and unexpected turn of events...

"Rui Zhao..."

Just then, a hesitant and confused young male voice cautiously rang out from the seat next to her—it was Lei Qi.

"You really..."

"Shall we challenge the AI?" (End of Chapter)