Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 529 The Importance of Visual Applications

"President Song, you're too kind. How could I trouble you to come here in person to greet me?"

Zhu Songchun quickly took two steps and shook hands with Song Ci, his words filled with genuine surprise and emotion.

Given Song Ci's current status and busy schedule, the fact that he personally waited for her in the parking lot shows his sincerity in showing respect to a talented person, which has already exceeded his expectations.

"Professor Zhu is a national hero, so this is only right." Song Ci's words were brief, yet they carried utmost respect.

His gaze then fell on the young man next to Zhu Songchun.

At eighteen or nineteen years old, he was full of vigor and high spirits, with the confidence and sharpness unique to genius in his eyes, making him feel as if he were seeing himself many years ago.

"Who is this……?"

Zhu Songchun then remembered to introduce him: "His name is Lin Ziren, he is my student. I brought him here to broaden his horizons, please don't mind, President Song."

"Welcome, Lin!" Song Ci smiled and nodded to Lin Ziren, her attitude friendly and natural, showing no disrespect despite the other's youth.

"Please come upstairs, gentlemen. I have prepared tea and refreshments."

The meeting room provided by the consulate was elegantly and solemnly furnished. Soft lighting shone on the wooden table, and several cups of tea steamed, emitting a delicate fragrance.

After a few pleasantries, Song Ci put down her teacup, her expression turning serious, and she went straight to the point, extending an invitation:
"Professor Zhu, on behalf of Tengda Technology and also entrusted by Peking University, I sincerely invite you to return to China to develop your career."

Zhu Songchun did not immediately express his opinion. He picked up his teacup, gently blew away the floating leaves, took a sip, and then asked a crucial question:
"Mr. Song, I'm very curious and have been thinking about this for a while. Given Tengda's current business layout and technological reserves, why are you so insistent on inviting me? What exactly do you value in me?"

With keen insight, Song Ci answered emphatically: "Because I want to invite you to join me in defining the next era!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Songchun paused for a moment, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Lin Ziren, who was sitting upright to the side, felt as if his heart had been struck by a heavy hammer. His eyes suddenly flashed with an incomparably dazzling light as he stared intently at Song Ci.

The phrase "defining the next era" possesses an irresistible magic for truly ambitious researchers and entrepreneurs.

This statement by Song Ci is by no means an exaggeration or deceptive claim. In a flash, my thoughts expanded, and a grand picture woven from technology and vision clearly emerged in my mind.

In the wave of mobile internet, following WeChat and WeChat, the next super app that can penetrate cultural barriers and connect billions of users around the world will definitely be Douyin and TikTok.

The gentle and refined scholar before us, whose field of expertise is computer vision, holds the key to unlocking this door to the future.

Traditional recommendation systems are like a nearsighted person who relies on tags and keywords, and can only guess the content based on the limited information labeled by users.

Zhu Songchun's research can endow algorithms with a pair of truly "wise eyes." These "eyes" can penetrate pixels and directly understand the inherent semantics of videos.

It can not only identify specific regions, scenes and objects, but also capture human movements and even perceive the "tranquil and healing" or "exhilarating and inspiring" emotional atmosphere flowing in the picture.

This will elevate content categorization and recommendation from a crude "type matching" to a refined "contextual and emotional resonance".

When a platform can consistently push videos that truly match users' interests and current mood, user satisfaction and usage time will naturally increase.

Moreover, Zhu Songchun's profound expertise in the field of visual design forms the cornerstone for building the next generation of immersive interactive experiences.

It will enable more realistic, intelligent, and creative AR filters, real-time beautification, and dynamic stickers.

This allows virtual elements to be seamlessly integrated with the real world, greatly enriching the fun and expressiveness of creation.

Looking to the future, this technology will further empower AI video generation, intelligent editing, and music visualization matching.

Lowering the barrier to video creation to an unprecedented level will unleash the creative potential of the entire population and create a vibrant creative ecosystem.

Ambitions rose and spread in the heart of Song Ci:
This work integrates Zhu Songchun's groundbreaking achievements in computer vision with the more advanced multimodal fusion recommendation algorithm that the Tengda team is currently working on.

He is fully confident that he can create a short video app that is smarter and more attractive than any product he has ever seen in his past life.

The intellectual landscape of Song Dynasty poetry continues to expand, transcending the boundaries of entertainment.

On the e-commerce platform Pinduoduo, computer vision can enable users to find similar products by taking pictures and even identify products in real time from video content.

We will build a seamless consumption loop where "what you see is what you buy," and completely connect the last step from content creation to transaction conversion.

It can also equip Devon's autonomous driving technology with intelligent vision, enabling accurate understanding and prediction of complex scenarios.

As her thoughts gradually calmed, Song Ci looked intently at Zhu Songchun and said with sincere emotion:
"Professor, a new era is about to unfold. A great product that can lead global trends and carry the lives of billions of users like WeChat, its core intelligent engine is waiting for you to build it yourself."

Isn't participating in such a defining undertaking an incredibly attractive and challenging feat?

The scope and prospects implied in this proposal stirred even the usually calm heart of Zhu Songchun.

After a moment's thought, he asked the crucial question concerning its practical application: "Mr. Song, your vision is inspiring. So, what scale of investment does Tenda Technology plan to make in the field of artificial intelligence?"

"Tengda Technology's investment in artificial intelligence will be unlimited, regardless of cost!"
I can state this clearly: the initial investment is 10 billion yuan, and this is just the beginning.

Meanwhile, Tenda will build 'Jiuzhang', the strongest computing center in Asia.

If you are willing to join Tenda, you will have autonomy over the entire AI lab, from naming and research direction to technical roadmap and team building.

Tenda Technology will always be your most steadfast supporter and resource provider, and will never interfere with your research and management.

Regardless of cost, billions of dollars in funding, Asia's strongest computing power, and absolute autonomy!

These keywords struck Zhu Songchun's heartstrings like a heavy hammer.

Before the meeting, he had done in-depth research and found that Songci was known for its bold and far-sighted investment in technological research and development.

More importantly, Tenda Technology's strong profitability and healthy cash flow are a solid guarantee that this commitment can continue for many years.

This is a huge advantage that no university or even the vast majority of research institutions can match.

Song Ci keenly captured the subtle changes in Zhu Songchun's expression, a sign that rational considerations were beginning to tilt towards his inner desires.

He decided to play his final card, the one most likely to resonate with the scientist: "Professor, I have studied your academic philosophy in depth."

You have always advocated that AI research should serve human society and solve major real-world problems.

I wholeheartedly agree with this, as it aligns perfectly with Tenda Technology's values. We aspire to, and are committed to, applying cutting-edge AI technology to a wide range of fields that concern the national economy and people's livelihoods.

Whether it's the precise diagnosis in smart healthcare, the efficient governance in smart cities, or the digital restoration of cultural heritage.

What we always pursue is the unity and win-win situation of commercial value and social value.

……

The Lincoln sedan was completely silent on the way back, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere of academic discussions that had preceded them.

Lin Ziren keenly sensed his mentor's unusual behavior and discreetly observed Zhu Songchun.

The professor leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the Los Angeles scenery rushing past the window.

At this moment, the purity he usually displayed when immersed in formulas and theorems was gone from his face; instead, there was a deep, complex expression, a mixture of weighing options and longing.

Lin Ziren understood that his mentor's once unwavering commitment to North American academia had been swayed by the young Chinese tycoon.

The conditions offered by Song Ci were so generous that they were hard to refuse.

Not to mention the unlimited research funding, top-tier salaries in the industry, and the dual prestige and platform of "Chief Scientific Advisor of Tenda Technology" and "Dean of Peking University AGI Research Institute".

Song Ci even thoughtfully considered the future of her mentor's youngest daughter, a matter of great concern to her.

They promised to hire top-tier coaching resources for training, and there is even a chance for them to compete in the Olympic Games as national athletes in the future.

These comprehensive arrangements, encompassing career, family, and personal aspirations, are difficult to obtain in the United States.

Zhu Songchun looked out the window, seemingly calm, but his heart was actually churning with turmoil.

The last words of the Song poem still echoed in his ears, repeatedly striking his heart:

"Professor Zhu, China has the most complex application scenarios and the largest data ecosystem in the world. This is the ultimate testing ground to test and promote AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) from theory to reality."

It's time for you to come back, to leave your deepest and most valuable mark on this land that nurtured us.

While North America certainly provided a starting point, the resources and influence that Chinese scientists can access and exert ultimately face an invisible ceiling.

A deep sense of weariness, mixed with an increasingly strong sense of belonging, quietly welled up in my heart.

He sighed softly, almost inaudibly, as if exhaling years of feeling lost and adrift, and murmured to himself:
"As people get older, they eventually want to return to their roots. Perhaps it's time to go back and take a look."

After parting ways with Zhu Songchun, Song Ci did not rest for a moment before boarding a private plane to head north to Seattle, the last stop of her North American trip.

The plane landed at Tacoma International Airport after a light drizzle, the air filled with the unique moisture and freshness of the Pacific Northwest.

This place is not only the birthplace of Boeing, but also the heart of the Microsoft empire; the atmosphere of technology seems to permeate every inch of the air.

The destination of this trip is Bill Gates' renowned smart mansion, hailed as the "House of the Future".

It is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Washington, backed by mountains and facing the lake, echoing the Microsoft headquarters campus on the opposite shore.

As Song Ci's convoy slowly entered the manor gate and passed through a lush tree-lined avenue, the architectural complex, which did not win with its exaggerated appearance but relied on the integration of cutting-edge technology and ecological concepts, came into view.

Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates were personally waiting at the main house to greet them, demonstrating the highest sincerity and enthusiasm of the hosts.

“Song, welcome to Seattle, welcome to my home.” Bill Gates smiled and stepped forward to shake hands.

He was dressed in a casual shirt and khaki pants, looking relaxed, more like an engineer next door than a wealthy business tycoon.

Melinda also extended a warm greeting, displaying a gentle and wise demeanor.

Led by the owner, Song Ci entered this legendary mansion.

The interior design is not a cold, impersonal accumulation of technology, but rather a seamless integration of smart technology into a comfortable living environment and art collection.

The light, temperature, music, and even the display of artworks seem to have a life of their own, silently adjusting to people's movements and preferences.

In a futuristic lounge, a huge screen takes up an entire wall.

Bill Gates operated the touchpad with great interest, and a colorful, ever-changing periodic table of elements instantly appeared on the wall.

Each element is accompanied by exquisite physical samples and detailed scientific information, as if an entire natural history museum has been condensed into this one.

“This is one of the ‘digital hearts’ of the whole house,” Bill Gates said in a lighthearted tone, like a child showing off a favorite toy to a friend.

Song Ci paused before her, her face showing appreciation and thoughtfulness, her gaze shifting as the elements changed.

"Isn't it interesting?" Bill Gates asked with a smile, seeing Song Ci engrossed in reading.

Upon hearing this, Song Ci smiled and said, "It's a wonderful idea. When we got married, my wife also designed a similar wall as a wedding gift for me."

“Excellent!” Bill Gates’ eyes flashed with surprise and admiration as he sincerely praised, “Song, your wife must be a lady with exceptional scientific literacy and artistic taste.”

The ultimate goal of technology is to serve humanity and to enrich life with beauty and warmth.

After the tour, the three were led to a reception room with a great view.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows are meticulously manicured gardens and distant lakes and mountains, while the interior is furnished with books and artworks, creating a private and elegant atmosphere.

"Song, tea or coffee?" Bill Gates asked kindly, sitting down casually.

Song Ci calmly took his seat and replied with a light laugh: "There's an old Chinese saying, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.' Here, you should try some authentic coffee."

Melinda smiled and gestured, and a waiter quietly brought over two cups of fragrant, premium coffee, the exquisite bone china cups and saucers highlighting its exceptional quality.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Melinda left the meeting room to prepare dinner, leaving the space to the two men who were about to decide on a major collaboration.

The room fell silent, with only the occasional birdsong from outside the window and the aroma of coffee in the air.

Song Ci elegantly savored a few sips of authentic Americano, enjoying the nutty and dark chocolate flavors unfolding on her tongue. Setting down her cup and saucer, her gaze met Bill Gates's in mid-air.

(End of this chapter)