America's No. 1 financial conglomerate

Chapter 556 Internet Summit

With the rapid development of the Internet industry, industry exchange activities naturally become an important vehicle for building consensus on innovation and promoting resource integration.

High-end communication platforms in the US internet field are mostly based on a collaborative model involving non-governmental organizations, with the initiators typically being universities, industry associations, or leading enterprises.

As for the summit's influence and level of attention, it largely depends on the weight and influence of the initiator who organizes the summit.

For example, the California Internet Summit attracted widespread attention in the United States as soon as it was organized.

This summit was organized jointly by Stanford and USC, two universities with very prominent positions in the internet industry.

With the breakthrough development of information technology, the Internet industry has experienced explosive growth, and computer professionals have quickly become a core resource that the market is vying for.

Universities across the United States are adjusting their academic programs and increasing their investment in computer-related majors.

After decades of development, the United States has seen the emergence of a number of globally recognized top universities in the field of computer science. These institutions, with their strong research capabilities, comprehensive curriculum systems, and extensive industry collaborations, have become important sources of internet talent.

Currently, there are only a handful of institutions widely recognized as the cradle of America's top computer science programs.

It includes about ten institutions such as Stanford University, USC, UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, University of Washington, and MIT.

Among these, the most prestigious universities, and the ones that internet companies most want to hire, are undoubtedly MIT, Stanford, and USC. MIT and Stanford, as pioneers in computer education in the United States, began exploring large-scale computer talent training as early as the nascent stage of the internet industry. Their foundation and influence are undeniable.

USC, on the other hand, is a perfect example of how one person's success can benefit everyone around them.

One Ernst propelled the rapid development of the computer science department at USC.

On the one hand, USC has the deepest corporate partnerships with Ernst, ensuring that USC graduates have no trouble finding jobs, so USC is naturally willing to invest various resources in this area.

Another key element is networking, which is also one of the core competitive advantages of the USC Computer Science Department.

In the internet industry, the recruitment of high-end talent often focuses not only on individual technical skills, but also on the industry resources and personal networks behind them.

For a startup internet company, hiring a computer science graduate from a top university like USC or Stanford is essentially a very different choice than hiring similar talent from other universities.

As long as the name of the USC Computer Science Department is mentioned, it's basically a guaranteed pass; you can interview today and start working tomorrow.

First of all, being a USC graduate means that even if one's technical skills are lacking, they can't be that bad. The key point is that while their technical skills may be lacking, their friends are highly skilled.

Every year, countless USC computer science students go on to work for major internet companies like Google and Motion Pictures.

What kind of environment do these people live in? What kind of internet gurus do they interact with?

Just because you can't solve a problem doesn't mean others can't. This is a network of connections that spans the entire Silicon Valley, and even the entire American internet industry.

In the long run, if the company grows larger and needs to attract top talent, USC’s alumni network can play a key role and become an important booster for the company’s development.

So when USC and Stanford announced they would co-host the California Internet Summit, it caused a sensation in the industry.

For Silicon Valley startup entrepreneurs, this summit is a golden platform for connecting with industry resources, so many entrepreneurs are looking for resources through various channels in order to gain access.

The enthusiastic support from entrepreneurs further enhanced the summit's industry influence, and large enterprises naturally wanted to participate to boost their influence and presence.

Then the California Internet Summit will become more and more famous, and the entry requirements will become higher and higher.

Ernst attended this summit because USC and Stanford are his core supporters, and he had to give them face.

Furthermore, as a leader subtly emerging from Silicon Valley within the internet industry, he must strengthen the faith of his followers.

Occasionally showing up, not to intimidate everyone and make them submit, but at least to let them know whose territory Silicon Valley is.

The first California Internet Summit was held at Stanford, and the next one was held at USC, with the two taking turns hosting the event.

Returning to Stanford, Ernst was still filled with emotion. In just over two years, the Stanford campus hadn't changed much, but his life had become completely different.

The last time he came, walking around the Stanford campus, nobody paid any attention to him; he was like a ghost. Back then, he was just an unknown entrepreneur. Who could have predicted that the young man who was searching for talent at Stanford would become an industry leader in just two years?

Many Stanford graduate students, whenever they think of this incident, cannot help but feel remorse and regret.

Because they once had such an opportunity to achieve financial freedom in their lives, but they both missed it.

They could only watch the radiant, fleeting man, like the frenzied students and reporters surrounding them, as if welcoming their king.

After only a brief glimpse of his face, Ernst walked into the backstage area of ​​the auditorium with a smile.

This is the rest area set up by the organizers. Apart from invited guests and organizers, no outsiders are allowed to enter.

At this moment, the place resembles a small banquet hall, with various exquisite dishes, fruits, and drinks neatly arranged on long dining tables.

Ernst's arrival plunged the previously noisy lounge into a brief silence.

The guests in the room all stopped what they were doing and their eyes were all focused on him, their expressions showing a hint of surprise and astonishment.

After all, this king of the American internet industry rarely makes public appearances.

It is said that since entering the internet industry, he has given no more than three public interviews.

However, after a moment's thought, everyone felt this situation was reasonable. After all, USC and Stanford have very deep collaborations with Ernst, so deep that it has caused dissatisfaction among many Silicon Valley companies. They believe that the resource allocation by these two universities to Ernst is undermining the fairness of industry competition and creativity.

Against this backdrop, Ernst's attendance at the summit jointly hosted by the two universities is both a response to the cooperative relationship and a statement of concern to the industry.

"I didn't expect you to come."

Ernst was a little embarrassed, as everyone was staring at him without moving, making him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

However, a voice came from behind, as if a power switch had been pressed, and everyone instantly returned to normal.

Turning around, Ernst chuckled. "Steve, shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"

In his view, Steve Jobs' appearance was quite unexpected: "Is Apple officially entering the internet industry?"

Jobs, holding a tray, picked up a piece of fruit and placed it on the plate. "Apple is the Internet company."

Ernst was slightly taken aback, but then he realized what was happening.

It really is.

Other computer manufacturers cannot be considered internet companies, but Apple can.

Unlike other computer hardware manufacturers who only focus on equipment production, they develop their own operating systems, so calling them an internet company wouldn't be wrong. "You weren't invited to speak too, were you?" Knowing Steve Jobs as he did, Ernst knew he wouldn't have come if he'd just been invited to take a look.

Jobs nodded. "That's part of the process."

Ernst laughed even harder, adding fuel to the fire, "What are you talking about? Are you suggesting that Microsoft copied Apple's system?"

Jobs glared at him, annoyed. "Aren't you afraid Larry'll come and challenge you to a fight?"

In just one day, the love-hate relationship between Ernst and Larry Ellison spread throughout Silicon Valley, becoming a hot topic of conversation in the industry, and almost everyone knew about it.

Ernst shrugged, looking completely indifferent.

He picked up an empty tray and stood beside Jobs, picking out food as they went. He said, "Whatever. If things really come to this, I'll get Bill Gates with me. We'll team up and beat him up."

Jobs paused, then his expression turned quite interesting.

Ernst, Larry, Ellison, and Bill Gates—these three people have surprisingly gotten together today.

Thinking of this, even he chuckled softly, hoping that something interesting would happen at the California Internet Summit, although the chances of that happening were slim.

"Are you sure Bill Gates isn't going to beat you up?"

Ernst raised an eyebrow. "Why do I get the feeling you want to stay out of this? Don't forget, the three of us should be on the same side." Jobs, of course, knew he was referring to the competition in the internet space.

But he wasn't fooled. "If Larry beats you up, I won't stop him. But if Bill Gates beats you up, I can kick him a couple of times for you."

This was another answer that surprised Ernst; the old man turned out to be a cunning and treacherous fellow, the kind who would resort to dirty tricks.

Just as he was about to retort, the door opened again and a woman walked in.

It instantly attracted everyone's attention and caused quite a stir in the room.