Xingnan University, laboratory.
A bearded middle-aged man with graying hair sat in front of a computer, typing away.
Behind him, a man in his thirties wearing a crisp gray suit sat in a swivel chair and said helplessly, "Old Zheng, we've known each other for years. I'm not going to hurt you. As long as you agree, however much funding that AI research needs, I'll go talk to the company executives."
"I'm just a technician. I'm not in charge of that."
Zheng Qiu quietly tapped at the keyboard without looking up.
"Then give me the contact information for the boss behind you. I'll talk to him."
"I'm not in charge of that either."
The suited man stood up and patiently explained, "Old Zheng, you've been smarter than me since we were kids. That AI has such huge potential. The funding for your future development isn't something that unknown person behind you can afford on his own."
"But he never interferes with technical matters."
"He didn't interfere while it was still in development, of course. He invested so much money. Now that this AI is about to enter the market, if it loses money and his funds run dry, what do you think he'll do to you?"
The suited man tried earnestly to persuade him.
"You know the company behind me too. It's a major domestic corporation with deep pockets. We'll give technical people the greatest possible autonomy."
Zheng Qiu stopped typing, glanced at him, and said with a laugh, "Do you believe that yourself? The times are changing so quickly. My voice AI is only the first to take the plunge. More and more similar products will come afterward."
"I don't believe that when the time comes, a major corporation will still let me focus solely on refining the technology."