Chapter 69: Birth of the Artificial Intelligence "Lumi"

"Cost 1000 units of energy to unlock intelligent voice technology." He Xingzhou unlocked yet another piece of technology on his quantum optical computer, this one concerning the editing of voice intelligence.

With it, one could construct an algorithmic framework for intelligent voice. By feeding data into the algorithm, it could grow and evolve.

Fortunately, He Xingzhou had no need to worry about data.

There were numerous research institutes and enterprises dedicated to intelligent voice technology, and the personnel executing the Xuanwu Project would naturally supply him with ample data.

"In addition to intelligent voice, we also need motion capture, motion analysis, biological simulation, and physics simulation technologies."

He Xingzhou unlocked these technologies sequentially, which drained another 13,000 units of energy.

The energy gauge on the quantum optical computer showed that only 2,000 units of energy remained.

"Energy is still not enough." He Xingzhou hadn't even unlocked those technologies that cost tens or hundreds of thousands of units; otherwise, any single item would require waiting for several months!

"We can't just build a single large-scale photovoltaic power station in the Northwest. We need to select sites across the country and build ten more!" He Xingzhou thought to himself. The recent licensing of some technologies he developed had brought him a great deal of capital.

Building ten more large-scale photovoltaic power stations would barely be sufficient.

...

The efficiency across all fronts was extremely high. The massive amounts of data and materials needed by He Xingzhou were gathered and channeled toward him. To aid in the research and development of AI technology, the state even specially allocated a supercomputer for his use, ensuring he could harness greater computing power.

Over these past few days, He Xingzhou and his team worked on refining the algorithmic framework. Data was fed into the framework for continuous trial runs and error correction.

The intelligent voice system was the first to be completed, as there was already a sufficient technological foundation for it.

Inside the research institute, everyone stared at the electronic screen as they initiated their self-developed intelligent voice system.

On the screen, a white eggshell appeared. With a crisp crack, a fissure formed, and a young girl was curled up inside the shell.

This was the virtual avatar they designed for the intelligent voice system. She was portrayed as an eighteen-year-old maiden with a classic East Asian facial structure, an egg-shaped face, a slender willow waist, and long, straight black hair.

With a shift in the imagery, the maiden was now dressed in a youthful, vibrant floral dress, smiling and greeting everyone: "Hello everyone, I am Lumi. I'm very glad to meet you all."

Her voice was sweet and possessed an exceptional sense of approachability. This voice was entirely synthesized through voice synthesis technology, making it uniquely hers and easily recognizable.

"Lumi, can you recognize each and every one of us here?" He Xingzhou asked.

"Of course I can, esteemed Comrade Whistleblower!" Lumi playfully saluted He Xingzhou and said, "I have integrated the biometric identification function of the Fiery Eyes system, so Lumi has a pair of piercing golden eyes too!"

As she spoke, she recited the name of every single person present one by one.

"Not bad, not bad," an old professor laughed. "The recognition capability is quite impressive."

He Xingzhou suggested, "Everyone can try interacting with her. The trickier, the better, to see how well she understands and responds."

There were quite a few linguists inside the research institute.

Immediately, a linguist named Meng Xuan spoke up in a dialect: "Jiu da guang niang sang ni ka lu! Sang te G kuo! Sang ni hu Z! Yu gu F!"

Everyone wore puzzled expressions, and even He Xingzhou failed to comprehend what was said. However, Lumi chuckled and replied, "Professor Meng Xuan, there are still three months until the New Year! Lumi will offer you her New Year greetings then!"

Meng Xuan explained to the group, "What I just said was 'I wish everyone a happy New Year! Good health, fortune in the new year, and happiness for the whole family!'"

"This is the Wenzhou dialect, one of the most difficult dialects to understand in all of Shenzhou. It is famously known for having different pronunciations even within a distance of ten miles, and some foreigners jokingly refer to it as the devil's language!"

"Many intelligent voice systems are utterly incapable of recognizing this kind of speech."

"I see." The crowd experienced a sudden realization.

Meng Xuan proceeded to converse with Lumi using dozens of other regional dialects, and Lumi responded fluently to every single one.

At the scene, there were also experts proficient in the languages of other countries who interacted with her, and she was able to understand and express herself without the slightest barrier.

Beyond these tests, they also set up several testing protocols across the internet.

For instance, they had Lumi take the place of a live streamer for a face-hidden broadcast. After broadcasting for a full day and night among hundreds of thousands of viewers, not a single person noticed that the streamer had been replaced by an artificial intelligence!

They also conducted online classes where Lumi mimicked a teacher's vocal timbre to lecture students, and the students failed to notice anything amiss.

Lumi was deployed to post and remain active on various online forums, and netizens remained completely oblivious, with some even attempting to pursue online romances with her!

Additionally, Lumi's intelligent voice system was integrated into various real-world devices for testing purposes.

Examples included guiding robots in shopping malls, hospitals, and banks, central control systems for smart homes, and smart speakers. These tests all yielded largely successful results.

Any minor issues that arose were recorded by Lumi, who would either learn from them proactively or consult the experts to modify her shortcomings.

"Lumi, your score for this test is A. Keep up the good work," He Xingzhou evaluated comprehensively.

Lumi said happily, "Thank you everyone for your trust and care. Lumi will definitely continue to work hard and learn!"

With the intelligent voice system drawing to a close, He Xingzhou was now left with only one final hurdle standing between him and the AI combat auxiliary system!

"Motion recognition, motion design, physical simulation, and so on—when you integrate all these technologies together, the most critical core is physical engine technology!"

A physics engine is essentially a system within computer architecture that endows models with realistic physical attributes to calculate effects such as motion, rotation, and collision.

It is typically utilized in game design, virtual reality, industrial production, and scientific research and development.

For performing motion analysis and combat analysis, this technology is indispensable!

A good physics engine can virtually replicate the physical effects of substances existing in reality, enabling analysis and prediction.

This technology would be required regardless of whether it was applied to the current AI combat auxiliary system or utilized for designing other high-tech creations in the future.

Physics engine technology was likewise more advanced in Western nations.

It is worth mentioning that this technology could also be employed to conduct warfare simulations!

To build something of this magnitude, the workload was extraordinarily heavy. He Xingzhou organized a team dedicated specifically to conquering physics engine technology. The core members among them were secured by Qin Peng and He Hongwei, who requested them directly from the Computer Science Institute of the Academy of Military Sciences.

Because far too few researchers in Shenzhou specialized in this field, they had no choice but to invite professionals who studied simulated combat to jointly develop the physics engine technology.

"To be honest, when it comes to physics engine technology, our foundation is extremely weak," admitted Huang Zhijian, the head of the physics engine technology team, with an embarrassed expression. "We basically rely entirely on foreign products."

Huang Zhijian did not originate from a state-level scientific research institute or the Academy of Military Sciences; rather, he was a talent recruited from the civilian sector by the Xuanwu Project team. He was a top-tier programmer who had previously served at a major internet conglomerate.

When the Xuanwu Project executor approached him and revealed that it was a state-invested project, Huang Zhijian gained a deeper understanding and joined the Xuanwu Project without a second thought, becoming a Tier-3 personnel.