Rebirth: Starting from Lighting Up the Tech Tree

Chapter 200 Ethical Controversies

Three days after the CCTV report, doubts began to emerge.

It started in some small forums where someone posted a question about whether implanting a chip in the brain would lead to being controlled. The post didn't attract much attention, but it was quickly reposted on social media with a sensational headline: "China's First Successful Brain-Computer Interface Case, But Does Your Brain Still Belong to You?"

When Zuo Cheng saw the message, he was discussing the selection criteria for the second batch of volunteers with Professor Zheng. Han Lu handed him the tablet and said, "Take a look, this is a bit troublesome."

Zuo Cheng glanced at it and said, "Continue the discussion, don't worry about it."

Han Lu said it's already gaining traction. Several influential bloggers have shared it, and the comment section is in chaos.

Zuo Cheng said, "What do you mean?"

Han Lu said there are mainly three categories of opinions. The first category is that implanted chips can be hacked; the second category is that consciousness can be read or even tampered with; and the third category is that this is challenging the laws of nature, and humanity should not play with fire.

Zuo Cheng put the tablet aside and said, "Let the bullets fly for a while."

But the bullet flew faster than expected. The next day, a metropolitan newspaper published a full-page report titled "Where are the Boundaries of Brain-Computer Interfaces?" The article did not directly deny the technology, but listed a large number of hypothetical risks, concluding with the question: When technology can enter the brain, who will guarantee that it will not be misused?

On the third day, a philosophy professor from a university posted on social media, saying that brain-computer interfaces are one of the most dangerous technologies in human history because they directly touch upon the essence of "what makes us human." The article was shared tens of thousands of times, and the comments section was filled with heated debates between supporters and opponents.

Zuo Cheng knew he had to respond.

He had Han Lu arrange a press conference for Friday afternoon at headquarters 402. Invitations were sent to mainstream media outlets, as well as some experts and scholars who had spoken out on social media.

On the day of the press conference, more than forty media outlets attended, and the venue was packed. Zuo Cheng wore his usual shirt and trousers, without a tie, and walked onto the stage with a calm expression.

He said, "Thank you all for coming. I know there has been a lot of discussion about brain-computer interfaces lately, with some supporting them, some worried about them, and some opposing them. I'm here today not to convince anyone, but to clarify some facts."

He turned on the screen behind him, which displayed a structural diagram of the NX-30 chip.

First, regarding safety. The NX-30 is a semi-invasive chip, attached to the outside of the dura mater, without penetrating brain tissue. Its sole function is to collect neural signals from the motor cortex. The chip has no writing capability, cannot send any instructions to the brain, and certainly cannot control a person's thoughts.

Second, regarding privacy. The signals we collect are movement intentions, not thought content. If you want to move your right hand, the chip can recognize it; but what you're thinking, the chip doesn't know. All data is processed through a federated learning framework; the raw data doesn't leave the local machine, and even our company can't access it.

Third, regarding ethics. Brain-computer interfaces do touch upon some profound issues. My view is that technology itself is neither good nor evil; the key lies in how it is used. We use this technology to help paralyzed patients stand up again, which is a good thing. If someone uses it for bad purposes, that's a human problem, not a technological one.

A reporter raised his hand in the audience, and Zuo Cheng gestured for him to ask a question.

The reporter said, "Mr. Zuo, some people are worried that this technology could be abused by the military or government to control ordinary people. What's your opinion?"

Zuo Cheng said, "I understand this concern, but I can tell you clearly that the design of the NX-30 makes it impossible to use for this purpose. As I just mentioned, it can only collect signals, not write signals. Even if someone wanted to control you, this hardware couldn't do it."

Another reporter raised their hand and said, "What about the future? What if technology advances and we can read and write?"

Zuo Cheng said, "That's a good question. If technology develops to that point in the future, a more stringent ethical framework and regulatory mechanism will indeed be needed. My suggestion is to establish an industry ethics committee now to define the boundaries and norms for technological development. 402 is willing to take the lead in this, and we welcome participation from all sectors of society."

The press conference lasted two hours. Zuo Cheng answered more than twenty questions, remaining calm throughout and not avoiding any sharp criticisms.

After the press conference, Han Lu sent the public opinion monitoring report to Zuo Cheng. Negative voices were still present, but their proportion had clearly decreased, and more people were beginning to rationally discuss the pros and cons of the technology.

That evening, Zuo Cheng received a message from Li Mingyang. Li Mingyang said, "I watched the press conference; the response was very appropriate. Xingchen Technology is willing to join the industry ethics committee you mentioned."

Zuo Cheng replied, "Thank you. With Xingchen's participation, the committee will carry much more weight."

Li Mingyang said, "This is also our responsibility. We developed the technology together, so we must share the consequences."

Zuo Cheng returned to his office, where Yu Ying was already waiting for him. She said, "That was a good answer."

Zuo Cheng said he had only said what needed to be said.

Yu Ying said, "Are you serious about the industry ethics committee thing?"

Zuo Cheng said, "Of course. Technology is developing too fast, and the ethical framework must keep up. We can't wait until something goes wrong before we try to fix it."

He opened the system panel to check the progress of the eighth branch. The technological foundation for brain-computer interfaces is still insufficient; activation is still some distance away. But today's press conference made him realize that things beyond technology are equally important.

He said, "Kongkong, I'm wondering what the end of the tech tree is."

Yu Ying said, "Didn't you say that all twelve branches were activated?"

Zuo Cheng said that was the system's goal. But my goal is different.

He turned off the control panel and looked out the window at Hangzhou. Night fell, and the city lights gradually came on.

He said, "My goal is to make these technologies truly help those in need." Zhang Wei has stood up, but there are thousands more Zhang Weis waiting. What I want to do is not to light up the technology tree, but to let its light shine on everyone.

Yu Ying walked to his side and took his hand. She said, "You can do it."

Zuo Cheng said, "Let's do it together."

Yu Ying asked, "What's the next step?"

Zuo Cheng said there are two things to do. First, establish an ethics committee, inviting medical experts, legal scholars, ethicists, and patient representatives to jointly develop rules. Second, continue to advance technological iteration; the next generation of chips should be less invasive and have higher signal quality.

Yu Ying said, "It sounds like you're very busy."

Zuo Cheng said he's always been busy. But when he's busy with a purpose, he doesn't feel tired.

That evening, Zuo Cheng stayed alone in his office and wrote an internal email. He sent it to the entire core team of 402, with the subject "Ten Principles of Technology Ethics." The first principle read: The value of technology lies in how many people's lives it makes better.

He clicked send, then leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

The system panel popped up automatically in my mind, displaying a prompt: Ethical framework established, social trust enhanced, eighth branch growth accelerated.

Zuo Cheng looked at the words and a slight smile appeared on his lips. It turned out the system also approved of his choice.

Outside the window, the lights of Hangzhou remain as bright as ever. Tomorrow will be another new day, and 402 will usher in a new beginning.