Chapter 535
The staff quickly noticed the tense atmosphere and discreetly adjusted the air conditioning.
The temperature in the conference room rose to a more comfortable level.
On the massive screen, an AI-driven car and a manually operated vehicle raced side by side, both equipped with identical chips and systems from the same manufacturer.
The AI vehicle displayed remarkable adaptability across various terrains—whether navigating steep mountain roads or uneven waterways.
It decelerated smoothly at traffic lights.
It slowed down for sudden road hazards.
It maneuvered effortlessly around obstacles.
It waited patiently for pedestrians.
In emergencies, its automatic braking system activated flawlessly.
Precise. Controlled. Yet dynamic.
The AI car demonstrated every advantage of human-like driving, even overcoming sudden deceleration caused by human error with perfect agility.
In simulations, its performance was flawless.
But in this real-world test, something had gone wrong.
Every attendee scrutinized the data, unwilling to miss even the slightest anomaly.
Evelyn Sinclair leaned forward, her sharp gaze locked onto the screen.
Something was off.
Yet all indicators remained within normal parameters.
Across the table, Nathan Blackwood studied Evelyn briefly before shifting his attention back to the footage.
His dark eyes were unreadable, his expression grim as he analyzed both the demonstration and the records of the malfunctioning vehicle.
Silence weighed heavily in the room. The crash from the video served as a brutal reminder of what was at stake.
The same incident had occurred in Europe.
When the footage ended, someone from the European team broke the silence. "Did anyone spot the issue?"
No one answered.
Evelyn tapped the table. "Emily Whitaker, your analysis?"
She addressed the lead AI scientist, whose expertise was undisputed in this field.
Emily responded without hesitation. "The chip's performance metrics are optimal, operating within the 0-1 response range. Thirty seconds before impact, the system issued a turn command. Ten seconds prior, it ordered an emergency stop."
Her voice remained steady. "Yet the vehicle still lost control."
A man scoffed. "That’s a whole lot of technical jargon to say nothing. If the AI controls the car, then the system must be at fault."
Another executive chimed in. "If everything was functioning perfectly, why did the crash happen?"
Tensions escalated.
Evelyn exhaled sharply, her patience thinning. She glanced at Nathan, whose jaw was clenched in silent frustration.
If he wasn’t speaking yet, it meant he was still processing.
She cut through the noise, her voice sharp. "Gentlemen, we’re here to determine the cause, not debate hypotheticals."
The room quieted.
Evelyn pressed on. "Emily, are you certain the AI system isn’t responsible?"
Emily hesitated only briefly. "Absolutely."
Murmurs of disbelief followed.
If the technology wasn’t to blame—then what was?