Chapter 153: New Testing Ground (8)

The inside of the conference room was careful even with the sound of a single breath.

Not even one person could easily open their mouth.

What I had just said was not something that could be done easily.

The vision I showed was not just a level of industrial innovation, but was closer to a blueprint that completely reorganizes the industrial structure of the entire world.

A few people could not hide their surprise, and a few others chewed over the possibility of reality.

The person who quietly opened his mouth in front of the microphone was Chairman Seo In-cheol of Brightfield Logistics.

In effect, a picture on a much larger scale than the logistics integration platform he suggested earlier had appeared.

He looked at me for a moment and then slowly smiled.

“To be honest, the proposal I made earlier might have sounded a bit old-fashioned. Hahaha.”

A small laughter spread through the conference room.

He also smiled brightly and continued speaking.

“Even so, I have actually been waiting for something like this. No matter how much a logistics company like ours increases efficiency and introduces artificial intelligence, it is eventually useless if that data is not connected with the entire industry.”

He lifted his arm for a moment and pointed at the screen of materials I had prepared.

“The structure Representative Lim spoke of is not simply an industrial nervous system. It means that the flow of energy, parts, and raw materials that we transport will now move like a single organism.”

Director Michael Leonard nodded his head quietly.

Watching that sight, Seo In-cheol added with a gratified smile.

“If that system is completed, our Brightfield Logistics will also move willingly at its center. Logistics is like blood vessels when compared to the human body. It means that a brain to circulate that blood has now been created.”

The inside of the conference room stirred again.

What Chairman Seo In-cheol said was a word of sincere welcome, not competition or pride.

Specialist Joanne Madison spoke.

“May I speak for a moment?”

As the moderator nodded, she leaned her body toward the microphone.

“I am mainly managing logistics and high-tech infrastructure at the Defense Procurement Bureau. What I felt after hearing the proposal of HJ Partners today is that what you mentioned has moved beyond the category of a simple private project. If this structure is realized, I believe the US government also has enough value to review cooperation.”

She, who used to treat me while sharpening her edge quite a bit, cautiously sent a positive signal.

Dr. Alan Park, who was sitting next to her, also continued speaking.

“I also agree. Until now, we have applied AI individually in each field to use it. However, it was still insufficient. Furthermore, there has been no attempt to integrate the data structure of the entire industry to create a single decision-making network. If this is only realized, it will establish itself as a global industrial standard.”

At the words of Joanne and Alan, the other participants also nodded their heads.

At that time, Deputy Director Edison Harper opened his mouth after quenching his throat.

“Director Leonard, if it is promoted in earnest in Korea, the major energy and communication infrastructure companies of the US should also be made to participate. This is an opportunity for joint development beyond cooperation. Through this system, we will be able to prevent crises occurring in the supply chain and prepare a foundation for the industry to grow stably.”

Director Michael Leonard was still there for a while.

After being submerged in thought for a moment, he finally opened his mouth.

“I will speak honestly. Today at this place, we seem to have seen the starting line of a new history. The US government, and our Bureau of Industry and Security as well, will not spare active support if only it can be realized.”

With those words at the end, gentle applause burst out from all over.

I caught my breath for a moment and spoke in front of the microphone.

“Thank you. What I want to say is that it is by no means an impossible future.”

As I slightly lifted my right arm, Secretary Jo immediately moved to the next screen.

A structure where three circles overlapped appeared there.

“Phase 1 is the standardization of industrial data. It is the stage of converting production, logistics, and financial data held by each company into the same format. This has already finished simulation based on the Neural Grid (Neural Grid) of Synapse Tech.”

This time, everyone's gaze pointed at the second circle.

“Phase 2 is the establishment of the industrial AI core. It is the stage where each data flow reacts interdependently and makes decisions by itself according to the situation.”

This time, the third circle slowly shone.

“Lastly, phase 3 is the global hub integration. This is not just simple data sharing between nations, but aims to develop it to a level where AI predicts and adjusts the flow of industry. Eventually, we are moving toward a predictable industry. That is, a future where uncertainty is minimized.”

As I finished speaking, Joanne exhaled deeply and then opened her mouth.

“Does that mean some parts are already in operation?”

I nodded my head and replied.

“Yes, that is right. It is being applied on a trial basis to some energy‧logistics lines in Korea. The data signals about 15 million cases on a daily basis, and as a result, the prediction error rate has decreased by more than 42% compared to the existing one.”

Joanne's eyes sparkled.

Director Leonard also nodded his head repeatedly after uncrossing his arms.

“You didn't just explain the concept, but you even applied it to reality.”

I laughed shortly.

“That is right. However, it is only at the prototype stage for now. Today's place will be the first step to expanding it into a complete system.”

The inside of the conference room was full of a strange heat even amidst the silence.

It was not only because of the lingering feeling of the presentation I gave.

Someone dreamed of a future trade order at this place, and someone felt that they had encountered a new world.

As the moderator delivered the final closing remarks, the conference room was quietly filled with cheers and applause.

The US delegation and Korean businesspeople stood up from their seats one by one.

No one could easily let go of the tension until it ended, but now their expressions looked relieved.

Chairman Kim Moon-ho of Geumcheon Group approached first and shook hands with Director Leonard.

Next to him, Vice Chairman Park Ji-ho of Serin Materials was having a conversation with Joanne Madison while exchanging business cards with each other.

Conversations continued in various places.

Chairman Seo In-cheol also shook hands with several figures and threw a joke.

“I almost had an accident because the bathroom was so urgent. Hahaha.”

At those words, the surroundings became a sea of laughter.

A little later, Director Leonard approached me.

He handed over a business card and suggested.

“I feel like my horizon has broadened thanks to you today. Although it is said that the AI era is coming, there was a strong feeling that it was the distant future, but I have high expectations for the concrete plan.”

I smiled and replied.

“You flatter me. We've just taken the first step.”

“I wonder if the next step will be changing the world if it is this kind of first step. Haha.”

A little later, around the time the conference room atmosphere subsided more warmly.

Joanne Madison approached me.

Unlike the first meeting, curiosity and respect were mixed in her expression instead of sharpness.

“Representative Lim, when I first met you, to be honest, I had doubts. I thought it was unrealistic because it was too perfect.”

I laughed lowly.

“That could happen. After all, doubt is just another name for interest.”

At those words, Joanne burst into a slight laugh.

“Since you say it that way, I am more persuaded. If possible, can you make some time after today's schedule ends?”

I immediately realized her intention.

“Are you talking about an unofficial meeting?”

Joanne nodded her head.

“That is right. There is an issue we also want to discuss more concretely. I want to share opinions first before the formal report.”

A moment of silence flowed.

As if I were troubled, the one who became anxious was Joanne.

I slightly turned my gaze as if calculating the schedule.

That short silence rather made Joanne's heart urgent.

She watched my reaction for a moment and then hurriedly spoke up.

“If today is difficult, even tomorrow is fine. Whether it is morning or evening, I will fit into Representative Lim's schedule.”

In her voice, caution and urgency were strangely mixed.

Joanne Madison is usually a negotiator who makes cold and sharp points more than anyone else, but she was different right now.

She showed a polite attitude while unknowingly clasping her hands together.

“To be honest, my personal curiosity is also great. The vision you showed today was the most impressive proposal I have seen in total among those I have seen so far.”

I still did not answer and lingered.

However, a thin smile spread around my eyes.

Her reaction was not outside of expectations.

“Tomorrow morning might be fine.”

As I slowly spoke up, Joanne's expression immediately brightened.

“Good. Then I will visit the hotel where you are staying tomorrow morning.”

“Good.”

Joanne spoke like that and then took a sip of the glass she was holding.

Now, her eyes curved like a bow and were overflowing with joy.

Exiting the Department of Commerce building like that, my party got into the car.

The afternoon sunlight hit the glass walls of the building and was dazzling.

Several people, including reporters, lingered near the entrance, but as the security guards naturally opened the way, the party got into the car safely.

The moment the car door closed, the air inside the car changed completely.

The breath that was tightly tightened with tension in the conference room seemed to finally be released.

General Manager Han Seung-woo, who was waiting inside the car, asked with a welcome expression.

“Did the meeting end well?”

I nodded my head lightly and replied.

“It was concluded well.”

Secretary Jo Hana took the tablet out of her bag and was quickly organizing something.

As the car began to move, the light of the sunset gradually seeped between the buildings of the city center.

The red sunset spread long beyond the car window.

Han Seung-woo asked repeatedly as if he were curious.

“How was the atmosphere?”

Choi Seo-jun replied instead of me.

“The reaction was much better than expected. And Joanne Madison asked to meet tomorrow morning.”

At those words, General Manager Han Seung-woo's eyes widened.

“What?! That person... really?”

I wore a lowly smile and opened my mouth.

“We decided to have an unofficial meeting tomorrow morning. Since she said she would come to the hotel where we are staying, please prepare.”

In an instant, the air in the car seemed to have stopped.

Han Seung-woo could not hide his excitement and let out a strange sound.

In fact, Director Choi Seo-jun was also trying hard to hold back, wanting to scream while enjoying the joy.

General Manager Han Seung-woo asked again as if he could not believe it.

“Is it for real?”

“It is true. She suggested it directly to the Representative at the end of the meeting.”

At Director Choi's words, Han Seung-woo's face became even brighter.

“Wow, this is nonsense. I heard that meeting that person is a matter of whether you can wait for several months or not....”

I laughed shortly while watching them being happy.

My gaze turned out the window.

I took a breath while looking at the setting sun along with the lights of the cars passing by on the road.