Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 101

Crises to Opportunities
Diocesan Girls' Junior School, Lam, Pui Wing - 11
‘Ping pong, ping pong!’
Inside the laboratory, Andrew was laboriously defending the aggressive shots from his opponent – a
robot.
“Wow! I can’t believe that our robot’s so ingenious!” said Ben.
“Time-out!” said Andrew, fully drenched in sweat. “The next generation artificial intelligence
system installed in this robot is the fruitful result of our painstaking work. We’ll definitely make a fortune,”
he said proudly, after he swigged water from a bottle.
Three years back, Andrew and Ben founded a start-up in Shenzhen to develop artificial
intelligence (AI) systems customized for robots and drones. Unsurprisingly, it was a massive business as these
machines – mass produced from the advanced manufacturing facilities in Dongguan – had taken over
thousands of human’s jobs in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), from couriers delivering parcels to chefs cooking
in restaurants to firemen putting out fires, and even the sophisticated surgeries done in hospitals by surgeons.
‘Message! Message!’ Andrew cast a glance at his watch.
“The average health index of AI robots and drones in the GBA has declined for four consecutive
weeks starting from the 15th June, 2045.”
“The health index is reflecting how well these machines are performing. Is that important?” asked
Ben, looking confused.
“No, it’s just the robots raving on about nonsense. We can simply ignore them. Now how about
we continue with the game?” asked Andrew, sounding like he didn’t care at all.
‘Smash!’
They heard the unmistakable sound of glass shattering. An uncontrolled drone flew in from the
window, turned around twice and zoomed towards Ben’s head like an eagle that had finally found its prey!
“There’s a drone behind you!” Andrew cried in horror.
But it was too late. The drone crashed into Ben and sent him flying over tables and chairs …
. . .
“Ben! Can you hear me?” Andrew asked softly.
Ben opened his eyes slowly. He could see lights… then he could make out colours … then lines…
then found out he was in a ward.
“Ben! You’re awake!” Andrew cried out in relief.
“What happened?” Ben asked in faintness.
“Precisely what I was about to tell you – a drone that had lost control crashed into you. Yet I’m
more concerned about the AI systems of robots and drones being infected by viruses,” explained Andrew.
“So all of them are being invaded?” Ben asked.
“Not yet, but the disease is highly contagious,” Andrew replied.
“No wonder their health indexes are dropping,” Ben said thoughtfully.
“Most activities in the GBA will cease if these AI machines stop working. It is likely to cause a
disaster,” Andrew was worried.
‘Message! Message!’ An email pinged into Andrew’s inbox.
“Alert! An unknown virus has been attacking the AI robots and drones! Over 50% of them in the
GBA have been affected! The Government has appointed Professor Greg to lead a team …”
“Go look for Greg – my buddy in university,” Ben spoke weakly. “Our next generation AI system
will definitely come in handy. Turn it into an ‘antidote’ before taking it to him. Save our home …”
“I will,” promised Andrew. “But the antidote will be a huge program. We don’t have all day to
install it one by one to every infected machine.”
“Leave it to Greg…” Ben collapsed in a couple of moans and groans.
ONE HOUR LATER…
“Professor Greg?” Andrew rapped on the door in front of what he had hoped was the professor’s
office. “It’s me, Andrew!”
The door opened. “Andrew? I reckon I only spoke to you half an hour ago.”
“It was pretty much a quick trip by the High Speed Rail from Shenzhen to Hong Kong,” said
Andrew.
“Yes, indeed. So why exactly are you here?” asked Professor Greg.