"It is an honor to et the person I’ve only heard rumors about."
Saying this, Alex Sanders extended his hand for a handshake.
‘He's surprisingly ordinary, isn't he?’
His appearance was exactly as I had seen in photos before. A long face, pale skin, and a gentle smile. At first glance, he seed like just a kind and harmless college student.
His outfit was also typical campus fashion.
A gray hoodie, worn-out chinos, and scuffed sneakers.
For soone who was supposed to be the head of a huge organization that would move the world, he seed to lack charisma…
‘Or maybe not?’
His eyes were different, though.
In his blue eyes, a sharp and firm insight flashed.
Well, this wasn’t the ti for such thoughts.
I also shook his hand and said,
“It’s a pleasure to et you. I’ve been wanting to et you for a long ti.”
“?”
A subtle look of confusion passed over his face.
“I didn’t expect soone from Wall Street to know .”
At the mont, Alex Sanders was running a startup accelerator nad "Hatchwork."
Hatchwork helped early-stage startups by providing funding and ntoring, paving the way for their growth. He was the famous figure from Silicon Valley who had helped create unicorns like Dropbox and Airbnb.
However, he wasn’t that well-known in traditional financial sectors like Wall Street.
So, it was surprising that I knew him.
I smiled softly and replied,
“I’ve been looking into the startup ecosystem with an interest in early-stage investnts, and your na kept coming up. You’re well-known, even among those who know the finance world.”
“Ah, I see.”
I had thrown in a bit of flattery, but his expression didn’t change.
‘Seems like he doesn’t have much vanity.’
For soone like him, excessive praise would be counterproductive.
I had to be careful.
“I’ve heard that you’ve made an interesting announcent recently, and I wanted to discuss it. How about a walk? There are so great spots to walk around here.”
He suggested the walk.
It was a signal that he wanted to talk in a place where we could avoid prying eyes.
I had a rough idea of what the topic might be.
‘He probably won’t give an invitation directly.’
In the past, Next AI had only invited a select few investors.
To get into that circle, you had to pass a difficult qualification review.
In other words, this was…
‘Is this so sort of first-round interview?’
The first hurdle to enter Next AI.
I accepted his invitation readily.
“Sounds good.”
###
The Consciousness Summit was being held at the Isalen Institute, which overlooked the Pacific Ocean.
Around the institute, a coastal walkway ran through a red cedar forest.
“Let’s go this way.”
Alex Sanders, who had been visiting this place every year, led the way with a familiar stride.
There was no conversation between them as they left the event venue.
It wasn’t just because there were too many ears around, though…
It was more because his head was filled with complicated thoughts.
‘Is he truly a good fit…?’
Alex had already begun to solidify the blueprint for Next AI.
But for his grand vision to beco a reality, two things were crucial.
Talent and money.
Recruiting talent was relatively easy.
Alex was already a well-known figure in Silicon Valley.
The problem, however, was with the money.
Most investors interested in AI were focused solely on profit.
However, the Next AI Alex envisioned was a strictly non-profit organization.
Investors who only cared about profit wouldn’t show interest.
He had approached many wealthy individuals who were interested in charitable causes, but there had been no clear results.
Then, during the summit, he had heard news about Ha Si-heon.
—Orca is donating $1 billion for rare disease treatnt… If there’s AI technology involved, pitch it…
One billion dollars. That was an enormous amount.
"Ha Si-heon…?"
That was a na Alex was familiar with.
The Theranos incident had sent a massive shockwave through Silicon Valley.
Ha Si-heon was the one who had exposed the dark side of Silicon Valley's “moonshot” culture.
Afterward, he had been raising awareness about the soaring prices of Valeant’s drugs and unethical practices, emphasizing corporate social responsibility.
Before that, he had even spoken out against racism through the Epicura incident.
‘He must be soone with good intentions…’
He definitely seed that way. But for so reason, a strange discomfort lingered in Alex's mind.
Why did he feel this way?
At that mont, his gaze shifted to the tips of Ha Si-heon’s shoes.
There, a pair of brand-new white sneakers sparkled in the sunlight.
“New sneakers, huh?”
“Yeah. I hardly get a chance to wear them in New York, so I thought I’d bring them out this ti.”
“I see.”
Alex answered, but a question popped into his mind.
‘Can’t you wear sneakers in New York, too?’
Even if not during work hours…
At least after work, for a jog, or during the weekend walks in the park.
But he quickly understood.
Ha Si-heon was far removed from that kind of life.
He wasn’t soone who would wear sneakers.
He had only worn them here to fit in with the free-spirited atmosphere, but in reality, he ca from a completely different world, one that didn’t share this culture.
‘Well, that does fit.’
Ha Si-heon exuded a unique aura that couldn't be explained by just the word "urban."
His perfectly grood appearance, the luxury watch subtly shining on his wrist, and the refined ease in his tone and actions.
He was, without a doubt, a Wall Street person.
And that fact made Alex uneasy.
‘No matter what his track record is, fundantally, he’s a hedge fund manager.’
And in hedge funds, profit always ca first.
There were often rumors that even technology patents were considered re assets, bundled together into portfolios and sold.
‘Could it be…?’
Could there be so hidden agenda behind his so-called "moonshot"?
A cunning plan to seize technology behind the guise of a noble cause like the “rare disease project”…?
Of course, judging by his actions so far, this seed unlikely.
But if his background was in hedge funds?
It wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.
‘But…'
Suddenly, another thought flashed through Alex’s mind.
‘Ha Si-heon, the largest sponsor of the Castleman Foundation.’
It had been revealed that Ha Si-heon was indeed the largest donor to the Castleman Foundation.
Not only had he promised to develop a cure in words, but he had already invested substantial funds long ago.
‘This could be for show, but…’
There were also nurous stories on social dia testifying to Ha Si-heon’s sincerity.
—Orca ca to our hospital…
—I heard he’s covering all the expenses for the VIP patient rooms?
—At my friend’s funeral, Ha Si-heon ca. Despite being an uninsured patient, he supported the treatnt costs and even paid for the most advanced tests…
If all these testimonies are true?
Ha Si-heon wasn’t just making an image; he was genuinely an ethical person.
But…
‘Which is it?’
While Alex was lost in these complex thoughts, they reached the walking path.
Confirming that no one was around, Alex slowly began to speak.
“You declared that you would use AI for rare disease treatnt.”
Alex looked Ha Si-heon directly in the eyes and spoke.
“I think it’s a bold challenge. The fusion of healthcare and AI is sothing everyone knows has potential, but it’s one of the most difficult fields in reality. dical data involves huge costs, from refinent to interpretation.”
“But there’s much to gain from it.”
‘Much to gain.’
That phrase struck Alex’s heart.
It was the typical reaction of AI investors calculating the return on investnt.
Could it be that Ha Si-heon wasn’t any different from them?
“If you have a billion dollars, then yes, there’s surely potential for remarkable progress.”
Alex said with a bitter smile.
Normally, when such things were discussed, investors would talk about a rosy future.
But Ha Si-heon’s reaction was different.
His face darkened instantly.
“Remarkable progress… well, I’m not so sure.”
“Do you think it’s not possible?”
“Well, if you disregard thods and ans, sure, it’s possible. But healthcare is different.”
This… was an unexpected answer.
“Don’t you have to handle patient data? There’s a constraint where you have to advance technology without infringing on privacy. It’s uncertain whether success can be achieved compared to other AI fields.”
Alex’s heart began to race.
Ha Si-heon was saying the very words Alex most wanted to hear.
‘He’s concerned about ethics.’
This was exactly why Alex wanted to establish Next AI.
To prevent the dangers that blind developnt could bring.
Especially in healthcare, the risks were much greater.
But,
“That’s not all. AI fundantally learns from the data provided. What happens if that data is constructed based on efficiency or profitability, rather than the quality of treatnt? Ultimately, the AI would optimize for those factors.”
Ha Si-heon was precisely addressing Alex’s concerns.
“This is just the beginning. Bias is also a serious issue. For example, if AI learns from dical data centered around white people, it could make inappropriate judgnts for other races. In healthcare, such errors won’t just be mistakes. We’re dealing with lives here.”
This wasn’t just a superficial understanding.
Ha Si-heon was addressing the ethical dilemmas faced by healthcare and AI, as if he had been contemplating these issues for a long ti.
However, Of course, this was all an act.
Ha Si-heon already knew the mission of Next AI.
‘We’re after sowhat different goals, but…’
Knowing the answer and not using it is foolish. So Ha Si-heon recited the answers he had seen before.
“Especially, there’s the danger when such technology falls into the wrong hands. Competition might heat up, and so could make wrong choices…”
As Ha Si-heon continued speaking, a bright smile spread across Alex’s face.
‘I’ve finally found him.’
An investor who prioritizes ethics.
Alex wanted to share his plans with Ha Si-heon right away, but
‘Calm down.’
He barely restrained his excitent.
He had colleagues to consider.
He couldn’t make unilateral decisions.
“How long will you be in California?”
At the sudden question, Ha Si-heon tilted his head.
“I have a gathering with acquaintances soon, and I’d like to invite you. I believe you’ll find the conversation quite engaging since you’re interested in such topics.”
“Interested in such topics, you say…”
Ha Si-heon pondered the words for a mont, then smiled brightly and replied,
“I plan to stay in California for two weeks. If you invite , I’ll be happy to make ti.”
#
The conversation with Alex Sanders ended on a positive note.
Though no investnt proposal ca out of that eting, the very ntion of ‘invitation’ held great aning.
‘Is this like a second-round interview?’
Co to think of it, in today’s world, even job applications often involve third or fourth rounds of interviews.
So, it was unlikely that he would invite imdiately.
In any case, I had passed the first hurdle safely.
Not a bad outco.
The remaining schedule of the summit passed quickly.
The next day, Schmitt ca to find .
“You never ntioned anything about rare disease treatnts, did you?”
His face was filled with a deep sense of injustice.
It was understandable.
He had originally rejected “selfish private equity investnts,” and now, due to my little play, he had sohow beco the person who “ignored rare disease patients.”
“Talking about rare diseases is quite personal… I’ve ant to ntion it at so point, but it seed like you weren’t keen on speaking with , so I never had the chance.”
I considered teasing him a little more, but…
Schmitt was still an important person for .
It was wise to offer reconciliation here.
“Actually, I understand your concerns. Fund investnts co with many restrictions. But, what if we change the main entity?”
“Change it to…?”
“I’d like to invest in Tempest as an individual, not through a company. I can provide the full $200 million needed.”
His gaze faltered.
$200 million was no small amount.
But for , it was an amount I could easily handle.
The profits I made from the Allergan campaign alone, excluding employee bonuses, were about $2 billion.
“But, I need a seat on the board. However, the only matter I’ll be involved in as a director is the Castleman research. If you provide a small team for the Castleman research, I won’t involve myself in any other managent decisions.”
Schmitt mulled over my proposal for a mont.
However, there was no reason for him to refuse.
Not only would $200 million flow in, but
‘He could escape the stigma of ignoring rare diseases. I was even guaranteeing complete autonomy in managent except for the Castleman research.’
“You’re saying that you’re investing as an individual, not through the fund?”
“Exactly.”
“Then, I accept.”
The deal was sealed.
Though there were still two companies that had rejected my investnt, that was just a matter of ti.
“I’ll be at Rosewood Sand Hill for two weeks. If you want to discuss the investnt, feel free to co by anyti.”
I casually let everyone I t at the summit know where I’d be staying.
The rumor that an investor willing to give away $1 billion almost without conditions was staying in California spread quickly.
Eventually, the two companies I had proposed investnts to also ca running.
“I hear this is a personal moonshot project. Are you investing as an individual?”
“Yes.”
Like Schmitt, they seed relieved to know it was a personal investnt rather than a fund.
And so, I signed contracts with them as well, spending a hectic few days.
The news of my investnt reached many more AI developers.
I carefully reviewed each of their proposals.
Perhaps there were technologies from my past life that had disappeared without getting a chance.
After several busy days, I finally received the awaited contact.
It was Alex Sanders.
“I wanted to check if you could attend the eting I ntioned earlier.”
It was the second-round interview.
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