Chapter 251: Stark (2)
“But you are big tech itself, aren’t you?”
#251. Stark (2)
In November 2015, Stark was already a celebrity even at this point.
Teslaan, the company he had built, had comrcialized the world’s first electric car capable of long-distance travel, and his recently launched self-driving models were transforming the paradigm of the automotive industry.
However, his ambition did not stop there.
Through Space Z, Stark opened a new chapter for private companies in the space industry and publicly declared a bold vision of establishing a human settlent on Mars.
So dismissed him as an unrealistic drear.
But Stark was actually turning one seemingly impossible idea after another into reality.
Thanks to these groundbreaking moves, he beca the very symbol of "innovation," earning a spot on Ti’s list of "The 100 Most Influential People in the World" and even making cao appearances in Hollywood films, earning the nickna "the real-life superhero."
However, all this praise was not for Stark’s "present" but rather derived from expectations for his "potential" and "future."
At this point, neither Teslaan nor Space Z had achieved definitive success yet.
That’s why Stark’s reaction now was entirely natural.
"… a big tech?"
Pointing to himself, Stark asked, then slowly added with a wry smile.
"It sounds sweet to hear. But…"
A mischievous smile appeared on his lips.
"That crown doesn’t suit . Right now, I’m soone sleeping curled up on the factory floor, struggling with deficits, and getting mocked for launching ‘the most expensive fireworks in the world’ every ti a rocket goes up. And you’re calling big tech..."
I nodded slowly.
"Of course, you’re not big tech right now. ‘Not yet.’"
Not yet.
It ant not at this mont, but that he would beco one soon.
"I’m confident you will soon completely reshape the electric vehicle market. I believe Teslaan’s value will soon surpass that of all existing car companies combined. And on top of that, Space Z will dominate the space industry, reaching an unrivaled position. In fact, all these revolutions will happen within just five years."
"Five years… you’re quite the optimist."
Stark looked skeptical, but I shrugged.
"Well, it’s understandable to doubt my tiline. But… deep down, you know it too, don’t you? Whether it happens sooner or later, you’ll eventually stand at the very top of big tech."
He couldn’t refute it.
Stark had always challenged every limit with his motto, "Nothing is impossible."
And if these challenges succeeded, it was already an inevitable future that he would lead the birth of big tech.
Yet, to deny that future himself?
"Impossible."
Now that I had convinced Stark he would eventually beco big tech…
It was ti to move to the next step.
"But as you said yourself, Next AI must remain completely free from the capital and influence of large corporations. With that principle in place, we cannot accept you as a partner when you inevitably beco big tech."
I was using his own logic against him to reject him.
However,
‘Will this be enough?’
As expected, Stark was not soone who would back down easily.
He lightly shrugged and spoke with a resolute gaze.
"Even if what you say is true, that alone isn’t enough to exclude . I’ll be different from other big techs."
Just a mont ago, he had argued that big techs were evil and should never monopolize AI…
Now he had completely flipped his stance, claiming that other "bad" big techs couldn’t be allowed, but he himself should be the exception.
"Even if I beco big, I won’t turn into them. I’m fundantally different from CEOs obsessed with maintaining dominance. As you can see, I’m still an engineer devoted to solving real-world problems. I still spend nights on the factory floor, getting my hands dirty."
When he pronounced the word "engineer," his voice carried a clear sense of pride.
Stark defined himself as a creator, an innovator.
But I quietly countered with a bitter smile.
"Other big techs also started in garages. They weren’t evil from the start either. As you know, so even had ‘Don’t be evil’ as their founding motto. But what about now?"
"It’s not that I personally distrust you. But when an organization grows large, its stances and values inevitably change. Next AI can’t afford to take that risk. This organization must remain a democratic open-source group for everyone, not a tool for private corporate interests."
No exceptions.
Big tech must be excluded, no matter what.
At my firm words, Stark’s gaze gradually darkened.
The playful look that had just been on his face vanished, leaving only a cold, expressionless stare.
"So, in the end, no matter what justification you use, you an to exclude ?"
As he spoke, the corner of his mouth twisted.
There was now an unmistakable hostility in his eyes that he no longer even tried to hide.
"I don’t understand. If you truly recognize the danger of AI, you should know that now is the ti to unite all available forces at any cost…"
I let out a deep sigh inside.
‘Now he’s defining as an enemy again.’
Apparently, in his worldview, there were only two kinds of people: enemies and allies.
At first, he was wary of as an enemy, then considered a comrade when he realized I also saw AI as a threat.
And now that I refused his offer to join, he had again labeled an enemy.
‘As expected, too extre.’
In many ways, we were fundantally incompatible.
At that mont, he stared at with a cold gaze and asked sharply.
"I’m curious about your true intentions. What is your real priority? If you truly cared about AI safety, you should prioritize working with above all else. Since you’re refusing, I can only think you have so hidden agenda."
"Hidden agenda?"
"A Wall Street guy casually puts up a billion dollars, wouldn’t anyone co to the sa conclusion?"
I looked straight at him and asked.
"So you’re suspecting that I’m investing in Next AI to make so kind of profit?"
"That would be a reasonable deduction."
"Well. If profit were my goal, wouldn’t it make more sense to invest in promising startups instead of a nonprofit organization like this? In fact, I’m already investing in nurous AI startups."
"You never know. You might be scheming so Wall Street-style financial engineering I can’t even imagine…"
In short, he was implying that I might be using Next AI as a cover for so financial scam.
‘This is… troubleso.’
If Stark spread rumors that "Next AI is nothing but a facade, just a puppet for Wall Street," what would happen?
Even now, he was a giant in the tech industry and admired as a revolutionary of the era.
If soone like Stark discredited Next AI, many people who trusted his reputation would start viewing us with suspicion.
In other words, Stark was now using his position to pressure .
"So if I don’t accept you as an ally, you’ll interpret it as proof that I have so impure agenda beyond AI safety… Is that what you an?"
"I just want to clarify your true priorities. A person’s essence is revealed by their priorities."
How should I put it?
His approach now felt strangely familiar to .
This type of "persuasion" was a tactic I myself often used.
However, being on the receiving end was a very unfamiliar experience.
But, as they say, those who make poison also know the best antidotes.
Since it was a familiar thod, I also knew well how to escape this trap.
With a aningful smile, I slowly opened my mouth.
"If you’re going to force a choice that far, then of course, I’ll choose to accept you as an ally."
A flash of victorious excitent shone in Stark’s eyes.
He seed certain he had won.
But I imdiately added.
"However, I wonder if you’ll really want that. Because joining us cos with strict conditions."
"What conditions?"
"First of all, I will require the entire investnt amount to be paid upfront in full. No installnt paynts or conditional funding allowed."
Upfront, and all at once.
Without hesitation, he answered.
"Of course, that’s possible."
Of course.
But my conditions were only just beginning.
"Additionally, Next AI operates under a strictly democratic decision-making system. Your vote will be exactly equal to that of every other mber, and regardless of the size of your investnt, no special speaking rights will be granted."
"I understand that as well."
"Furthermore, the only founder is Alex. No one, including , shares that title. Also, the final authority to appoint or dismiss board mbers belongs solely to Alex, and he can revoke your seat on the board at any ti without needing to provide a justified reason."
In other words, you could be kicked out at any mont for no reason.
"Also, your investnt is legally defined as a 'donation,' and even if there are changes to the board or shifts in project direction, it can never be recovered."
In short?
You pay the entire amount upfront, and despite giving a huge sum, you only get the sa speaking rights as other mbers who paid nothing. You can be kicked out at any ti, and even then, your investnt won't be refunded.
‘Would he still insist on joining even under these conditions?’
My strategy was simple.
Extend an invitation, but attach unreasonable conditions so that Stark would refuse on his own.
"If you can accept all these conditions, we are always ready to welco you with open arms."
......
Stark fell silent as if he had lost his words.
Practically speaking, it ant paying money, having no say, and being at risk of being kicked out anyti — what entrepreneur would jump into that after hearing such ridiculous terms?
I caught the subtle hesitation in his expression and continued speaking.
"Honestly, this is why I didn't want to invite you in the first place. I personally have no problem with this kind of investnt. After all, I don't possess specialized technical expertise. In other words, all I need to do is provide capital. But... you, on the other hand, would surely bring valuable technical insight, wouldn't you? Under these conditions, though, your opinions would be treated completely equally to everyone else's. To reflect your views, you'd have to persuade the entire board and endure tedious consensus-building processes. Can you really endure that?"
"Should I call it the fate of an innovator? You have a vision that ordinary people can't see, so to you, the right answers must be crystal clear. But ordinary people won't imdiately understand your innovative thinking. Walking in step with such people... can you truly be patient enough for that?"
"Even if you could endure it, honestly, I question whether that's desirable for the world. A pioneer like you can achieve true innovation only when you boldly push forward your vision without shackles."
"Then perhaps we could consider restructuring the decision-making system..."
As expected, Stark tried to steer the conversation toward gaining more authority for himself.
But I shook my head firmly with a bitter smile.
"That is impossible. The core identity of Next AI is as a democratic, open-source community. The mont we grant special privileges to one individual in an organization where ideals and principles are its lifeblood, our very reason for existing collapses."
There would be no special treatnt under any circumstances.
At those words, open dissatisfaction spread across Stark’s face.
I lowered my voice and whispered.
"Rather than that... isn’t there a way for you to demonstrate your extraordinary talent even more effectively?"
The mont a spark of curiosity appeared in his eyes, I quickly continued.
"Instead of being shackled by this frustrating democratic system, how about establishing your own independent AI company? A company where you don’t have to seek anyone’s approval, where you can make a decision and execute it imdiately, and where you hold all the power."
Yes, rather than trying so hard to join our group, just start your own company.
"Why did you choose the path of an entrepreneur in the first place? Wasn't it to freely realize your vision without such constraints? If you fly solo, you could achieve even greater accomplishnts. I simply don’t understand why you would try to clip your own wings by mingling with us."
Why bother joining nobodies like us?
If you beco the CEO, you can do whatever you want.
"In fact, that would even be far more advantageous in the war against big tech. Can a democratic, open-source group ever outpace giants like GooB? It’s close to impossible. But with a company led by you... not only could you catch up with them, you could completely surpass them."
You could crush big tech all by yourself.
However, Stark finally spoke up in the last stretch.
"That’s not realistic. They’re already frontrunners and have advanced so far ahead."
But I cut him off.
"No, you are Aaron Stark. There’s no such thing as impossible for you, right?"
Yes, you've always presented yourself as the man who turns the impossible into possible.
So shouldn’t you act in line with that character?
Only then did Stark seem to realize that things were going in a direction different from what he intended. Anyone could see this conversation was steering him toward founding an independent AI company.
Judging by the subtle murmurs in the audience, they, too, seed to have certain expectations for this developnt. But Stark took a deep breath and gave an honest answer.
"I would like to do that, but... realistically, it’s impossible. I don’t have enough ti or financial resources."
Stark was already busy beyond belief with Teslaan and Space Z alone, not to ntion the various other companies he was running simultaneously.
He had started too many ventures, and most of them still hadn't fully escaped the swamp of deficits. At this point, starting a new company would be an overly reckless challenge.
But I rebutted firmly.
"I do acknowledge that it’s not an easy path. But I believe you can absolutely do it. You’re Aaron Stark, after all."
‘Saying it’s impossible? That’s a pretty weak line from you.’
If you’ve always claid to "make the impossible possible," you have to stick to that concept.
"Moreover, you are fundantally different from other big tech CEOs who chase only profits. When it cos to what’s right and what benefits humanity, you’re the type who spares no effort. Everyone knows that."
You’ve been saying you work for the future of all humanity, right?
Then even if it's tough, you have to see it through.
"Of course, if you truly judge it to be impossible... I’ll have to look for soone else to take on that role instead."
If you quit now, soone else will take your place.
Could you really stand to watch soone else beco the protagonist?
At those final words, deep wrinkles ford on Stark’s brow.
The thought of soone else taking the role as the new icon of the AI revolution clearly made him uncomfortable.
I smiled and gently continued.
"Of course, in your heart, you probably want to take on this challenge. But realistically, the biggest obstacle would be the initial investnt funds. After all, founding a company requires an enormous amount of capital."
In other words, to start a company, he would need external investors rather than using his own money.
Given that Stark had so many ongoing projects without visible success yet, it would be difficult to secure investnt imdiately.
But that problem could also be solved.
"Soon, you’ll hit an enormous turning point. According to my analysis, by next month, you’ll suddenly rise to beco a global star. When that happens, just announcing that you’re founding an AI company will bring investors from around the world flocking to you. At that point, gathering funds will be as easy as pie."
Next month.
Stark’s reusable rocket would achieve an incredible milestone: the first successful retrieval of a launch vehicle in history.
Based on this, Stark would rapidly grow and make a leap as a global icon.
"Isn’t that a bit too optimistic? Eagle hasn’t yet shown such results…"
"No. You will definitely succeed. You’re Aaron Stark."
I said that firmly and gave a wise smile.
"Of course, it might be hard to fully believe right now. Most people are skeptical when they first hear my predictions."
Yes, people never believed at first.
But what happened every ti after that?
I looked straight into his eyes and finished.
"Take it as a gamble and just wait until December. When that ti cos, a completely new path will open up before you."
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