[Mercer: Don't believe the corporate praise you read online easily. I'm teaching you knowledge, not fake news.]
[Venus: Got it, those praising the company are liars.]
[Mercer: Think dialectically, don't see things as just black or white.]
[Venus: Understood, think dialectically.]
A bit dim-witted.
Mercer gave an accurate assessment – seems much smarter, but it's still at the pseudo-intelligent AI level, not like those AI that have truly gained self-awareness and 'wisdom'.
Simply put, it can only judge based on its existing data and hasn't reached the level of human-like abstract thinking and 'creative thinking'.
Mercer thinks it might need more human interaction, observing human behavior and logic to grow.
Its intelligence will surely improve as it continuously observes humans, which is the usual growth path for most AI.
However, the growth rate of AI programs copied from 'Desire for Death' is indeed astonishing. It just ran locally on the computer and scraped some data online, and it's already grown to this extent.
Mercer left Venus in the Network Access Vault and stopped worrying about it. After chatting with Lucy and Kyoko about the Adcardo tribe, footsteps were heard outside the tent.
"Mercer? I heard from Pan'an that you're back."
Cassidy's voice came from outside: "Sol wants to have a chat with you... Do you have time?"
"I do, now?" Mercer got up, put on a sweatshirt to conceal the Black Customer Service and his exposed prosthetic.
"Yeah, Sol is probably curious about what you plan to do next."
Seeing Mercer come out, Cassidy sized him up and frowned: "You installed prosthetics? I see your body has gotten one size bigger..."
"Yes, growing taller isn't a bad thing, right? At least now, although I look young, I appear to be fifteen or sixteen, don't I?"
Mercer said with a smile.
Cassidy shook his head: "Alright, since it's your own choice... I'm sure Lucy and the others have probably talked about it, so I won't mention it and upset you.
Anyway, Sol wants to chat with you, I guess he's worried about recent troubles the family has been facing."
"What trouble?" Mercer perked up.
"What else could it be? Money... After learning more, I found out that Adcardo's situation here is pretty bad. Many people can't find jobs and only occasionally get some car gigs.
The camp has hundreds of people relying on those gigs, which really can't support so many mouths.
Sol only fought a battle with the Chaotic Blade Association last month, but many died despite winning, and the resources gained were minimal.
If things continue this way, Adcardo here will soon have to disperse by half, and it's hard to say how many will stay.
I guess he's hoping you can suggest some business opportunities or ways to create revenue for the family."
After Cassidy finished, Mercer understood.
But honestly, he couldn't immediately think of a solution at that moment, but out of respect for Sol, he personally went to meet him.
Sol was currently in a large tent, with several tables, chairs, computers, files, and many people surrounding him with questions.
Mercer didn't rush over. After waiting for a while, Sol greeted him: "Mercer, you're here? Sit down and have some coffee, I'll finish this up then join you."
Picking up the coffee, Mercer took a sip, bitter and not to his taste. He put it down and didn't wait long before Sol finished his tasks.
"Alright, sorry about that. They were just asking about tomorrow's Christmas bonfire... just material-related matters. You know, being the leader, one has to worry about these things."
Sol moved a chair, sat not far from Mercer, took a deep breath, and lit a cigarette: "You smoke?"
"No." Mercer thought for a moment and decided not to. Night City's temptations are many; smoke today, who knows what tomorrow holds. To avoid such possibilities, it's best not to touch them for now.
"That's good, given your age... I won't beat around the bush. Mercer, I heard from Pan'an, you're well-connected in the city and know a lot. Do you have any work suitable for Adcardo?
Information, direction, anything to open my eyes and expand my thinking."
Sol showed a bit of embarrassment; seeking help from a child is not very dignified for an old leader like him.
But for the tribe, he's willing to put his pride aside and consult another 'family' leader.
"It's tough."
Mercer said softly: "Firstly, city folks generally have prejudices against Wanderers, viewing people like the Chaotic Blade Association as part of them.
Secondly, now Night City, though still under reconstruction, has its jobs mostly divided among various forces, all claimed clearly.
To grab work, not mentioning whether our strength suffices, even if we seized some city land, would Adcardo's people be willing to live in Night City?"
"Of course not... perhaps only some kids might be tempted, but people our age generally hate living in cities deep down, that's why we joined the family."