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 commercialized 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 settlement on Mars.
Some dismissed him as an unrealistic dreamer.
But Stark was actually turning one seemingly impossible idea after another into reality.
Thanks to these groundbreaking moves, he became the very symbol of "innovation," earning a spot on Time’s list of "The 100 Most Influential People in the World" and even making cameo appearances in Hollywood films, earning the nickname "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.
"Me… 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 me. Right now, I’m someone sleeping curled up on the factory floor, struggling with deficits, and getting mocked for launching ‘the most expensive fireworks in the world’ every time a rocket goes up. And you’re calling me big tech..."
I nodded slowly.
"Of course, you’re not big tech right now. ‘Not yet.’"
Not yet.
It meant not at this moment, but that he would become 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 timeline. 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 become big tech…
It was time 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 become big tech."
I was using his own logic against him to reject him.
However,
‘Will this be enough?’
As expected, Stark was not someone 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 me. I’ll be different from other big techs."
Just a moment 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 become big, I won’t turn into them. I’m fundamentally 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, some 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 mean to exclude me?"
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 time to unite all available forces at any cost…"
I let out a deep sigh inside.
‘Now he’s defining me as an enemy again.’
Apparently, in his worldview, there were only two kinds of people: enemies and allies.
At first, he was wary of me as an enemy, then considered me 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 me an enemy.
‘As expected, too extreme.’
In many ways, we were fundamentally incompatible.
At that moment, he stared at me 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 me above all else. Since you’re refusing, I can only think you have some hidden agenda."
"Hidden agenda?"
"A Wall Street guy casually puts up a billion dollars, wouldn’t anyone come to the same conclusion?"
I looked straight at him and asked.
"So you’re suspecting that I’m investing in Next AI to make some 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 numerous AI startups."
"You never know. You might be scheming some 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 some financial scam.
‘This is… troublesome.’
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 someone 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 me.
"So if I don’t accept you as an ally, you’ll interpret it as proof that I have some impure agenda beyond AI safety… Is that what you mean?"
"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 me.
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 method, I also knew well how to escape this trap.
With a meaningful 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 excitement shone in Stark’s eyes.
He seemed certain he had won.
But I immediately added.
"However, I wonder if you’ll really want that. Because joining us comes with strict conditions."
"What conditions?"
"First of all, I will require the entire investment amount to be paid upfront in full. No installment payments 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 member, and regardless of the size of your investment, no special speaking rights will be granted."
"I understand that as well."
"Furthermore, the only founder is Alex. No one, including me, shares that title. Also, the final authority to appoint or dismiss board members belongs solely to Alex, and he can revoke your seat on the board at any time without needing to provide a justified reason."
In other words, you could be kicked out at any moment for no reason.
"Also, your investment 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 same speaking rights as other members who paid nothing. You can be kicked out at any time, and even then, your investment 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 welcome you with open arms."
......
Stark fell silent as if he had lost his words.
Practically speaking, it meant paying money, having no say, and being at risk of being kicked out anytime — 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 investment. 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 immediately 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 moment 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 treatment 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 moment 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 immediately, 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 accomplishments. 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 become 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, seemed to have certain expectations for this development. 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 time or financial resources."
Stark was already busy beyond belief with Teslaan and Space Z alone, not to mention 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 claimed to "make the impossible possible," you have to stick to that concept.
"Moreover, you are fundamentally different from other big tech CEOs who chase only profits. When it comes 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 someone else to take on that role instead."
If you quit now, someone else will take your place.
Could you really stand to watch someone else become the protagonist?
At those final words, deep wrinkles formed on Stark’s brow.
The thought of someone 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 investment 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 investment immediately.
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 become 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 me right now. Most people are skeptical when they first hear my predictions."
Yes, people never believed me at first.
But what happened every time after that?
I looked straight into his eyes and finished.
"Take it as a gamble and just wait until December. When that time comes, a completely new path will open up before you."