Chapter 416
After finishing their conversation, Charlene and Stewart shifted gears and started talking business.
A short while later, Professor Hancock called Charlene, asking if she was available to attend a panel discussion on artificial intelligence at St. Aurelia’s University the following week.
Truth be told, St. Aurelia’s had sent an official invitation to PrimeStar nearly two weeks ago. Back then, Stewart had been their primary invitee. But after Charlene’s recent paper was published-with its impressive depth and originality, her reputation soared. Now, the university hoped both Stewart and Charlene would join the panel. Charlene hadn’t seriously considered attending before. Since her paper’s release, she’d kept a remarkably low profile, refusing all interview requests. As a result, the public only knew her name, Charlene, but little else. Curiosity swirled around her.
At this point, Charlene and Stewart had become the poster figures for the next generation of Al researchers in the country. Countless students majoring in artificial intelligence dreamed of meeting them in person and asking questions face-to-face.
After some gentle persuasion from Professor Hancock, Charlene finally agreed to attend the event.
The AI panel at St. Aurelia’s promised to be just as grand as the last international conference on artificial intelligence, drawing experts, scholars, and industry leaders from across the country.
On the day of the event, St. Aurelia’s University was buzzing with excitement.
Vesta, head of Neural Nexus Tech, was also present. Ever since her recent trip to China with Dr. Kevitt Smith, word had spread in the industry that she was his doctoral student. Now, she was gaining quite a bit of recognition herself.
Professor Hancock, having met her before, greeted her warmly when she arrived.
Many student representatives were in attendance as well. When they found out Vesta was Dr. Smith’s doctoral student, they were awestruck. After all, simply being Dr. Smith’s student was an achievement well beyond their own reach.
Some bolder students gathered around Vesta, peppering her with technical questions once she’d finished exchanging pleasantries with Professor Hancock. Answering undergraduates’ questions was effortless for Vesta, and she quickly drew admiring glances from all around.
A few specialists also took the initiative to introduce themselves, and before long, Vesta found herself surrounded by a small crowd.
Just then, Charlene and Stewart arrived.
Dr. Kevitt Smith’s name carried weight everywhere, but word had already spread that he’d flown out specifically to PrimeStar, hoping for an in-depth exchange with Charlene and Stewart. If even someone of Dr. Smith’s stature wanted to meet them, it was no wonder the students were eager to see them in person.
The moment Charlene and Stewart stepped into the hall, a ripple of excitement swept through the crowd. Heads turned; all eyes were on them.
Until now, Charlene had been something of an enigma. Many had read her work, but almost no one knew what she looked like. When news broke that she’d be attending the panel, it wasn’t just the students who were thrilled; even the professors and researchers were visibly excited.
Since Charlene had been personally invited by Professor Hancock, it was only fitting that he greet her himself.
Turning to Vesta, Professor Hancock said politely, “Excuse me, Ms. Ross and Mr. Ferguson have just arrived. The president and I should go welcome them.”
Vesta’s smile faltered for a split second, but she nodded in understanding.
Suddenly, it wasn’t just Professor Hancock and the university president; dozens of students surged toward Charlene and Stewart, eager for a glimpse or a word.
In an instant, Vesta found herself standing alone. The once-friendly crowd had melted away, and for a moment, it was as if she were invisible.