Chapter 243: Ethics Committee Sets Standards·Technology Use Has Boundaries

Zhao Jianguo got up in the morning; the first thing he did was go to the Kitchen to check the stir‑fry machine. The machine's outer shell was polished to a shine, the buttons lined up neatly in a row. He pressed the start button, heard the motor buzz a few times, and the display screen flashed the four characters "Preheat Complete".

He didn't turn it off, and turned to go to the Courtyard.

The System Prompt from last night was still looping in his mind. "Civilization inheritance chain formed"—the words sounded grand, but he knew the meaning wasn't complicated. On the day of the child's one‑year‑old ceremony, the Crystal and the abacus were placed together on the Desk, and no one despised the other. Technology can be retained because someone is willing to use it, and also because someone upholds the old Rules Sign.

But not everyone in the Courtyard thought that way.

He had just reached the well when he heard Sha Zhu shouting at the canteen entrance: "I've trained with this wok spatula for thirty years, and now you want me to compete with a metal box for work?"

Someone beside him advised: "It's not that you have to quit, just that you get an extra assistant."

"Assistant?" Sha Zhu's voice rose higher, "It doesn't need Meal Ticket or wages; can I outdo it?"

Zhao Jianguo walked over and saw him clutching a corner of his apron, his knuckles white. San Daye stood nearby, holding a small notebook to take notes; when he saw Zhao Jianguo arrive, he looked up and said, "We've been waiting for you; this matter needs discussion."

"Discussion must involve everyone," Zhao Jianguo said, "It doesn't count if only a few of us speak."

After the midday Meal Ticket, a long table was set up inside the inner side of the Courtyard Gate. Chairs were arranged in two rows, the front row seated the experts, the back row the residents. Engineer Li, wearing a gray jacket, carried a file folder; Teacher Zhang slung a Cloth Bundle over his shoulder, and as soon as he sat down he began handing out materials.

"Today's meeting isn't for anything else," Zhao Jianguo stood in the middle, "it's to set a Rules Sign."

"What Rules Sign?" Xu Da Mao poked his head and asked, his body half‑stuck in the doorframe.

"How technology is used, who can use it, and up to what stage," he said, then spread out a draft, "We've drafted a 'Ten Prohibitions'; let's read it through once."

Engineer Li took the paper, cleared his throat: "1. No use of technology to spy on others' privacy; 2. No elimination of senior staff under the pretext of intelligence; 3. No outsourcing of key technology to unknown organizations…"

When he reached the fifth clause, Sha Zhu tapped the Desk.

"This clause is unacceptable!" he pointed to the seventh clause, "'Allow priority use of automated equipment in hazardous positions.' Does the canteen count as a hazardous position? Does an oil pot frying people count?"

No one responded.

He Yushui stood up from the crowd, holding a Tablet. "I have data," she said, "In the past six months, after installing automatic temperature control, burn accidents dropped by seven, oil‑smoke concentration fell by sixty percent. Last week's test showed lung indicators much better than last year."

Sha Zhu twisted his neck: "Then you'll replace my lungs? Can lost craftsmanship be found again?"

"Craftsmanship won't be lost," Zhao Jianguo spoke, "The stir‑fry machine can control heat, but seasoning still relies on people. From now on, new apprentices first practice knife work and heat control, then use the machine as assistance. The head chef remains you seasoned masters."

"So you call this help?" Sha Zhu sneered coldly, "It's a hollow thing."

"Then what do you want?" Zhao Jianguo looked at him, "You don't want new technology? Outside restaurants have already switched twice. We're slow here because we have to discuss it. If you smash the machine at the first disagreement, I can only shut it down."

The air fell silent for a moment.

Jia Dongxu cleared his throat: "Actually… a compromise is possible. For example, split the cooking process: the machine handles repetitive motions, humans handle the key steps. I've done production‑line redesign in a factory; this model works."

"You're an engineer, you speak so lightly," Sha Zhu lowered his head and tugged his apron, "I'm just a cook; what I fear is waking up one day to find the stove gone."

"The stove won't be taken away," Zhao Jianguo said, "but we can add some things. For instance, install an automatic fire‑suppression device; if a fire breaks out it can save lives. Also upgrade the exhaust system so you inhale less oil smoke. Are these good things?"

"They are," Sha Zhu said quietly, "but don't use good things as an excuse to replace people."

"Then write it into the clause," Zhao Jianguo turned to Engineer Li, "Amend clause seven: Automated equipment is only for assisting high‑risk, high‑intensity tasks, with core operation rights retained by the original position staff. Agree?"

Engineer Li nodded and crossed out on the paper.

Teacher Zhang added: "Add another sentence: Any technology introduction must undergo collective evaluation by the affected staff."

"Now that makes sense," Sha Zhu exhaled, his shoulders slumping.

Someone raised a hand: "So AI drawing isn't allowed either? My grandson draws Peppa Pig at home every day and says it's original."

"It's not that drawing is banned," Zhao Jianguo said, "It's that AI‑generated works can't be submitted as human creations for contests or awards. Technology can be used, but the source must be labeled. Like milk labels list calcium content, you must label 'This image was generated by AI.'"

"Got it," the person nodded.

Another young person asked: "If many disagree, does that mean it can't be implemented?"

"We've set a threshold," Zhao Jianguo said, "All technology applications must obtain signatures from two‑thirds of the residents before implementation. Public notice for three days; any issues can be raised at any time. After revisions, sign again."

"What if I want to install a floor‑cleaning robot?"

"In your own house, as long as it doesn't affect others, you're free. Public areas must follow the process."

The discussion gradually subsided.

After dinner, the long table was moved to the Courtyard. The moon rose, shining on the newly made wooden plaque. A few characters, written by Zhao Jianguo, read: Technology Serves the People.

He took out the revised "Ten Prohibitions" and placed it on the table.

"Who signs first?"

San Daye was the first to step up, dipped his hand in ink and pressed a handprint. Then came Jia Dongxu, Engineer Li, Teacher Zhang. He Yushui finished signing and passed the pen to Sha Zhu.

Sha Zhu stared at the paper for a long time, then finally reached out.

"I'll sign," he said, "but I'll speak bluntly up front: if one day you secretly change the rules, I'll be the first to flip the table."

"Welcome supervision," Zhao Jianguo handed over the pen.

The last was Xu Da Mao. He wasn't present, but asked Jia Dongxu to bring a sheet of paper, on which crookedly were a few lines, ending with a red handprint. It meant he was willing to obey the new rules and use technology to make up for past mistakes.

Zhao Jianguo took it, slipped it into the file.

System Prompt popped up: 【Ethics Decision Specialist Unlocked】

He said nothing, lifted his gaze to the plaque.

Moonlight illuminated the characters, the edges slightly reflective.

He stood still, unmoving.

Footsteps came from the Courtyard Gate; it was Wang Nainai returning from a walk. She saw a group gathered around the table and asked, "Is the meeting over?"

"Just finished," San Daye replied, "We've established a new Rules Sign."

"Oh." Wang Nainai nodded, "So can we still call Liu Tou for pipe repairs?"

"We can," Zhao Jianguo said, "The APP is just a quick notice; people still have to come to the door."

"That's good," she patted her leg, "I'm just afraid that later we won't even see a human shadow."

She walked away slowly.

Zhao Jianguo turned back to look at the "Ten Prohibitions". The pages fluttered in the night wind, the handprints lined up one after another, like stamps on time.

He reached out and pressed down a corner.

In the distance, the stir-fry machine's indicator light was still on, the green light flashing on and off.