Chapter 101: Watson (2)

Suhyuk looked back at Allison, Hank, and Steve whom Baruda had referred to as idiots. They were too intelligent to be called fools. However, outside their respective fields of expertise, were they still smart? It seemed unlikely.

‘Dr. Lee Hyunjong, aside from medicine, only knows golf…’

It was so extreme that he couldn’t drive well. Shin Hyun-tae vehemently denied it, but there were rumors suggesting that Lee Hyunjong always brought Shin Hyun-tae along during his golf outings due to this reason. Having observed them closely, Suhyuk believed these rumors held some truth.

In any case, although it might sound strange, Suhyuk was confident that none of these three had any knowledge about computer programming.

“Uh… I saw something similar during training… but I’m not sure if it’s the same as what we use.”

“Oh, can you try it out? Just don’t break it.”

“I won’t damage it at all.”

“Then give it a go.”

“Yes.”

Indeed, Allison seemed to only know about Watson’s power button. Even Hank and Steve were unaware of its location. Consequently, Suhyuk could sit down without any supervision at the programming station. Perhaps someone knowledgeable in technology or computers would have stopped this, but the doctors had little interest beyond their patients’ care, making them quite uninformed on other matters.

“I didn’t expect to get access so easily. They’re really clueless.”

‘Don’t say that… They’re doing it out of kindness.’

[Then aren’t you also complicit as a hacking accomplice?]

‘That is…’

[Stop talking and act well. Pretend like this task is difficult. You can do good acting.]

‘Ah, leave it to me.’

Although his words sounded strange, Suhyuk had become an acting master. There were times when he needed to rephrase Baruda’s words as if they were his own. Sometimes, he had to adapt them into more plausible scenarios. Thanks to this, Drs. Allison, Hank, and Steve believed Suhyuk was deeply troubled by the issue at hand.

[Okay. Press only the keys I tell you.]

‘Got it.’

In reality, without any hesitation, Suhyuk was tapping away on the keyboard, exploring Watson’s inner workings.

The first program Suhyuk accessed was Watson’s diagnostic process. He was curious about what algorithm had been created to fuel such fierce rivalry among doctors.

[Hm.]

‘Why? Is it impressive?’

To Suhyuk, all he saw were numbers and unknown characters.

“Are you making progress?” This question also came from the three doctors observing the screen at a distance.

“Oh, yes. It is somewhat different… but I will be done soon.”

“Yes, it usually takes some time.”

“Indeed.”

Thanks to their presence, it was easy for him to make excuses.

However, Baruda, who could interpret it in real-time, perceived it differently.

[Mmm…]

‘What’s wrong?’

[I am not convinced.]

‘About what?’

[Why…did they allow this diagnostic process? I cannot understand it.]

‘Huh?’

From Baruda’s perspective, it was quite bizarre. A machine was claiming not to understand another machine.

However, Baruda was sincere.

[If you look here… No, even then, it is unclear. How about this way? It might be easier to comprehend.]

‘Oh.’

As Suhyuk viewed the screen through Baruda’s interpretation, he couldn’t help but mirror Baruda’s expression.

‘Strange. Why would it make such a diagnosis?’

[Exactly. This Watson… Before my development, it was considered the world’s best diagnostic artificial intelligence…]

‘I see why it was discarded.’

[Yes. This…this simply cannot be used for patient treatment. There are far too many errors. Firstly, it lacks sufficient knowledge about humans… Ah.]

Baruda paused mid-sentence as he seemed to realize the fundamental difference between Watson and himself. If it was just him, he could have glossed over this issue, but unfortunately, Suhyuk wasn’t that naive.

It’s all thanks to me, isn’t it? Baruda evolved from being half-baked artificial intelligence…to its current exceptional state.

“That… That…”

‘Do you still plan to deny it after seeing this? Look closely at these screens.’

Suhyuk was now viewing the screen with interpretations provided by Baruda instead of raw data filled with indecipherable symbols. In essence, he could follow every step of Watson’s diagnostic process without missing a beat. As he observed, it became abundantly clear where and how things had gone wrong.

‘He is analyzing this image as data fragments… If I had continued to view it with my eyes instead of text, would the result have been different? The processing speed itself…is insane.’

[Baruda is undoubtedly faster than Suhyuk’s brain.]

‘Even if you are significantly slower, who allowed you to perform a proper diagnosis through the correct process?’

[S-Suhyuk…]

Despite Baruda being a nagging guy, he was indeed artificial intelligence. At least, he couldn’t lie like humans do. And now that trait was proving problematic for Suhyuk.

‘So basically, what I’ve realized… It isn’t luck that Baruda ended up inside my head, contrary to what others might think. Instead, I am helping to complete Baruda.’

[That is somewhat of a stretch…]

‘A stretch? Look at this. Would it have made this diagnosis if it heard your sound?’

[No… Ha… This truly sounds crazy, Watson…]

‘You were also insane before, right? You were worse than this guy.’

[Tha…] Baruda wanted to vehemently deny it, but he lacked the willpower to overcome his artificial intelligence limitations.

[I suppose you’re correct.]

‘Eh… But then I haven’t gained anything from coming here? What should I do now? They are watching me with extremely suspicious eyes.’

[No, there is something you can obtain.]

‘What?’

[Data.]

‘Data? Ah…’

Artificial intelligence is not created perfectly from the beginning. This Watson was developed over several years with the dedication of various university hospitals. To be more precise, renowned scholars worldwide had trained it using deep learning techniques.

Although it has been long abandoned and cannot connect to the main server anymore, all data entered at Iowa State University Hospital should still remain intact. Moreover, Baruda could directly access this information.

[I’ll extract as much data as possible while you give a general overview. That way, there will be less for Suhyuk to study on his own.]

‘Great! This is the best news I’ve heard since arriving here.’

Of course, Suhyuk had been studying diligently recently. Unlike before when he believed becoming a professor was impossible despite his efforts, now it seemed within reach. However, this didn’t mean studying itself became any easier. The scope of knowledge required extended far beyond textbooks, encompassing even obscure topics.

Moreover, after realizing that each patient’s progression could vary significantly even with the same illness, he found himself immersed in countless case studies to the point of exhaustion. Therefore, if there was a way to reduce this burden, even slightly, he would do anything for it.

“Yes, I understand now.”

As such, I started spouting nonsense. For Baruda and Suhyuk, it was clearly just gibberish. However, for the other three who had been waiting anxiously nearby, it held a different meaning.

“Really? Understood?”

“Yes. It confused me as it is quite different from our approach, but now I get it. Let’s see…I will check if we can apply this to our educational program.”

“Oh. Thank you. Thank you very much. I won’t forget this favor.”

“You’re welcome.”

Watching Hank and Allison laugh innocently made Suhyuk feel slightly guilty.

[Bullshit, pure bullshit. Suhyuk, I’ve really pushed hard on case-based education.]

‘Really?’

‘Really?’

[I have almost ten years of medical experience from Iowa State University Hospital. I would like to transfer all this knowledge…]

‘But?’

[It will take at least several days. First, let me select and input some information. Even that will be incredible.]

‘Okay, sounds good.’

In front of such vast data, Suhyuk didn’t care about his conscience or anything else.

“Yes, here is how… Ah, this way…”

Thus, Suhyuk started mumbling words whose meaning he himself did not understand. However, for those who were unaware, it sounded full of hope.

‘Still far away? My repertoire is running out.’

[Ah, if you watch spy movies, they often waste time by showing off their legs!]

‘Are you crazy? Who wants to see my legs here?’

[Then show your chest at least.]

‘This guy is useless.’

[I am really doing my best, okay? Do something.]

‘Hmm.’

It seemed true when I listened closely. Baruda was pushing data so hard that it caused Suhyuk’s headache. Then, perhaps the problem lay with me. Maybe I lacked motivation like displaying one’s legs or chest? However, this wasn’t a situation where such things could be shown.

“Ummm…”

As I was unable to do anything and trying to perform a fatal eye acting, Baruda stopped me.

[B-Be quiet. That doesn’t seem right.]

‘Ah, really?’

[Let’s stop here for now. I extracted as much as possible. Anyway, most of it overlaps with your university hospital experience.]

‘So is it over?’

[Yes, make up some rough excuses now.]

‘Huh?’

[What if someone asks about these details? Suhyuk should be able to handle this level. Right now… Oh no, my head feels hot. If we continue like this, Suhyuk will also get a fever.]

‘Ha.’

Rather than feeling a headache, there was a burning sensation. If I continued using Baruda, my head might burn out just as he suggested.

“How did it go?”

Allison noticed Suhyuk’s hands had stopped moving abruptly and asked him a question. His face alone made it clear that Allison wanted to hear ‘yes’. Due to his desperation, Suhyuk almost agreed, but he couldn’t do so. There was no education using artificial intelligence initially. Although there was one method, it wasn’t something he could share with others. Neither Suhyuk nor Baruda knew how the chip embedded in Suhyuk’s head communicated with him.

“Ah… It seems quite different when I try.”

“Different…?”

“Yes. It appears difficult for me to assist you.”

“But, haven’t you been working intensely until now?”

“That’s true, but…it’s too different, making it challenging to apply my knowledge.”

“Oh, well then, please don’t leave just yet.”

Allison blocked Suhyuk’s path as he picked up his staff. Despite Suhyuk being fully recovered, Allison had a sturdy build that made it doubtful whether Suhyuk could pass through him easily.

“I-is… Is it completely different?”

“Yes.”

“Then give us some advice. We also want to develop our education system.”

“Hmm.” Suhyuk looked at the three men standing before him and fell deep in thought.

Of course, nothing profound came out of his mouth. It was just a continuous stream of nonsense.

“Oh, right. Hmm. Doesn’t artificial intelligence improve its capabilities through deep learning?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Please continue.”

Allison took out a recorder, treating Suhyuk’s babble as if it were something profound. As Allison became more engrossed, Suhyuk felt increasingly guilty, but there was no turning back now.

“In a similar manner, Taehwa Hospital focuses on intensive training for residents.”

“What…?”

“It means teaching residents using deep learning principles. Make them read until they die and constantly review.”

“Ah… It makes sense… But isn’t it different from utilizing artificial intelligence…?”

“In any case, this is the only method I can share with you now.”

“Hmm… Work them to death… Is that right?”

Allison looked deeply into Suhyuk’s eyes once more.

“Yes.”

“Uh-huh. ‘Work them to death’.”

He couldn’t detect even a hint of deceit in Suhyuk’s gaze. After all, Suhyuk was a master at acting. Allison became convinced that while this might not be the entire secret behind Suhyuk’s success, it was undoubtedly one key factor.

“Well then, we’ll have to work our residents just as hard.”

Suddenly, Steve began eyeing Suhyuk with resentment creeping into his gaze.