Chapter 63 – The World Looks to Seoul
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When the World Turned Its Eyes
Ever since the cyber crisis, SeoulPot had become a global headline—not just because of ASTRA, the first AI independently developed by students, but because of their bravery in facing such a formidable threat.
In international forums, Gevran and his team were becoming a hot topic. At TEDx Tokyo, an MIT scientist called ASTRA "the most radical innovation since generative AI." At the World Economic Forum, SeoulPot was referenced during a panel on "Technology and Ethics of the Future."
But with recognition came mounting pressure.
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Domestic Pressure Builds
The pressure wasn't just international—it was growing at home too. Some conservative politicians began voicing concerns over the rise of independent AI.
"Are we really going to entrust our future to a technology with no legal boundaries?" said a member of the National Assembly during a press briefing.
Legacy tech companies, once dominant in the market, began lobbying the university, submitting proposals to "acquire or mentor" SeoulPot.
But Gevran stood firm.
"I didn't build this to sell it."
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Strategic Move: The Open Knowledge Pact
Jiwan, leveraging his father's connections in the Ministry of Education, proposed a radical idea: transform SeoulPot into a center for open innovation—not just a startup, but a movement for education and progress.
They launched Seoul Future Week—a global exhibition and forum on AI, robotics, and future tech. Hosted at Seoul University, over 50 universities and research institutions from around the world attended.
In a limited session, ASTRA was introduced publicly. For the first time, the world witnessed an AI that could learn with empathy and human-like adaptability.
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A Secret Meeting: Back to Politics
Amid the excitement, Gevran was called home by his father, Jido. That night, inside the family's luxurious study, a serious conversation unfolded.
"I'm not running for President just for power, son. You know Korea is heading toward a turning point. And… your AI might be the catalyst."
"Are you planning to use SeoulPot for your campaign?"
"Not use. Protect. If you shine too brightly without political backing, they'll crush you."
Gevran went quiet. The world was shifting—and he stood right in the middle of it.
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A Big Decision and the Dawn of a New Era
As the semester drew to a close, the five friends sat on the rooftop of their campus, the Seoul skyline glowing behind them.
"So… where do we go from here?" Mi Yong asked, munching on a choco pie.
"To places that don't exist yet," Eunwoo replied.
Haesung unrolled a freshly drafted tech roadmap. "We can develop ASTRA 2.0 for education and healthcare systems."
"And maybe… for a new version of South Korea," Jiwan added quietly.
Gevran smiled, though his eyes were serious. The world was watching. And now, he wasn't just chasing his childhood dream—he was stepping into the future of an entire generation.
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