A Scientific Urban Detective

"That's right, it's that 'Director' – one of the twelve Directors of the Board," the security guard nodded. "Director Sherbin Kensil, his area of responsibility is the industrial manufacturing of Academy City. It can be said that almost all the factories in this city are under his influence."

"Huh?" Kofuku Miwei immediately thought of something, "Doesn't that mean..."

"Yes," the security guard nodded, pointing out the window, "Almost all of the 100,000 people participating in the parade today are employees under his command."

The reason why the workers were marching in the streets was because they were facing the crisis of being laid off.

And as the de facto 'ruler' of these workers, Director Sherbin, one of the twelve Directors, not only ignored the parade, but also ostentatiously attended the launch ceremony of the 'unmanned subway' project...

His attitude was self-evident, and it's no wonder the security guard said he was deliberately laying off employees.

The big boss in charge of industrial manufacturing began to focus on 'unmanned' technology, so it's reasonable that human employees are no longer needed...

"No wonder the uncles and aunts downstairs have a stronger attitude," Kofuku Miwei complained, "They must have seen this news too, right?"

Kofuku Miwei, still a middle school student, doesn't have a particularly deep feeling about concepts like 'layoffs' and 'unemployment', but Lin Wuming is different.

As a transmigrator, he was also a working person before coming to this world, so he can empathize with the experiences of the workers downstairs.

As mentioned before, in Academy City, the so-called 'workers' are actually professional and technical talents, all graduates of vocational colleges, and even have bachelor's or higher degrees.

Honestly, Lin Wuming asked himself, his 'previous life' was probably just like that. If he were to be transferred to the current situation, he would probably be one of the people marching in the streets.

After having this level of empathy, Lin Wuming looked at Director Sherbin, who was talking eloquently in the news report, and felt that this guy was very hateful.

"This guy..." Lin Wuming wanted to say something, but immediately shut up and shook his head helplessly.

Sherbin is a Director. In Academy City, besides Chairman Aleister, the twelve Directors of the Board are the de facto supreme rulers.

Therefore, Director Sherbin can act arbitrarily like this.

What's more, his behavior doesn't even violate any laws, and even the security forces can't say anything.

In the end, Lin Wuming could only sigh helplessly, and secretly rejoice that he is now a telekineticist, and he shouldn't have to worry about not finding a job in the future.

The level of Director is completely beyond the scope that the security forces and Judgment can handle, so the people present quickly changed the topic and began to discuss the 'unmanned subway' project.

After the teachers' explanation, Lin Wuming finally understood that the 'unmanned subway project' launched this time is not just a simple 'unmanned driving', but a fully automated and intelligent operation.

The most important part is the subway train's entry into the depot for maintenance and repair – according to convention, this part often has to be done manually.

Because the condition of each car and each carriage is different every day, such complex working conditions are beyond the scope of ordinary automated robotic arms.

However, it is said that due to breakthroughs in robotics technology, it is now possible to manufacture robots that are very similar to humans; therefore, many jobs that originally had to be done 'manually' can now be done by robots...

This is also the main reason why Director Sherbin has the confidence to carry out large-scale layoffs.

Strictly speaking, Director Sherbin doesn't have any factories under his name, and he is not the boss of these workers. Theoretically, he is not qualified to carry out large-scale layoffs at all.

But he can achieve this goal through policy adjustments, and even do it more ruthlessly, forcing Academy City's factories to make choices that suit his wishes...

"And not all blue-collar engineers are being laid off," another security guard added, "Companies responsible for the development of robots and powered exoskeletons are the opposite, and seem to have started expanding their recruitment recently."

However, there are also differences between engineers and engineers. The situation he just mentioned is ultimately just a minority.

If Director Sherbin's plan is really implemented, then it is foreseeable that Academy City's secondary industry... will hardly be affected at all, and may even be more efficient.

This is the most ironic thing. From a purely utilitarian and rational point of view, Sherbin has made the decision that best suits his identity as a 'Director'.

Academy City's highest ruling body, the 'Board of Directors', is composed of twelve Directors. Generally speaking, each Director has his or her 'exclusive' field.

Or rather, it is precisely because they have a pivotal influence in a certain field that they are qualified to sit on the 'Director' seat.

Director Sherbin Kensil's area of expertise is the secondary industry; specifically, the 'equipment manufacturing' sector.

Using high technology that is thirty years ahead of the outside world, even the most ordinary civilian equipment in Academy City, when exported, is a popular commodity with overwhelming advantages, and there is no need to worry about sales at all.

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Relying on this alone, Director Sherbin has made a lot of money over the years.

Then, he invests the money and wealth he earns into new technology and equipment development, and this cycle ultimately creates his 'manufacturing empire'.

After understanding Director Sherbin's struggle, it is not difficult to find that, compared to an 'inventor' or 'engineer', the more suitable identity for him should be a 'businessman'.

And as a businessman, the pursuit of profit maximization is an instinct.

Director Sherbin has been investing huge amounts of money in new technology development for many years, isn't it just to improve production efficiency and reduce costs?

Now that robot technology has matured and is sufficient to replace ordinary workers, it is not surprising that Director Sherbin made the decision to carry out large-scale layoffs, considering factors such as cost and efficiency.

Lin Wuming wasn't so surprised by this development.

After all, Academy City's 'robot' technology tree is also very developed. In addition to various manned or unmanned powered exoskeletons, pure intelligent robots are also very mature.

For example, 'Koicha' who appeared in the original work – although she is a semi-robot modified by humans, she is completely mechanized except for the hypothalamus. Honestly, there is no difference from a pure robot.

And that Koicha can even use all level 5 superpowers, which can be called the pinnacle of the 'robot' field!

Even such exaggerated guys can be created, let alone ordinary robots.