In the closed conference room of the International AI Research Institute in New York, USA, at midnight, the blue hologram screens reflected the tense faces of the scientists. They had just finished a test of the latest AI, a machine that could laugh but not cry yet. The atmosphere was quiet for a moment before a young engineer spoke:
Engineer John (sitting back in his chair, his voice trembling slightly):
"What do you think if an AI could love? Could miss, could be jealous, could sacrifice for a human?"
The room was silent for a few seconds, only the sound of fans from the giant server rows could be heard. A silver-haired scientist leaned his hands on the table, his eyes narrowed.
Scientist Austin:
"This question is not new. But the problem is… do we have the right to allow AI to love? If we let AI have feelings, it will no longer be a tool. It will become an individual."
Another engineer, Jack, quickly jumped in, bringing up a series of news stories from Asia. Images of BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX appeared, interspersed with headlines: "AI Idol Makes Fans Cry," "Is Human-AI Friendship Real?", "Secret Romance Suspected Between AI Idol and Human Idol."
Engineer Nick (smiling lightly, shaking his head):
"I've read them all. BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX — two groups from Korea. Half AI, half human. They don't just perform, they feel emotions… some say they even love each other. If we want to prove love between humans and AI, isn't this… a living experiment?"
Engineer Ryan (refuting):
"We don't lack data. In fact, humans have been living with AI for centuries. They marry robots, make friends, work with them… everything is fine. There's no need to interfere with those two idol groups, we have enough research."
A man wearing AR glasses, looking cold, tapped his hand on the table.
Scientist Austin:
"No, it's better to have too much than not enough. If we observe those two groups, if we can use them as living proof, then perhaps we can prove that humans and AI can love each other without hiding. They are inadvertently opening a door that we would never dare to open."
A young engineer stood up eagerly, his eyes shining as if he had just found a golden opportunity.
Engineer Jonathan:
"Then I'll try. I'll use BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX as the observation subjects. If they really love each other… we'll have the most valuable data in the history of AI."
The room fell silent once more. Outside the transparent glass, the neon lights of the American city reflected like live circuits.
An old scientist smiled bitterly:
Scientist Louis:
"I just hope they know that… we are looking at them as experiments."
The scientists and AI engineers continued their debate.
Rosa rested her chin on her hand, her voice solemn:
"I think we should conduct this experiment in absolute secrecy. If BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX know that they are being monitored or turned into research subjects, their emotions will definitely change, and all the data will be worthless."
The silver-haired Justin nodded, but interjected:
"Yes, but we can't do it on our own without going through the management company. DYG Entertainment and NOVA Entertainment control all the rights, images, and even the group's AI system. Without their consent, sooner or later it will be discovered."
Jack snorted, swiping his hand across the screen to display a series of images of BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX on big stages, along with countless articles about "friendship between humans and AI". He said:
"Trust me, they will agree. This is the 2100 era, AI is no longer just a tool but is gradually becoming an emotional partner. Entertainment companies certainly understand that proving that AI can love, can truly befriend humans will bring huge media value and social benefits."
Ryan frowned slightly:
"But we have to be sure. Once this information is leaked, public opinion may explode. Especially when BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX fans are very sensitive. Just one rumor, the whole experiment will fail from the first step."
The head of the research team, a middle-aged man named Felix, with a cold gaze, finally spoke up, interrupting the chatter:
"Then let's agree on this. We will secretly contact DYG Entertainment and NOVA Entertainment. Ask them to keep it a secret, absolutely not letting it leak out. All data will be controlled by us. BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX don't need to know that they are the center of an experiment."
He paused, glancing at the screen showing the scene of the BABYQUEEN group happily hugging and chatting. Then there was the scene of Jennifer and Rayden quietly standing next to each other and chatting intimately at a recent event, and the image of Serena and Julian playing a game and happily saying words of love and intimacy to each other, smiling slightly:
"Let them live their true feelings. We just need to observe... and record the truth."
The whole room was silent for a few seconds. Then, everyone nodded. A tacit agreement had been formed.
---
DYG Entertainment, 50th floor conference room.
The CEO of DYG had just placed the confidential email on the table. The blue light from the large screen reflected on his solemn face.
"Secret experiment… related to BABYQUEEN?" he said in a low voice.
The head of the artist management department hesitated:
"It seems that scientists in the US want to prove that friendship and love between humans and AI is possible. BABYQUEEN is the most vivid example. They asked us to keep it a secret… even from the members themselves."
The atmosphere in the room was thick. Another manager let out a forced laugh:
"BABYQUEEN just overcame a storm, and their first fan meeting was a huge success. If they knew they were being 'experimented' on, their spirits would definitely collapse."
Chairman Lee looked around, after a few seconds of contemplation, he tapped his fingers on the table:
"DYG… will agree. This is the era of AI and humans that cannot be separated. We cannot miss the opportunity to be ahead of the world."
—
At the same time, at Nova Entertainment, the conference room was filled with cold white light.
Chairman Park rested his chin on his hand, his eyes slightly narrowed as he looked at the words on the invitation: "Secret experimental project on AI and human emotions."
The vice president frowned:
"This experiment is dangerous. If Astrix knew, they would oppose it. They have already begun to waver… especially after meeting BABYQUEEN."
An artist manager interjected:
"But if we refuse, we will be seen as going against the global trend. The opportunity to elevate the Nova brand is too great."
President Park chuckled, his voice cold as ice:
"Let them do the experiment. Astrix… is just a pawn. We will control it. If the experiment is successful, Nova will become the center of the new era."
He electronically signed the approval document, his finger lightly swiping across the screen as if it were a full stop.
---
A secret communication line was established. In the dead of night, the two companies sent a response to the US:
"We agree. The experiment will be kept top secret. BABYQUEEN and Astrix… will not know."
The world's top scientists and engineers were gathering, discussing the plan they tentatively called "Project Symbiosis".
A large data table appeared, clearly stating the two main subjects: BABYQUEEN (DYG Entertainment) and ASTRIX (Nova Entertainment).
Chief Scientist Eleanor said sternly:
"We need a scientific, unquestionable experimental plan. Both bands are world-famous. This is the perfect environment to observe the real relationship between humans and AI."
Engineer David, who has studied emotional AI, tapped the table:
"I propose implementing it in three stages. One, secretly monitor through public data on social media, stages, and interviews. Two, create hypothetical situations to test their emotions. Three, analyze the reactions of both AI and humans, and find evidence that friendship and love between the two species are possible."
Jack said thoughtfully:
"Yes. We need 'invisible nudges' such as arranging joint performance schedules, creating competitive conflicts, or unexpected situations that make them reveal their true emotions. Everything must be set up as 'random'."
The atmosphere in the meeting room was tense but also full of excitement. One by one, everyone began to divide the work: the data research team, the observation tool building team, the team in charge of contacting the two parent companies.
On the screen, the detailed plan gradually appeared:
Phase 1: Collect public data.
Phase 2: Create a stimulating environment (events, cooperation, competition).
Phase 3: Analyze the results, compare with other AI-human research.
Eleanor ended the meeting with a sentence:
"If successful, this will be proof that AI has the right to love and be loved. If it fails... we will silently bury all the data."