The Comeback of a Tech Visionary

Chen Tianqiao, the once-reclusive billionaire who built China's gaming empire before vanishing from public view, has resurfaced with a bold new mission. Now based in California, the 54-year-old entrepreneur isn't content with past successes - he's aiming to crack the code of human consciousness itself.

"Future history books won't divide time as BC and AD," Chen quipped during his first interview in nine years. "They'll mark epochs as Before ChatGPT and After ChatGPT."

Rethinking Artificial Intelligence

At the heart of Chen's comeback is what he terms "Discovery AI" - a radical departure from current large language models. Where most AI today excels at regurgitating existing knowledge, Chen wants systems that can:

• Generate original discoveries beyond human capability
• Predict complex events like natural disasters or market shifts
• Develop breakthrough medications through advanced reasoning

The approach integrates long-term memory with causal analysis, creating what Chen describes as "thinking machines" rather than just sophisticated pattern recognizers.

Powering the AI Revolution

Supporting this ambitious vision requires massive computing resources. Chen revealed plans to transform 700,000 acres of forest land in Oregon and Ontario into geothermal-powered data centers:

• Sustainable infrastructure: Tapping into Earth's natural heat for clean energy
• Global collaboration: $300-500M pilot facilities open to researchers worldwide
• Long-term commitment: "Profitability can wait," says the confident billionaire

Beyond National Rivalries

While many frame AI development as a U.S.-China competition, Chen takes a more cosmopolitan view. "It's like football," he explained. "I'll pass to whoever's closest to scoring. In AI research, humanity should be on one team."

The entrepreneur also dismissed bubble fears surrounding AI: "We're not chasing hype - we're building intelligence that may surpass our own."

Merging Mind and Machine

Chen's fascination with consciousness extends beyond software. He remains a major backer of brain-computer interface technology through his earlier $1 billion neuroscience investments. This dual focus on both digital and biological intelligence reflects his belief that AGI breakthroughs will come from cross-pollinating disciplines.

As the world enters what Chen calls "the third year AC (After ChatGPT)," this tech pioneer is betting big that his unique approach will accelerate humanity toward artificial general intelligence - perhaps faster than anyone expects.