随着ChatGPT在2022年底的横空出世，“人工智能已经来临”不再只是科幻作品里的煽情口号，而是真切地融入了我们的日常生活。那一刻，无数人似乎都产生了相同的疑问：当机器拥有了超越人类想象的算力，并通过深度学习在短时间内快速进化，这个世界会变得怎样？乐观者相信AI会帮助人类大踏步迈入一个科技与文明并进的全新纪元；悲观者则觉得，随着AGI（通用人工智能）乃至ASI（超级人工智能）逐步成熟，人类在许多工作岗位上将面临无可挽回的淘汰。繁荣还是凋敝，也许并非一元对立，更可能是两者交融。就像人类在历史长河中一次次面临时代变革，每一次大冲击都带来新的飞跃，却也不可避免地引发新的矛盾。
最近两年，“AI会如何重塑社会结构”逐渐成为热门话题。有人说机器会取代大部分劳动力，将财富和资源集中到极少数人手中，让不懂AI的人被时代彻底抛下。有人则指出AI可以驱动医疗飞跃、能源改革甚至星际探索，只要人类善用这把“钥匙”，就能见证一个更自由、更丰盈、更有创造力的世界。回看科技的演进规律，我们大概能猜到，现实往往并非这么非黑即白，它常常游走在乐观与悲观的交界处，为我们同时带来机遇与挑战。让我们从这个角度去猜想，在AI主导的未来社会中，人们可能会形成三种显著的人群分化，而促成分化的关键，就在于个人是否能真正掌握并运用AI。
精英阶层：1%-5%的“时代锻造者”
我曾不止一次想象过，未来的精英群体会以何种面貌出现在人们的视野中。过去，我们或许会将政治权力或资本力量看作区分精英阶层与普通阶层的主要标准；而在AI时代，最核心的能力很可能就是“设计与驾驭AI”。这些人把AI视为创造新世界的语言，在高级别的基础设施领域——从打造机器人到调配复杂系统的算法逻辑——他们游刃有余。这些名字或许出现在高校研究室里，或许活跃在大公司研发中心，也可能隐匿在某个寂静的实验室中，总之他们是AI技术的缔造者与掌舵者。
在新的社会架构中，所有重大决策都将依赖AI分析海量数据并提供辅助结论，而这些结论背后，便是由精英阶层精心设计的算法模型。换句话说，谁能最大程度地推动并掌控这种模型，谁就拥有了通向未来社会的“金钥匙”。他们也因此成为新的既得利益者，甚至能在全球范围内建构类似“智力版图”的势力范围。
或许你会联想到过去互联网泡沫时代的一幕：人们都挤破头想成为技术巨头或投资人，好像只要能搭上那班快车，就能在财富与地位上扶摇直上。AI时代的“精英列车”座位更少，也更挑剔，因为这个领域需要的并非一时的风口追逐，而是深厚的数理功底、极强的创新能力，以及对行业发展深度的把握。无论如何，这1%-5%的人群将稳稳立于食物链的顶端。
中产阶级：10%-30%的“人类创意引擎”
在上一个科技浪潮中，许多原本的白领阶层从简单的重复性工作中脱身，转而投入更具创造性的岗位，比如市场策划、媒体运营、产品设计等等。到了AI时代，这些角色或会被进一步淘汰，或会被重新定义。对中产阶级而言，最宝贵的资源将是“人类的灵感火花”。
不管AI多么强大，多么善于迭代，它仍然需要人类与其协同——机器永远无法凭空为自己创造训练素材，而需要“饲料”源源不断地喂给它。这里的“饲料”指的便是人类的创意、灵感、故事、想象力等，这些看似天马行空却又能在关键时刻激发AI模型发生质变的要素，都是中产阶级的核心竞争力。
从某种意义上说，这种中产阶级更像一群走在艺术、文化、传媒前沿的“创造者”，其中或许会混杂一些仍保留传统企业技能的人，但他们同样具备出其不意的想象力。就好比现在的网红、视频博主、甚至某些新媒体平台的写作者，只不过在未来，他们面对的阅读或观众群体不再仅仅是地球上的几十亿人，还可能是遍布各地的智能系统。AI需要不断吸收人类原创性的价值观与审美观，才能更有效地模拟甚至再创造出新的东西。这些人工智慧会为他们提供反馈、提供灵感上的“二次加工”，而有能力洞察AI反馈、利用AI反馈持续创新的人，将成为新世界的中流砥柱。
UBI阶级：65%以上的“时代边缘，但并未被遗忘”
在最具争议的未来图景中，AI将以更高速率取代各类传统工作。再精妙的人力也比不上机器人24小时无休的高效和精准，尤其在那些高重复度或低技术门槛的岗位上，机器几乎能以碾压式的效率胜出。正因如此，广大蓝领和一部分过于依赖固定流程的白领岗位将面临被“完全自动化”替代的风险。
这个群体将何去何从？或许“全民基本收入”（Universal Basic Income，简称UBI）便是答案之一。也就是说，当企业及社会的整体产能已经被机器所承担，人类本身并不需要在工厂和办公室里度过漫长的工作日才能维持生活。相反，大部分人都可以依靠政府或社会机构提供的“基本收入”，免于为生存挣扎。
不过，UBI并非让人无所事事，躺平过日子。因为未来的内容生态里，AI创造出了大量文字、视频、3D沉浸式体验等多元作品，而这些UBI人群则成了庞大的“反馈者”：他们不断点赞、评论、分享，或许还会通过各种生物传感器，让AI系统实时接收情绪与认知反应。换句话说，他们以自己的情感、审美和选择，为AI输出最原始也最生动的反馈数据。参与越多，就能获取更多补贴或福利；参与度低，也有一份基础的保障金，勉强维持生活。
可以想见，这种形态会造就一个数字娱乐与数据反馈的庞大循环系统。AI展现了各种形态的创作，人类则以喜好或冷漠的姿态做出回应，继而推动AI不断升级。对于UBI阶层中的个人而言，生活的自主性也许不如从前，因为巨大的“创作与更新”都由机器人和AI背后那少数精英把握着。但相比于没有AI的时代，他们的医疗水平、生活舒适度和娱乐选择反倒可能提升许多。
分化与未来：创意为王
这三种人群看似泾渭分明，但也在某种程度上彼此依存。精英提供科技基石与资源分配，中产输出创意点燃AI火花，UBI阶层以庞大的反馈面支撑智能系统的改进与迭代。社会在高歌猛进中也在撕裂，因为同样享受AI红利的同时，人群之间的物质与精神差距会进一步扩大。顶层精英能够随心所欲地掌控机器人，底层人群则相对依赖自动化管家和数字化生活，仅存的一点自由选择和生活尊严，也只能在创意的世界里或AI的缝隙中闪闪发光。
但历史一直告诉我们，人类从来不会被动地站在原地，一旦有了新的机遇和资源，创新的火苗就在黑暗中熠熠生辉。正因如此，“创意”这个词汇才值得被我们反复提及。千百年来，自动化浪潮不可阻挡，却从未磨灭过人类的灵感与想象力。就像当年乔布斯在斯坦福大学演讲时说的那样：要有勇气去听从内心与直觉，因为它们会告诉你，自己究竟想成为什么样的人。而放到AI时代，或许我们更要用开放的态度汲取新知识，并大胆培养自己的创造力。在知识早已不再稀缺的环境下，真正稀缺的就是天马行空的思维——是无法被公式推演取代的纯粹灵感。
对现在的学校教育来说，这也是一道全新的命题：如何从教“应试”，转而教“创新”？如何让孩子在与AI并行的世界里，不再拘泥于重复劳动，而是能运用AI工具、为AI注入新的惊喜？或许这才是未来教育需要努力的方向：它不只考量一套标准答案，更加注重对想象力、独立思考和表达能力的培养。
回顾2007年的盛夏，我曾困惑地在大学与专业之间徘徊，不知道怎样的人生规划才算踏实。没想到多年后，还要再次面对人生中的另一场巨变，只不过这次的命题更加复杂——它将决定我们所有人在AI时代下的角色与处境。也许十年、二十年之后，我们看待今天的世界，会像当初看待那台第一次上手的电脑一样，觉得不可思议又充满回味。
AI的到来意味着更多机遇，也意味着更残酷的竞争。一方面，大量重复性的工作会被取代；另一方面，各种新兴领域也将不断涌现，成为那些勇敢者的游乐场。谁能善用AI这把利刃，为自己和时代开辟新的天地？这是我们需要用一生去回答的问题。而唯一确定的是，人类的大脑和想象力，或许依旧是最不可替代的“王牌”，也是我们在汹涌变革中能握紧的核心本钱。
When AI Embraces the World: Creativity and the Dawn of a New Social Order
With the launch of ChatGPT at the end of 2022, the phrase “AI is here” transformed from a science fiction trope into a palpable reality. In that moment, countless people found themselves asking the same question: What will the world look like when machines, equipped with computational power far beyond human imagination, evolve at breathtaking speed through deep learning? Optimists envision AI propelling humanity into a golden age where technology and civilisation advance hand in hand. Pessimists fear that as AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) and even ASI (Artificial Super Intelligence) mature, human workers will face irreversible displacement. The truth, as history has shown, likely lies somewhere in between. Each seismic shift in human history has brought progress entwined with disruption, offering new opportunities even as it sows new challenges.
In recent years, one pressing question has emerged: How will AI reshape the structure of society? Some argue that machines will replace the majority of the workforce, concentrating wealth and power in the hands of a select few while leaving those who fail to adapt behind. Others contend that AI could drive breakthroughs in medicine, energy, and even space exploration, unlocking a world of greater freedom, abundance, and creativity—if humanity wields this “key” wisely. History suggests, however, that reality is rarely black and white. It meanders through the grey zones, presenting us with both opportunities and trials. From this vantage point, we might imagine a society where AI creates three distinct social strata, divided primarily by an individual’s ability to harness and utilise AI effectively.
The Elite: The “Forgers of the Age” (1%-5%)
I’ve often wondered what the elite of the future will look like. In the past, political power or capital often delineated the boundary between the upper echelons and the masses. In the AI age, the defining skill may well be the ability to design and command AI. This group sees AI as the language of creation, excelling in crafting the underlying structures—robotics, complex systems, and algorithmic logic—that form the foundation of our future. These individuals, whether in university labs, corporate R&D departments, or secluded experimental spaces, are the architects and stewards of AI.
In the new societal hierarchy, major decisions will hinge on AI’s capacity to analyse vast amounts of data and offer insights. Beneath those insights lie algorithms painstakingly designed by the elite. Put simply, those who can advance and control these models hold the golden key to the future. As such, they will occupy the apex of the social pyramid, wielding unparalleled influence.
This scenario might evoke memories of the internet boom, when throngs of people sought to join the ranks of tech magnates or venture capitalists, believing that catching the wave would guarantee wealth and status. The “AI elite train” has even fewer seats and higher requirements—deep mathematical prowess, extraordinary creativity, and an acute understanding of industry trends are non-negotiable. This 1%-5% of the population will remain firmly atop the food chain.
The Middle Class: The “Engines of Human Creativity” (10%-30%)
In the previous technological revolution, many white-collar workers transitioned from repetitive tasks to creative roles in marketing, media, and design. In the AI age, these roles may either vanish or be redefined. For the middle class, the most valuable currency will be the spark of human ingenuity.
No matter how advanced AI becomes, it cannot generate training material out of thin air—it needs a constant stream of “feedstock” provided by humans. This feedstock includes creativity, ideas, stories, and imagination—the very elements that can catalyse transformative changes in AI models. These are the middle class’s competitive edge.
In a sense, this reimagined middle class resembles a group of creators operating at the frontier of art, culture, and media. They might include traditional professionals who retain practical expertise, but they also possess the ability to think beyond convention. Much like today’s influencers or content creators, their audience will expand beyond humans to include intelligent systems. AI, in turn, will rely on absorbing the values and aesthetics of human creativity to simulate or even innovate further. Those capable of interpreting AI feedback and using it to fuel ongoing innovation will anchor the middle stratum of the new social order.
The UBI Class: The “Peripheral Yet Essential” Majority (65%+)
One of the most controversial possibilities for the future is that AI will replace many traditional jobs at unprecedented speed. Even the most skilled human worker cannot compete with a robot’s unyielding precision and 24-hour availability, particularly in high-repetition or low-skill tasks. As a result, vast swathes of blue-collar and even white-collar jobs reliant on routine will face obsolescence.
What happens to this displaced majority? Universal Basic Income (UBI) may be one solution. In a world where machines shoulder the lion’s share of production, people will no longer need to endure long workdays to survive. Instead, the majority can subsist on basic income provided by governments or social institutions.
However, UBI is not synonymous with idleness. In a future flooded with AI-generated content—from immersive experiences to interactive media—the UBI class will become a vast cohort of “responders.” Through their likes, comments, and emotional feedback, they will provide vital data to refine AI systems. Greater participation may yield higher benefits, while minimal engagement will still afford a subsistence-level income.
This dynamic creates a massive feedback loop where AI generates creative works, and humans respond, enabling continuous refinement. While members of the UBI class might enjoy higher living standards and entertainment choices than in the past, their autonomy will likely diminish. The levers of creativity and control remain firmly in the hands of the elite and AI.
Division and Future: Creativity as the Crown Jewel
While these three groups appear distinct, they are interdependent. The elite lay the technological foundation, the middle class infuses it with creativity, and the UBI class provides the feedback that fuels refinement. Society, as always, marches forward, but not without growing pains. Even as AI’s benefits ripple outward, the gap between the upper and lower echelons—both material and existential—will widen. Yet history reminds us that humanity rarely stands still. With every new resource and opportunity, the ember of innovation glows even brighter.
This is why creativity deserves to be celebrated. Through countless waves of automation, the human spark has endured, undimmed. As Steve Jobs once said in his Stanford address, “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” In the AI age, we must adopt an open mindset, embrace knowledge, and nurture our creativity. In a world where information is abundant, pure inspiration—untouched by formulas—becomes the rarest commodity.
For educators, this presents a new challenge: how to pivot from teaching rote skills to fostering innovation. How can we prepare children to thrive alongside AI, not as passive users but as imaginative partners? The answer lies in cultivating originality, critical thinking, and self-expression.
In the summer of 2007, I wrestled with my university and career choices, unsure of what “practical” looked like. Decades later, I find myself facing an even greater shift, one that demands we all reconsider our roles in an AI-driven world. Perhaps in ten or twenty years, we will look back at today with a mix of awe and nostalgia, much like we now view the first computers we ever used.
AI heralds boundless opportunities—and fierce competition. Repetitive jobs will disappear, but new fields will emerge, becoming playgrounds for the bold. Who will wield AI’s sharp edge to carve out a new path for themselves and society? This is a question we must answer over a lifetime. Yet one thing remains certain: the human mind, with its boundless imagination, will remain our most irreplaceable asset—our ace in the ever-changing game of progress.