AGI: The Industrial Revolution That Defines Generations

During an internal gathering commemorating the third anniversary of 01.AI, founder Kai-Fu Lee posed a profound question to his team: Why, at this stage of his life and career, does he choose to embark on the entrepreneurial journey once more? The answer is clear and powerful: The advent of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is poised to completely reshape every sector of human society. This is no ordinary business trend, but a historic opportunity so rare it might only appear once across dozens of generations. Lee revealed that this pursuit stems from a dream seeded forty-five years ago, with a faded Ph.D. application letter still serving as a testament to that original aspiration.

From Dao Begets One to Three Begets All Things: Forging a Path Through Chaos

The company's name, "01.AI", draws inspiration from the ancient wisdom of the Tao Te Ching. Lee interprets it as a complete cycle of creation:

  • Dao Begets One: Represents the conviction from zero to one, the firm belief in AGI, bringing concept into existence.
  • One Begets Two: Symbolizes enduring the intense tearing and contradiction akin to the forces of yin and yang.
  • Two Begets Three: Means forging an unprecedented third path from the pressure and opposition of the two poles, finding stability amidst uncertainty.
  • Three Begets All Things: Marks the beginning of using this uniquely forged capability to genuinely impact and change the world.

Navigating the Darkest Hour: Refusing to Turn Off the Lights Before Dawn

Reflecting on the past three years, the path has been far from smooth. Lee highlighted the most challenging period about eighteen months ago: external sentiment was overwhelmingly pessimistic, predicting the team's exit from the competitive landscape or even collapse. A close friend once suggested downsizing the team to a mere ten people and coasting on existing funds. However, Lee held a fundamentally different view. "How can one choose to 'coast' when building a venture for such an epochal opportunity and a lifelong dream?" he asserted. "Quitting at that moment would be like turning off all the lights just as the sky is about to light up at dawn." That was the true manifestation of the "One Begets Two" phase—a violent collision between lofty technological ideals and harsh business realities, bringing deep pain, external skepticism, and internal self-doubt. Yet, it was precisely this agonizing, almost excruciating tension that ultimately forced the team to make pivotal strategic pivots and solidified their resolve to reject inefficient, inward-looking competition.