Yao Qizhi: Human-AI Synergy to Define Future Competitiveness, China Leads Global AI Charge

At the recent Thinkers Forum during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, Turing Award laureate and academician Yao Qizhi shared profound insights into the trajectory of AI development. His perspective extended beyond technological frontiers to explore how AI is reshaping human capability and the very nature of future competition.

China's AI Ascent: From Follower to Frontrunner

When assessing the current state of China's AI industry, Yao Qizhi offered a clear verdict. He observed that China's progress in artificial intelligence over recent years has been remarkably rapid, with its overall development level now firmly positioned within the global top tier. This assessment stems from a comprehensive view encompassing fundamental research, industrial application, and talent cultivation.

This accelerated growth is not accidental. It is underpinned by sustained investment, a dynamic innovation ecosystem, and strategic focus on key directions. Yao's comments highlight a pivotal shift in China's role within the global AI landscape.

The Core Thesis: Humans as the Ultimate Resource, Tools as Force Multipliers

Amid the technological fervor, Yao Qizhi anchored his discussion to a fundamental principle: the value of the human element. He explicitly stated that “the human being itself is the most precious resource.” This assertion frames the relationship between AI and humanity—technology serves as a tool, and its purpose is to empower people.

“Only when humans learn to use tools do they become more powerful together with them.” This succinctly captures the core logic of human-AI collaboration. AI is not a replacement but the latest powerful capability amplifier for humanity, following computers and the internet. The crucial factor is “learning to use,” meaning humans must develop new skills and mindsets for effective collaboration with intelligent tools.

The Future Outlook: A Paradigm Shift in Research and Competition

Yao made a specific and compelling prediction for the near future: “I believe that in two or three years, AI will bring earth-shaking changes to those engaged in scientific research.” This implies that workflows across every discipline—from life sciences and materials physics to social sciences and mathematical deduction—are poised for redefinition.

More notably, he redefined the basic unit of future competitiveness: “In the future, personal capability combined with AI tools will form a new entity. The object of competition will be this combination, not the individual alone.”

This foreshadows several key shifts:

  • A Shift in Evaluation Metrics: An individual's domain expertise combined with their efficiency in collaborating with AI will jointly constitute the new core competitiveness.
  • An Expansion of Learning: Future education and training must extend beyond imparting domain knowledge to include methodologies for “problem-solving in synergy with AI.”
  • An Innovation in Organization: Enterprises and research institutions will need to foster environments and cultures that encourage and optimize this human-AI combinatorial innovation.

Yao Qizhi's discussion moves beyond mere technical benchmarks, pointing toward deeper changes in social and professional structures. For researchers, educators, and anyone navigating this transformative era, proactively understanding and embracing this new identity as part of a “human-AI combination” may be the most crucial preparation for the profound changes ahead.