As artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence in many areas, the question of what roles remain for people becomes critical. At a recent book event in Beijing, Kai-Fu Lee, CEO of 01.AI, addressed this topic, outlining a future where humans must leverage their unique strengths.
Lee argued that humanity still has numerous paths forward. The first step is learning to manage and effectively utilize AI tools. He explained that while AI excels in "left-brain" analytical tasks, it currently lacks the "right-brain" capabilities—such as empathy, aesthetic taste, and visionary foresight—that define human distinction. These qualities are not derived from data, allowing humans to make unpredictable leaps, like the invention of the iPhone, reusable rockets, or ChatGPT itself. Such innovations could not have been generated by an AI model, as there was no existing data to suggest these ventures were possible.
For career guidance in the AI era, Lee advised job seekers to avoid fields with abundant data. "In any area where data exists, humans cannot compete with AI," he stated. Instead, he recommended choosing open-ended fields over closed ones. He contrasted a factory assembly line, a "closed" system with standardized, predictable processes easily automated by AI, with the work of a plumber. Plumbing is an "open" field because every household's pipe issue is unique, making it impractical for a robot to handle the repairs.
Lee believes that in the current landscape, where AI surpasses human brainpower rather than physical labor and robotics are still developing, open-ended blue-collar jobs will be harder to replace for the next five to ten years. He emphasized that the most significant future employment opportunities likely lie in roles heavily dependent on interpersonal relationships, built on trust. "Any job that involves building trust, care, and emotional connections between people cannot be replaced by AI," Lee said. Professions like nursing, teaching, tour guiding, key account sales, and real estate sales are examples where people will likely insist on face-to-face interaction for a long time to come. Finally, Lee highlighted the importance of cultivating "soft" skills, such as emotional intelligence, communication, and teamwork, which are essential for humans to maintain their advantage in the AI era.
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