Summary of Key Points
On July 18, 2026, the "AI Innovators ThinkShare Forum," hosted by Yicai (First Financial), will be held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Hall. Closely aligned with the theme of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, "Intelligent Partners, Creating a Shared Future," the forum focuses on the core issue of "AI and 'Me': The Next Stage in Human-AI Relationships." The event brings together experts in AI, corporate executives, and representatives from investment institutions to discuss the profound impact of AI's transformation from a "passive tool" to an "active partner" on human society. This transformation affects not only production efficiency but also fundamental aspects such as the definition of human identity and social division of labor.
Detailed Interpretation
1. The Core of the ThinkShare Forum: Not About Technology, but About Questioning the Future of Human-AI Relationships
The focus of this forum is not on showcasing how impressive AI is, but rather on addressing two fundamental questions:
- Who am I? Here, "I" can refer to a professional in the workplace or someone from the industry, or even to all of humanity as a whole. The question also extends to consider whether AI could become another version of "us."
- What will be my relationship with AI? Will it be one where I use AI for tasks, or will we become partners working together, or even co-evolving beings?
The forum adopts a logical approach that moves from a broader perspective (civilization) to more specific applications (industry) and finally to individual interactions. It breaks down the larger issue of future human-AI relationships into three dimensions: the cosmic level (civilization), the practical level (industry), and the personal level (individuals).
2. The Civilizational Perspective: What Makes Humans Indispensable Even When AI Is More Advanced?
As AI surpasses humans in many areas (such as computing and data analysis), the main concern is: "What can humans still do?" This section explores the uniqueness of humanity from a civilizational standpoint:
- What makes us distinct? Is it creativity, empathy (e.g., comforting others), free will, or the unique life experiences that only humans have?
- How can carbon-based (humans) and silicon-based (AI) entities coexist? Will they compete for resources, collaborate, or perhaps achieve a symbiotic relationship?
Guests will discuss ethical and institutional issues, such as whether AI should be allowed to perform surgeries on its own and whether consumer-grade AI (e.g., chatbots) could become uncontrollable. They will also explore how the global community can establish rules to prevent AI from overstepping its bounds. Zhaopin.com will provide insights into job changes in the AI era, including which roles may disappear and new skills that will be needed.
3. The Industrial Perspective: AI Should Not Just Show Off Its Capabilities; It Must Solve Real Problems
Although AI is impressive in laboratories, its practical application in industries (such as urban management, finance, and healthcare) is crucial. This section examines the real-world implications of AI:
- In which scenarios can AI be truly useful? For example, can Ping An's "Good Doctor" AI serve as a reliable health advisor? Can Wanda EasyLink's "Intelligent Collaborative Network" enhance efficiency in industrial processes?
- What are the barriers to implementation? Many AI technologies sound promising, but they may not be profitable commercially or may not meet expectations. The roundtable discussions will focus on the challenges of applying AI in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare, identifying the gaps between potential capabilities and actual outcomes.
In other words, the goal is to determine whether AI can genuinely help industries save costs, improve efficiency, and address critical issues.
4. The Individual Level: Moving from Using Tools to Collaborating with AI
AI has evolved beyond being a mere command-and-control system; it now offers suggestions (e.g., generating reports or assisting in diagnoses). However, this brings new questions:
- Do you trust AI? If AI makes mistakes, can you accept the consequences?
- Where are the boundaries of division of labor? Should humans handle certain tasks, and AI handle others? For example, should AI gather data while humans refine the analysis, or should AI write the reports directly with human input?
Guests will discuss the challenges of making machines understand the physical world and how to build trust between humans and AI. Trust is essential for any successful partnership.
5. The Importance of These Questions: Fundamental Considerations That Impact the Future More Than AI Products Themselves
AI has become ubiquitous in our lives, from smartphone assistants to tools at work and medical diagnoses. However, we often overlook the profound implications of this: if AI becomes a true partner, we need to redefine who we are as individuals. Our value will no longer lie solely in computational abilities but in creativity and empathy, and our relationship with AI will shift from one of domination to collaboration.
There are no definitive answers to these questions, but raising them is a sign of progress. As the forum emphasizes, "The importance lies not in the answers but in the process of asking them." Only by clarifying these issues can we better prepare for the AI era.
In summary, this ThinkShare Forum is not about showcasing technology but about collectively exploring how humans will coexist with AI in the future. If you are concerned about how AI will impact your work, life, or even your identity, the event on July 18 is definitely worth attending.