Summary of Key Points
This article uses the incident of an AI company hosting a private party at a nightclub to celebrate its success and discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by ordinary people in the age of AI. On one hand, AI is replacing jobs that require specialized skills, leaving many with no traditional means of income. On the other hand, the "rational consumption" of tech elites—investing money in the future rather than the present—is preventing wealth from reaching ordinary people. In contrast, the more "old-fashioned" business owners and extravagant individuals of the past were able to contribute to society through their spending habits. The article urges tech companies to invest more in services that benefit ordinary people and suggests that individuals can find opportunities by mastering social skills that AI cannot provide. It also explores potential new applications for AI in nightclubs.
Detailed Analysis
1. AI Companies Celebrating with Dance Parties: Criticisms May Mean Losses for Ordinary People
Many people criticize AI companies for focusing on entertainment rather than technology, but this could actually be an opportunity for tech wealth to reach ordinary individuals. The staff at nightclubs—waiters, DJs, bartenders, and venue workers—do not necessarily understand coding or use AI. The money spent by the companies on private parties directly goes into their pockets. This form of "wealth distribution" is more tangible for ordinary people than simply releasing AI models for free; after all, most people will never use GitHub, but they can earn from serving these tech companies. If the critics have only a secondary education (as mentioned in the article), do they really think they could become algorithm engineers? It might be better for them to hope that tech companies hold more parties, providing them with jobs.
2. Old-Fashioned Business Owners May Be a Lifeline
The older generation of business owners understood the importance of social dynamics: knowing who should sit where and how to arrange events properly, which gave ordinary people opportunities even if their skills were average. However, the new generation of tech elites prioritize efficiency, and they will replace such employees with AI that works faster, better, and more cost-effectively. They don't even offer the opportunity for social networking because AI can handle these tasks precisely, but social interactions provide emotional value that AI cannot. For ordinary people, having old-fashioned business owners around might at least ensure a source of income.
3. Tech Elites Being "Frugal" Makes It Harder for Ordinary People to Make Money
As children, we all dreamed that celebrities' wealth would go to scientists; now that's becoming a reality, but tech elites are too rational with their money, investing it in AI research or space exploration. This wealth flows to capital, computing power, and a few geniuses, leaving ordinary people out. In contrast, the extravagant spending of the past (on cars, parties, luxury goods) benefited those who provided related services. Thus, the "virtues" of tech elites can be a disaster for ordinary people; without this spending, how can they make ends meet today?
4. AI Taking Jobs? Social Skills May Be Your Last Line of Defense
AI can replace professional tasks, but it cannot provide emotional value. For example, AI cannot accompany bosses at dinners or help with interpersonal relationships in a way that makes them feel valued. Learning social skills is crucial; while you may not be able to learn algorithms, you can learn how to make your boss happy and handle human interactions, which AI cannot yet do. Therefore, don't just criticize the old ways of doing things—they might be essential survival skills in the AI era.
5. What New Possibilities Could AI and Nightclubs Bring Together?
The article's author, a nightlife blogger, hoped for innovative applications of AI at the party, but they weren't realized. He envisioned several possibilities:
- AI-Made Music: Choosing the perfect songs based on guests' preferences and behaviors in real time.
- Personalized Background Music: Generating unique background music for each guest upon entry.
- AI-Sponsored Social Interaction: Creating fun quizzes (more engaging than MBTI tests) to help guests connect with others.
- AI-Enhanced Visuals: Collaborating with AI-generated artists to create dynamic, personalized lighting and visuals.
These ideas could make nightclubs more enjoyable and bring AI technology closer to everyday life. It's a pity that these features weren't utilized in this particular celebration.
Conclusion
The article reflects the anxiety and calls for action from the perspective of ordinary people: while AI progress is positive, we must ensure it doesn't leave them behind. Tech companies should invest more in services that benefit ordinary individuals, and people should learn social skills that complement technological advancements. After all, future achievements (like space exploration or AGI) are important, but daily life is what most people need to focus on right now.