Zhou Hongyi's Hong Kong University Lecture: How Young People Can Seize Opportunities in the Age of Large Models

Zhou Hongyi's Hong Kong University Lecture: How Young People Can Seize Opportunities in the Age of Large ModelsOn December 18th, at the "Convergence of Wisdom, Innovation, and the Future Leaders' Entrepreneur Forum Series" held at the University of Hong Kong, 360 Group founder Zhou Hongyi was appointed as a visiting professor at the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Business and Economics (HKU Business School). He delivered a captivating lecture titled "What Young People Should Do in the Age of Large Models" to over 400 undergraduate and postgraduate students and alumni of HKU

Zhou Hongyi's Hong Kong University Lecture: How Young People Can Seize Opportunities in the Age of Large Models

On December 18th, at the "Convergence of Wisdom, Innovation, and the Future Leaders' Entrepreneur Forum Series" held at the University of Hong Kong, 360 Group founder Zhou Hongyi was appointed as a visiting professor at the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Business and Economics (HKU Business School). He delivered a captivating lecture titled "What Young People Should Do in the Age of Large Models" to over 400 undergraduate and postgraduate students and alumni of HKU. He engaged in a deep conversation with Mao Zhenhua, founder of Zhongchengxin Group and Professor of Economics at HKU Business School, and interacted with students, sharing his unique insights into the opportunities and challenges of the AI era.

Zhou Hongyi's lecture centered on current technological trends, future opportunities, and how young people can grasp these trends and innovate in the new age of artificial intelligence. He emphasized that AI is not an innate human habit; active learning and application are necessary to build AI literacy. "AI offers an even greater opportunity than the internet, capable of reshaping all products and businesses, but the prerequisite is to first establish AI literacy and then elevate that understanding to a belief."

Zhou Hongyi further elaborated on what constitutes "AI belief," identifying three key aspects: first, believing that large models represent true intelligence and mark a significant turning point in AI development; second, believing that large models will trigger an industrial revolution, reshaping all products and businesses; and third, believing that organizations and individuals who do not embrace AI will ultimately be surpassed by those who do. He pointed out that failing to recognize and understand the potential of AI now will lead to missed opportunities in the future.

Zhou Hongyi delved into the fundamental differences between the internet and artificial intelligence. He argued that the internet is a connecting platform, while AI is a productivity-enhancing tool. The internet can independently form a virtual electronic space, potentially unrelated to the real world, but AI must be closely integrated with the real world. He also stressed that in developing AI, disruptive innovation shouldn't be the initial pursuit; instead, the principle of "empowerment before disruption" should be followed. Many companies need not blindly search for second or third growth curves or change industries; leveraging AI to reshape their existing industries can create numerous new opportunities.

Zhou Hongyi summarized eight major trends in AI development: 1) the development speed of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is slowing down, providing more time and opportunities for entrepreneurs and nations; 2) slow thinking is becoming a new paradigm, with AI improving the accuracy and quality of problem-solving; 3) specialized large models are emerging as a trend, focusing on specific domains and professional data; 4) model miniaturization is becoming increasingly apparent, facilitating easier deployment on various hardware devices; 5) model capabilities are strengthening, with improved learning and generalization abilities; 6) model costs are decreasing, fostering the growth of application ecosystems; 7) AI agents are emerging as a new direction; and 8) the infrastructure for AI is maturing, making it the optimal time for large-scale application of large models.

Zhou Hongyi predicted that future AI development will follow two paths: AGI and application. AGI will continue to explore superintelligence surpassing human capabilities, while the application path focuses on enhancing model capabilities through specialization and professional data, transforming large models from "atomic bombs" to "tea eggs." He advised ordinary companies and entrepreneurs to seek innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities through the application path.

Zhou Hongyi further suggested exploring opportunities in six major application areas of large models: 1) individual intelligence, enhancing individual productivity and creating individual superpowers; 2) universal intelligence, redefining smart hardware and promoting efficient large model deployment through end-cloud collaboration; 3) digital transformation and intelligent upgrading, helping traditional industries build new production capabilities; 4) empowering future and emerging industries, such as low-altitude economy, biomedicine, autonomous driving, and embodied intelligence; 5) creating a new scientific paradigm, with AI+science becoming a driving force for social development; and 6) AI security, with 360's proposed "model-based model" approach using secure large models to address new AI security issues.

In his conversation with Professor Mao Zhenhua and interactions with students, Zhou Hongyi explored AI business models, entrepreneurship, and how young people can seize the opportunities of the era. Regarding AI business models, he believes success hinges on resource integration, addressing user pain points, and creating new demands or filling unmet needs. Since the marginal cost of AI services isn't zero costs increase with more users AI development may shift towards user-paid subscription models.

On entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial spirit, Zhou Hongyi stressed that entrepreneurs need to identify opportunities amidst uncertainty, adapting strategies and directions in response to rapid market and technological changes. Successful entrepreneurs skillfully utilize collaboration and alliances to drive industry progress rather than relying on competition and conflict.

Advising young people on seizing opportunities and realizing their potential, Zhou Hongyi encouraged them to become users and experiencers of AI products, not bystanders. "No matter how much I describe how delicious a bun is, it's not as good as you buying one and trying it yourself," he said, urging young people to actively engage and experience AI technology to truly grasp the pulse of the times and create their own success in the AI era. He believes that by embracing change and pursuing innovation, young people can achieve their potential and contribute to societal progress in this era of opportunity.

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