1
From the wave of protests triggered by Wuhan taxi drivers over the launch of the carrot run driverless service, to the historical scene of United States people in the central and western regions who switched to Trump eight years ago due to the uneven distribution of globalization dividends, and then to the current global trade dispute over the imposition of high tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, there is a fundamental logic behind this series of events.
Technological innovation, the deep integration of vertically integrated supply chains and financial capital are exacerbating the differentiation of social interests at an astonishing rate. In this process, the lack of incremental employment opportunities has failed to effectively alleviate the impact of the substitution effect, resulting in a rise in the unemployment rate, which has become the tipping point of this series of social phenomena.
Should we deeply reflect and re-examine the trajectory of technological and social development over the past few decades?
In today's exponential growth of science and technology, should we call for a slower pace so that social civilization can keep up with its pace and achieve common progress?
GDP, traditionally seen as an important measure of social progress, is increasingly being exposed as a disconnect from how people actually feel. In the context of rapid technological change, should we re-evaluate the utility of GDP and find a more comprehensive and accurate evaluation system?
Technological advances have undoubtedly brought unprecedented prosperity and change to humanity, but we must also face up to their negative impacts, such as increased unemployment, frequent ethical challenges, and subtle shifts in social balance. In the face of these challenges, we can no longer turn a blind eye or simply shy away from them.
2
Fears of rising unemployment due to technological advances may be countered by citing the history of automobiles replacing horse-drawn carriages as an example. However, this analogy is particularly far-fetched in today's social context. The replacement of automobiles and horse-drawn carriages not only involves the upgrading of means of transportation, but also accompanies the profound changes in the industrial structure and the comprehensive upgrading of consumer demand. However, the current automation and intelligent technology often impacts traditional industries with a more rapid trend, while failing to generate enough new jobs to fill the vacancy in time.
Since the age of the steam engine, human productivity has achieved a qualitative leap, but at the same time, it has also brought severe challenges to the overexploitation of natural resources and environmental pollution. Especially in the past two decades, with the rapid development of information technology and the substantial improvement of computing power, the speed of scientific and technological progress has reached an unprecedented height. This exponential growth has not only changed our mode of production and lifestyle, but also profoundly affected the employment structure and interest pattern of society.
3
In the face of these changes and challenges, should we re-examine the traditional concept of employment and development model?
In today's rapid development of technology, we can no longer simply see the issue of employment as a substitute for one industry for another. On the contrary, we should take a broader view of the overall situation and actively explore new growth points and employment opportunities. For example, with the improvement of environmental awareness and the rapid development of new energy technology, we can vigorously develop green industries and circular economy; With the intensification of the aging trend of the population and the improvement of people's living standards, we can actively expand emerging areas such as the pension industry and service industry.
At the same time, the government and research institutions should also strengthen in-depth research and analysis on the relationship between science and technology, employment and society. Through scientific data and rigorous research, we will reveal the far-reaching impact of scientific and technological progress on the employment structure of society, and formulate corresponding policy measures to address these challenges. Only in this way can we move forward steadily in the wave of science and technology and realize the harmonious coexistence of science and technology and society.
4
The rise of artificial intelligence has undoubtedly exacerbated social anxiety. As autonomous driving technology matures, it is estimated that about 20 million truck drivers and 10 million taxi drivers (including ride-hailing) drivers will face severe challenges in career transformation, which is related to 30 million families, and if calculated at an average of three people per family, it will directly affect the livelihood safety net of nearly 100 million people. Although the smart software and hardware industry has brought in a certain number of new jobs, it seems difficult to make up for the vacancies caused by the unemployment of this large group of people.
However, the picture is quite different: the convergence of artificial intelligence and big data in the power system has not cut jobs, but has created new jobs that far exceed the number of traditional ones. China's State Grid, one of the leaders in patent output, is a vivid example of this change. With the diversification of the energy structure and the rapid increase in the complexity of the power grid system, the application of big data and artificial intelligence has become an indispensable "intelligent engine" to help the efficient integration and utilization of new energy sources such as wind power and photovoltaics. In the process, not only did it drive the rapid development of wind turbines, photovoltaics, electric vehicles and energy storage technologies, but it also led to large-scale job growth, improved environmental quality, and reduced carbon emissions.
Looking back at the magnificent course of China's reform and opening up, this great decision that began in 1978 coincided with the opportunity for global capital to seek a new way out and the globalization of the manufacturing industry. However, the double-edged sword effect of globalization has also been fully revealed, and the hollowing out of manufacturing in the Midwest United States is one of its direct consequences, which not only accelerated the decline of the local economy, but also profoundly affected the political landscape of United States, which became an important social background for Trump's election and trade war.
I've traveled to the Midwest of United States and seen firsthand small towns like Peking, where the residents of small, bleak unemployment, like Peking, whose residents once lived a middle-class life that was gone, leaving nothing but depression and despair. This social phenomenon is profoundly depicted in works such as "The Tragedy of the Countryman", and the author of the book, J.D. Vance, who became a member of the Trump campaign, which undoubtedly resonates deeply with the current social dilemma.
In the face of the efficiency revolution brought about by science and technology, the advantages of labor quantity and cost are gradually weakening, what is the future path of underdeveloped regions and countries? Will the traditional low-end manufacturing transfer model still work? With the in-depth development of automation, intelligence and informatization, the proportion of labor costs in the manufacturing industry is decreasing, coupled with the global general concern for environmental protection and carbon emissions, the motivation for capital flow to underdeveloped regions or countries may be weakened. Especially when China's coastal areas have formed an efficient and complete supply chain system, and its comprehensive cost advantage is difficult to shake, it is necessary to think about a new development model.
China's successful practice of targeted poverty alleviation provides valuable inspiration for this. Through the development strategy of adapting measures to local conditions, such as the linkage of winemaking, agriculture and tourism in Guizhou, eco-tourism and export of agricultural products in Yunnan, and the development of clean energy and characteristic industries in Ningxia, Inner Mongolia and Gansu relying on resource advantages, it has not only effectively promoted local economic development, but also created a large number of employment opportunities. This model of precise policy implementation and diversified development has strong reference significance for underdeveloped countries in the future.
At the same time, as an important part of the global manufacturing industry, China's vertically integrated industrial chain and cost advantages have had a profound impact on the international market. In the face of high tariff barriers such as electric vehicles, how should China play a more active role in the global economic structure and demonstrate the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind is a question worth pondering. China should not only continue to promote the transformation and upgrading of its own industries, but also strengthen cooperation and exchanges with other countries to jointly explore new paths for sustainable development.
5
While focusing on employment and development opportunities in underdeveloped regions, the ethical boundaries of science and technology have become an issue that cannot be ignored. Going back more than 20 years, the birth of the United Kingdom clone "Dolly the Sheep" not only shook the scientific community, but also caused an uproar in the field of ethics. This milestone achievement, like a double-edged sword, not only shows the infinite possibilities of science and technology, but also deeply touches the sensitive nerves of human ethics.
The advent of "Dolly" not only marks a major breakthrough in cloning technology, but also triggers a profound discussion on bioethics: should human embryonic stem cells become a commodity? Who is in charge of the right to life during pregnancy? What is the boundary between human-animal hybrid embryos? Where is the ethical bottom line for cloning humans and even gene editing? With the decryption of personal genetic information, will it become a new source of discrimination? In the face of the certainty of life, how will the meaning of human existence be redefined? What's more, when eternal life becomes possible, family structures, social classes, and even the concept of human "generations" will face unprecedented challenges.
As the life sciences move forward at a rapid pace, we can't help but ask: Are societies, laws, and religions ready to meet the ethical challenges posed by these technologies? How to define the ethical bottom line of scientific research? In the journey of exploring the unknown, ethics and knowledge should go hand in hand, becoming the two wheels that guide us forward.
In recent years, with the surge of innovation, ethical risks in the life sciences have rarely been brought into the spotlight. Governments, media, experts and entrepreneurs are focusing more on technological breakthroughs and applications, while ignoring the ethical reefs behind them. How to predict, track and formulate corresponding systems and norms in advance to prevent the recurrence of P2P mistakes has become an urgent problem to be solved.
When wealth becomes a bargaining chip for life extension, and when cross-border childbirth becomes commonplace, how will ordinary people's cognition be reconstructed? How will the governance logic of governments be adjusted? Similarly, the advent of the intelligent era is not without ethical risks. We need to take a cautious look at the potential implications of each technological advancement.
6
When it comes to social balance, the report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has pointed out the direction for us: the main contradiction in Chinese society lies in the contradiction between the people's growing demand for a better life and unbalanced and inadequate development. This contradiction is not a purely economic issue, but involves all aspects of social life.
It is true that over the past 40 years of reform and opening up, the progress of science and technology has greatly promoted the development of social productive forces, and the growth of GDP, the increase in employment, and the improvement of living standards have all demonstrated the tremendous contributions of science and technology. Yet, why do we still feel the existence of these contradictions? Is it just because the GDP has not yet reached a certain tipping point?
The case of United States may shed some light on it. Even though China's per capita GDP is several times higher, the widening gap between rich and poor and the shrinking middle class still fail to bring a universal sense of gain, happiness and security. The progress of science and technology has not only created wealth, but also brought about changes in the employment structure, imbalances in income distribution, and even the challenges of globalization.
Faced with these questions, we can't help but ask: has the double-edged sword effect of technology already felt? Should we revisit the path of technological development to ensure that its outcomes reach a wider range of people? And will United States-style redistribution of wealth provide us with a solution? After all, dignity and happiness often come from a decent job, not just financial relief.
Yuval · Harari's prediction in "A Brief History of the Future" is a wake-up call: under the wave of technology, the division between superhumans and useless classes may become a reality. This is not only a problem of science and technology, but also a profound proposition that we human beings need to face.
Finally, the discussion of GDP as a measure of social progress is also worth pondering. Although GDP can reflect the state of economic operation, it is difficult to fully reflect the multiple values of society. When economic growth cannot keep pace with employment, the gap between the rich and the poor, environmental protection and people's well-being, we should perhaps explore a more comprehensive and scientific evaluation system. After all, true social progress should be happiness and tranquility shared by all people.
The third example focuses on ourselves, since the reform and opening up, China's economy has taken off like a giant dragon and achieved remarkable achievements. However, this glorious journey has also come with environmental costs that cannot be ignored. In some areas, the excessive pursuit of economic growth has neglected environmental protection, leading to serious pollution problems, and even a painful case of an abnormally high cancer incidence and mortality rate in the entire village due to environmental pollution. This is not only a wake-up call for nature, but also a profound reflection on the human development model.
The fourth example turns to neighboring Japan, which is often said to have experienced a "lost thirty years", but a closer look shows that Japan has shown excellent performance in terms of employment, wealth distribution, environmental protection, and life expectancy. This begs the question, what is real economic development? Should we go beyond a single economic growth rate and pursue a more comprehensive and sustainable development model?
Dig deeper, what is human economic development pursuing? Is it cold digital growth, or is it heart-warming contentment? Isn't the original intention of our development to allow more people to enjoy a happy life and make the society more harmonious and prosperous? Science and technology, as an important force for social progress, should be seen as a means to achieve this goal, not as an end in itself.
Therefore, the development of science and technology must be strictly constrained by social ethics to ensure that its results benefit the whole society, rather than exacerbate social injustice and division. We need to re-examine the status of GDP as the sole indicator of social progress, which may be useful as a reflection of economic aggregates, but not as a measure of people's well-being, social equity, and environmental health.
Perhaps, it is time to explore a new evaluation system, a new indicator that takes into account multiple factors such as employment rates, wealth disparities, environmental quality and life expectancy. Such indicators will reflect the overall picture of social development more comprehensively and truthfully, and guide us towards a more balanced and sustainable future.
In order for the development of science and technology to truly promote social development and progress, the key is to ensure that its development direction is in line with social needs and ethical values. We need to establish a more complete regulatory mechanism to ensure ethical review and risk assessment in the process of scientific and technological research and development and application; At the same time, we should strengthen science and technology education and popularization, enhance the public's scientific and technological literacy and ethical awareness, and form a science and technology governance pattern in which the whole society participates.
Ultimately, our goal is to avoid the large-scale social rift brought about by the development of science and technology, and to prevent a few people from enjoying the scientific and technological achievements alone, while the majority of people are reduced to a "useless class". By building an inclusive growth model, we will ensure that the fruits of scientific and technological progress can benefit everyone, so that scientific and technological development can truly become an important force for promoting the comprehensive, harmonious and sustainable development of human society.
Source: Internet
Artificial Intelligence, Visual Algorithms, Big Data, Charging Piles, Energy Storage System Integration, Smart Charging Operation Platform
|New Energy Electric Vehicles||New Energy ||Intelligent information system, solution, operation platform construction
Huayuan System is committed to artificial intelligence (AI algorithm and streaming media technology), information software technology, new energy, Internet of Things and other fields of integrators, in the smart community, smart park, smart parking, charging pile (energy storage charging station/optical storage and charging) and charging pile software management platform, energy storage system integration, Internet of vehicles has a complete set of solutions and successful project cases.
Note: The materials cited in this article are legally obtained through public channels such as the Internet, and are only used for industry communication and learning, and have no commercial purpose. The copyright belongs to the author of the original material or the publishing house, and the editor does not assume any legal responsibility for the copyright issues involved. If the copyright owner or publisher believes that this article is infringing, please contact the editor immediately to delete it.