Speaking at the 2026 Chongli Forum, the founder of New Oriental, Yu Minhong, expressed concerns about the societal impacts of artificial intelligence. He noted that while the internet era generated countless jobs and AI is expected to create many new opportunities in the future, there is a worrying trend emerging.

According to Yu, artificial intelligence is increasingly replacing the roles of ordinary workers, particularly those who have relied on repetitive labor for their livelihoods over the past several centuries. The new jobs created by AI, he added, will require people to relearn skills and redefine their professional identities.

Yu drew parallels to the Industrial Revolution but emphasized that the current shift is far more intense. He highlighted a unique phenomenon: AI is concentrating the world's wealth into the hands of a very small minority at an unprecedented speed. He pointed out that AI-related listed companies now boast market capitalizations ranging from hundreds of billions to trillions, yet these gains are not trickling down to the general public.

The founder warned that this trend could significantly exacerbate social inequality. The most striking feature of this disparity, he noted, is that the wealth generated by AI for the ultra-rich does not create opportunities for ordinary people, nor does it circulate back to them through any meaningful channel. Consequently, the average person may find themselves largely unable to share in the benefits brought about by technological progress.