On August 6th， at the opening of the 13th Internet Security Conference (ISC.AI 2025)， Zhou Hongyi， founder of 360 Group， took the stage to deliver a speech. A significant portion of his address focused on the transformative impact of large language models (LLMs) in the current era.
During his presentation， Zhou Hongyi addressed a widely debated question: “Who will be eliminated in the AI era?” While admitting he doesn’t have a definitive answer， he shared a key insight: “Nations， industries， or individuals that do not embrace AI will undoubtedly be replaced by those that do.”
He illustrated this point with a relatable analogy: “You don’t necessarily need to outrun a bear; you just need to be faster than your companion.” This highlights the competitive nature of technological adoption， where progress is often relative to one’s peers.
Zhou Hongyi also cautioned successful individuals against a common pitfall during periods of significant technological change. He observed that past successes， and the accumulated experience that comes with them， can sometimes lead to underestimating or dismissing emerging technologies. This “look down upon” mentality can become a significant impediment to progress.
He elaborated that this dismissive attitude often results in a lack of serious learning and engagement with new technologies. Consequently， individuals or organizations may fail to comprehend， clearly discern， or ultimately adapt to the evolving landscape， leading to their obsolescence. This underscores the critical need for open-mindedness and proactive learning in an era defined by rapid technological advancement.
The adage “Live until you’re old， and you’ll learn until you’re old， yet there are still three-tenths you haven’t learned” perfectly encapsulates the continuous nature of learning. In today’s fast-paced and knowledge-driven environment， maintaining a commitment to lifelong learning and self-improvement is paramount. By consistently acquiring new skills and adapting to change， individuals and organizations can stay relevant， navigate the currents of progress， and avoid being left behind by the relentless march of innovation.
