Dr. Kai-Fu Lee argues that AI is far more transformative than the "Fourth Industrial Revolution" comparison suggests. As AI becomes near-free and ubiquitous, organizations must shift from implementing surface-level AI apps (200–800 apps with no clear ROI) to building Enterprise Universe Models that give AI proper business context. The future organizational structure will replace hierarchical pyramids with DRI (Directly Responsible Individual / Mini-CEO) roles empowered with AI agents as "digital staff," enabling flat structures where humans provide accountability and creativity while AI handles execution. SMEs must urgently adapt: the economic upside is 5–10x GDP growth over 5–10 years, but only for organizations that use AI strategically—not as a gimmick—and train workforces to collaborate effectively with AI.
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