Although globalization and the Internet have shortened the distance between countries it is likely to widen the gap between classes; humans seem to be achieving global unity but human species may split into different species.
If the rich use their superior ability to further strengthen themselves and have more money to buy a stronger body and brain then the difference will only grow larger over time. By 2100 the richest 1% of the population may not only have most of the world's wealth but also the majority of the world's beauty creativity and health.
Therefore after the rise of bioengineering and artificial intelligence humans may split into two groups a small group of superhumans and most of the lower-level and useless Homo sapiens.
In the long run this may even lead to “de-globalization” around the world the upper castes are gathered from what is called “civilization” and the walls and moats are used to separate themselves from the “barbarians” of the outside world.
But by the 21st century the importance of data will transcend land and machinery so the political struggle is to compete for control of the data flow. When too much data is concentrated in the hands of a few people humans will split into different species.
The competition for data has begun and is currently led by data giants such as Google Facebook Baidu and Tencent. So far most of these giants have adopted the “attentionmerchant” business model attracting our attention by providing free information services and entertainment and then reselling our attention to advertisers.
In the long run as long as sufficient data and computing power are available the data giant can crack the deepest secrets of life not only to choose or manipulate us but may even redesign biological or inorganic life forms.
Most people will find it difficult to resist this process. At least for now people are still happy to give up their most valuable assets (their personal information) in exchange for free e-mail services and cute cat videos. This is a bit like the aboriginal tribes of Africa and the Americas inadvertently sold the entire country to a European country in exchange for beads of various colors and cheap jewelry.
Humans may have completely integrated with the machine and cannot survive once they are disconnected from the network.
If we can't find out the answer quickly our social and political system may face a collapse. People have already felt that this disaster is in sight perhaps because of this the global people have begun to lose confidence in the story of liberalism and just 10 years ago liberalism seems to be forever unstoppable.
Data is the most important asset of the 21st century
We have become a commodity of the data giant not a user
Data ownership will be the most important "political" issue of this era
Human life is significantly extended you may have to change career every 10 years
Instead of wanting to win AI it is better to focus on cooperation with AI.
The goal of a happy society is to satisfy human pursuit of meaning and community.
The monetary system is facing major changes and the government may levy taxes on information in the future.
We are entering a "post-truth" era you know less than you think
Parents and teachers should teach their children the ability to embrace the unknown not the information and skills.
"Listening to your inner voice" will become more and more dangerous
