AI Era, Industrial Revolution, and Future Civilization Interview — Zhang Dingwen: The Future Does Not Belong to Chasers
"AI Era, Industrial Revolution and Future Civilization: An Interview with Zhang Dingwen – The Future Does Not Belong to Those Who Chase"
In this interview, entrepreneur Zhang Dingwen reflects on his entrepreneurial journey and philosophy, moving beyond discussions of financing or success to emphasize understanding the "era" itself. He argues that true entrepreneurs should not chase short-term trends ("winds"), but position themselves in the direction of long-term technological and societal evolution.
Zhang shares key lessons from his early days, including the realization that user value does not automatically translate to commercial value. For him, the core of entrepreneurship is not building a company but constantly upgrading one's own "cognition" – the ability to interpret information, ask the right questions, and understand the underlying "causes" behind business outcomes, not just the effects.
His thinking has evolved from a focus on creating good products to a strategic focus on building "entrances" – platforms that naturally connect users to digital services. He sees smart wearables, like watches, not merely as hardware but as potential future gateways combining technological, financial, social, and even fashion attributes to create sustained user relationships and ecosystems.
Ultimately, Zhang's vision transcends individual products or companies. He discusses business competition in three stages: product, platform, and finally, "civilization" – where the greatest companies influence how society operates by defining new rules and ways of life. He believes the mission of a truly great enterprise is to solve problems of its time, build enduring trust, and contribute lasting value, leaving behind not just wealth but a positive impact on how the world works. The future, he concludes, belongs not to the fastest, but to those with the correct long-term direction and a commitment to continuous learning and evolution.
marsbit07/21 08:29