At just 20 years old, Chi Guangyao made a bold decision to abandon the guaranteed path of graduate school, despite having a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Instead, he ventured into the world of AI startups, driven by the belief that artificial intelligence would redefine how we work and create.

His journey began during college with an innovative project — a mini-program called "Sushiji" that tracked time. It caught the attention of AI investment funds, but it wasn't until the rise of ChatGPT that Chi truly understood the vast potential AI had to transform industries.

Today, Chi is the founder of Copy-Ask, an AI-powered software with over 90,000 downloads and nearly 100,000 users since its launch in May 2023.

The platform offers features like translation, summarization, and search, demonstrating AI's ability to boost productivity and automate repetitive tasks.

"Instead of writing lines of code, AI handles the heavy lifting, allowing us humans to focus on higher-level tasks like customer communication and decision-making," Chi explained.

As AI becomes a game-changer for industries, experts like Han Hua, a professor at Shanghai University of Engineering and Technology, predict that high-skill jobs like data scientists and machine learning engineers will become even more crucial.

"The new changes in the job market require young people to constantly upgrade their skills and adapt," Han said.

AI's impact isn't limited to the workplace. For many young people, like 26-year-old game translator Chen Suyue, AI is a tool for navigating social pressures.

"I find myself having a strong desire to share my feelings, but I worry my friends might get annoyed if they keep listening to my complaints," Chen said. "With AI, however, there's no judgment. It always offers emotional support and helpful advice."

For example, whenever her parents asked about her salary, Chen would feel anxious. "I think earning is a very sensitive topic," she said. "More importantly, I'm afraid that I haven't met their expectation as an 'outstanding daughter'."

In such moments, her AI companion offers comfort, helping her interpret her parents' concerns as expressions of care rather than pressure.

The AI also helps her navigate social situations — like politely declining social events she doesn't want to attend and settling her secret thoughts that she prefers to hide from her friends.

"Everyone is under so much pressure these days. AI is a great listener," Chen said.

However, she cautioned against over-dependence on AI, emphasizing that virtual relationships cannot replace real-life connections.

Beyond emotional support, AI is also fueling creativity and personal passions.

Guo Tiwei, 24, has integrated AI into GoAfar, a travel-planning tool he designed to craft highly personalized itineraries.

The mini-program can quickly generate detailed travel plans, including recommendations for sightseeing spots, self-driving durations, and even weather forecasts.

Guo explained that AI makes travel planning not only easier but also more flexible. "You can adjust plans at the last minute without worrying about causing trouble for anyone," he said.

Guo's project exemplifies how AI is shaping the future, enabling young people to pursue their passions with greater freedom and flexibility.

From the workplace to personal life, AI is proving to be a transformative force for a new generation.

guojiatong@i21st.cn