Yuval Noah Harari warns AI could create a 'useless class' as China tightens AI regulations

Historian Yuval Noah Harari, author of *Sapiens* and *Homo Deus*, cautions that increasingly capable artificial intelligence may render large segments of the population economically and politically irrelevant, creating what he calls a “useless class.” He argues that AI is now surpassing human cognition in complex tasks, threatening jobs that previously relied on mental skills and challenging education systems that may become obsolete for future workers.

In China, policymakers are responding to similar concerns. Recent actions include halting new autonomous‑vehicle licenses after robotaxi failures, a court ruling that companies cannot fire workers merely to replace them with AI, and a five‑year employment plan aimed at preventing mass unemployment while harnessing AI for job creation. Public opinion is split: a Stanford survey shows 84 % of Chinese respondents are excited about AI, whereas a Gallup poll finds 80 % of Americans favor regulation, even at the cost of slower progress. These contrasting approaches highlight a global debate over balancing AI‑driven growth with social stability.