Graduation Speech to the Class of 2023 of Yuan Ze University

Change before you have to.（應當積極求變，而非被迫改變。）

－Jack Welch, Former Chairman & CEO of GE（傑克•威爾許，奇異公司前總裁）

　　During the past 20 years, while the world has witnessed long-term stable developments, but now five major forces reshaping the global economic environment. Firstly, there’s trend toward an aging population, leading to limited labor force growth. Secondly, governments, enterprises, and households are bearing more debts to increase risk in the financial systems. Then, the widening income inequality to aggravate sociopolitical instability. Furthermore, the wave of digital technologies including Metaverse and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have disrupted people’s life and business model. Lastly, climate change transition to promote net-zero emission and change energy structure and industrial patterns. Aging population, soaring debts, growing inequality, technological innovation, and climate change transition, these five forces interactively working in a complex way, all lead to a more volatile and unpredictable world.

　　Among the five forces changing the world, the developments of digital technologies are particularly noteworthy. The Metaverse will be the future IoT, seamlessly connecting the physical and virtual realities, creating an immersive experience. In the future workplace, one might only need to wear AR/VR devices, allowing colleagues at home and abroad to join, meet, and interact at a virtual office. The Metaverse not only expanded mankind’s perspective of the world, but also change the way of our engagement.

　　The impact of artificial intelligence is even more apparent, just like the invention of electricity, it will change almost everything in human life. Though currently AI cannot fully replace human, but people who can adopt AI will be more competitive. Therefore, everyone should strive to understand its application. For example: machines excel at processing big data and repetitive tasks, while humans possess the ability to comprehend context, demonstrate creativity, and solve complex problems. Adopting AI empowerment, through human and machine collaboration, you may gain key advantage in your future career developments.

　　You are about to embark on a new phase in life. The world is changing at an astonishing pace. You must pay attention to emerging trends, and cultivate resilience, which is the capability to respond to change. When unexpected disruptions occur, only with resilience can allow quick response, lower the impact, and helps to regain stability faster. This relies on consistently building up strength, preparing thoroughly, and being ready for any situation. Also need to form a habit to dive into information from various sources, anticipate all possible scenarios in advance, thus when confronting turbulence, you may exhibit flexibility and agility.

　　New trends bring new challenges. When successful people face tests, they maintain a positive attitude, courageously challenge themselves, are not afraid of failure, and view challenges as opportunities for growth. When encountering problems, they will actively seek for solutions, do not easily quit. I know students from Yuan Ze University have cultivated good academic bearing and capabilities, you should remain agile, quickly seize opportunities, strive to achieve your goals, and bravely embrace this world full of possibilities.

　　Learning is a lifelong journey. Graduation is just one milestone of your life path. The real advanced studies and growth have just begun. No matter where you go, you must unceasingly enrich yourselves, continue to explore new knowledge and skills, pushing yourself to progress every year. In particular to maintain curiosity, more listening, more observing, more thinking, follow the trends, expand your perspectives, make more helpful friends, let knowledge and relation become your life treasure.

　　My best wishes to you that you may leap and progress in your life’s journey, and accomplish outstanding achievements with dazzling brilliance!

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