AI Will Create New Wealth, But Not Where You Think | Carnegie Mellon University, Po-Shen Loh

Discovering Talent in Rural Impoverished Areas00:00

AI can solve advanced math problems instantly, replacing even sophisticated math coaches. In a high-poverty rural elementary school in South Carolina, Po-Shen Loh entered a fourth-grade classroom posing as a substitute teacher. He wrote on the blackboard: "what is 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 equals?" Kids immediately yelled "25." This was one of the best classrooms he ever taught, 95% African-American, with kids suggesting ideas respectfully and listening to each other.

These kids don't have phones or internet due to cost, yet they create their own games for fun. Similar curious, self-challenging kids exist across rural America, untapped because the world doesn't know about them. Standard curricula focus on routine problems, but the future needs solvers of non-standard problems—these kids are authentically poised for that.

Introduction and Focus on Post-AI Opportunities01:34

Hi, I'm Po-Shen Loh, a mathematician distracted by the real world, now focused on building a thoughtful world to help humanity survive after AI.

Emphasis on bringing opportunities to rural and urban areas lacking them, especially rural US communities. Repeated the South Carolina story: impoverished area, amazing fourth graders solving odd-number sum instantly, respectful, creative without tech.

Observations from Africa and Global Talent04:00

In December, visited Africa—not to propose solutions but to learn—noting capable people despite weak economic development. Issue: outsiders don't know how to connect with these great individuals; resources go to generic channels rather than specific talented people.