What do you believe will be the most likely 'eleventh bulldozer' in the next decade that could profoundly change the world?

Alright, let's talk about this fascinating topic. The "Ten Great Bulldozers" Thomas Friedman proposed all refer to the forces of globalization flattening the world. If I were to name the eleventh, I believe it has already started its engines and will fundamentally reshape our world within the next decade.

If I had to choose it, this eleventh bulldozer would undeniably be the "Personalized AI Agent."

You might think "artificial intelligence" is a tired term by now, but I'm not talking about the vague concept in general. I'm talking about the specific form that ultimately lands in each of our hands—a "digital twin" or "super assistant" that truly understands you, works for you, and is ready 24/7.

This might sound a bit sci-fi, but its difference from the previous bulldozers is key:

The previous bulldozers flattened barriers between nations and companies. Think the fall of the Berlin Wall, outsourcing, supply chains, etc. – primarily on a macro level.
This eleventh bulldozer smoothens the gap in "capability" and "execution power" between individuals.

Let me explain why it's so powerful with a few everyday scenarios.

1. The "Ultimate Democratization" of Knowledge and Skills

Imagine a future where everyone has an AI assistant. Not the feeble voice assistant on your phone that stumbles over the weather, but one that:

For a middle school student wanting to learn quantum physics: Their AI assistant instantly compiles the world's top university courses, the most accessible YouTube videos, and generates personalized learning paths and practice questions tailored to their understanding in real-time. It's like having an omnipotent tutor, knowledgeable and infinitely patient. Previously, such educational resources were a privilege only for elite families.
For a farmer in a village unfamiliar with complex e-commerce: Their AI assistant helps analyze market trends, automatically generates compelling product descriptions and images, releases them across all e-commerce platforms with one click, and can even simulate human-like communication with customers to handle orders. The farmer only needs to focus on growing the best fruit. The gap that once separated them from large agricultural companies – an entire professional operations team – evaporates.

See? This bulldozer is flattening the mountain of "professional skills." Skills like programming, design, market analysis, and legal consultation, which previously took years to master, can largely be handled by your AI assistant in the future. The core of human competition will shift from "how many skills you possess" to "how well you can frame questions and ideas."

2. The Infinite Magnification of "Execution Power"

We've all had this experience: A brilliant idea pops into our heads, but the thought of drafting a plan, conducting research, contacting people, and handling tedious tasks immediately makes us back down. Between "idea" and "reality" lies a vast chasm called "execution power."

Your personal AI assistant will be the cement mixer filling that chasm.

You want to open a unique cafe. You simply tell your AI assistant: "I want to open a Cantonese retro-themed cafe in District B of City A with a budget of 300,000 RMB. Help me make a plan."
- Within minutes, it provides a complete business plan including: market analysis, location suggestions, interior design references, equipment lists, supplier contacts, startup capital estimates, and even a marketing plan for the first three months.
- It can also draft your lease inquiry email to landlords and create initial logo and menu designs.

This bulldozer flattens the distance "from thought to action." It will unleash everyone's creativity immensely. Countless great ideas, previously stifled in the cradle by cumbersome execution, will now have a chance to become reality. The power of a single individual will rival that of a small team in the past.

3. Reshaping Social Structure and Work Models

When everyone possesses such a powerful "extension," what will happen to our work and society?

The concept of the traditional company will fade: Many companies will no longer need vast functional departments (like marketing or administration). Instead, small groups of core decision-makers, each armed with their AI assistants, will form highly efficient project teams. A true golden age for freelancers and small teams will dawn.
"Work" itself will transform: The value of work will no longer be measured by "hours clocked," but by the "value created." You might spend a day brainstorming with your AI assistant to refine a creative concept, and its value could far exceed a week of repetitive labor in the past.
A New "Digital Divide": Just like the question of computer literacy in the past, the future's dividing line will be the ability to collaborate effectively with your AI assistant. This is no longer merely a technical question; it represents a generational gap in how people think.

Summary

Friedman's first ten bulldozers enable an engineer in Bangalore, India, to compete on the same project as an engineer in Silicon Valley, USA.

The eleventh bulldozer, the "Personalized AI Agent," will enable an ordinary person with creativity but few resources to compete in the same market as a large corporation with vast means.

It flattens the mountain standing between imagination and reality. Its engine has started, and we can already hear its roar. In the next decade, those who learn to operate this bulldozer first will be the ones to build their towers earliest in the newly leveled world.