The Great Leveling | Magazine

Harvard and similar elite institutions play a critical role in perpetuating the concept of a meritocratic American society, although its meritocratic nature in practice is debated.
The term “meristocracy” is proposed to describe the American system where elites claim legitimacy through merit, often conferred by expensive degrees from prestigious institutions.
The advent of highly advanced AI models threatens to undermine the meritocratic aristocracy that elite institutions promote, potentially equalizing cognitive capacities and thus diminishing the importance of human intellect and talent in the labor market.
AI advancements could displace traditional knowledge work, leading to a society where many individuals may no longer contribute economically significant value, raising questions about the future of meritocratic elite status.
As AI evolves, it is possible that the societal focus could shift from mere intellectual and economic accomplishments to moral and creative pursuits, suggesting a potential role for humanities and more meaningful work in society’s future.
The adaptation of universities like Harvard will be essential to address the destabilizing impacts of AI on the traditional meritocratic system, possibly leading to a new essence in higher education focused on intrinsic intellectual and moral development.