A Unified Theoretical Model for the Era of Generative Artificial Intelligence

The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (Generative AI) is transforming knowledge production, economic activities, social structures, and cultural systems at an unprecedented scale. However, existing theoretical frameworks remain fragmented and are often insufficient to explain the systemic changes brought about by this technological revolution. To address this gap, this paper proposes the Unified Generative AI Era Theory Model (UGATM), a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding the societal transformation driven by Generative AI. The model conceptualizes Generative AI as not only a production tool but also a new form of social infrastructure and establishes a closed-loop mechanism consisting of data, model training, intelligent generation, social application, and feedback. Furthermore, four fundamental principles are proposed: the law of knowledge cost approaching zero, the cognitive outsourcing mechanism, the digital productivity amplification effect, and the principle of social structure reconfiguration. Based on these principles, the paper argues that Generative AI is reshaping the processes of knowledge creation, labor allocation, education, scientific research, and cultural production. The study suggests that human society is gradually transitioning from the Information Age to the Generative Age, in which intelligent generation becomes a central productive force. The proposed framework provides a unified perspective for understanding the long-term social implications of Generative AI and offers a theoretical foundation for future interdisciplinary research.