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Core Model Overview

The Yin-Yang - Five Elements - Yun - Qi Model views AI Infrastructure as an organic whole, revealing its operational mechanisms from four dimensions. Each layer focuses on different fundamental questions:

Four-Layer Model

LayerNameFocus Question
Yin-YangState LayerThe system’s internal unity of opposites tension structure, revealing how dual elements like performance vs. constraints, innovation vs. governance coexist
Five ElementsRole LayerFive basic role elements in the system and their collaborative relationships, breaking down complex infrastructure into data, models, compute, platforms, and hardware
YunTime LayerThe development stage the system is in and its cyclical patterns, describing the evolution cycle from exploration to platformization, then scaling and rebalancing
QiFlow LayerThe effective “field” of flow within the system, characterizing the conduction and feedback of signals and resources, reflecting the overall smoothness of operation
Table 1: Four-Layer Model

Model Interactions

The four-layer model is not isolated but an interconnected organic whole:

  • The tension of Yin-Yang permeates the dynamic balance of Five Elements
  • The development of Five Elements roles is constrained by their Yun stage
  • The flow of Qi connects the above elements into a self-adaptive cyclic system

The overview diagram below illustrates each layer of the model and their interactions:

Figure 1: AI Infrastructure ‘Yin-Yang - Five Elements - Yun - Qi’ Model Overview. The Yin-Yang layer embodies the system’s internal tension and unity of opposites, the Five Elements layer defines core role elements, the Yun layer describes system stage cycles, and Qi as a flow element permeates and drives the entire system.
Figure 1: AI Infrastructure ‘Yin-Yang - Five Elements - Yun - Qi’ Model Overview. The Yin-Yang layer embodies the system’s internal tension and unity of opposites, the Five Elements layer defines core role elements, the Yun layer describes system stage cycles, and Qi as a flow element permeates and drives the entire system.

Model Application Value

This four-layer model provides a unique perspective for the design, operations, and governance of AI Infrastructure:

  1. Holistic Cognitive Framework: Transcend the limitations of single technical metrics to grasp system state as a whole
  2. Dynamic Balance Thinking: Understand unity of opposites relationships and avoid extremes
  3. Evolutionary Stage Awareness: Grasp the system’s development stage and act in accordance with the situation
  4. Flow Insights: Focus on energy flow within the system to anticipate problems

Next, we will delve into the connotation, engineering mapping, and mechanism of each layer.

Created on Feb 10, 2026 Updated on Feb 10, 2026 345 words about 2 Minute

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