How Many Kinds of Humans Are There?

As you all know, human evolution, as part of the animal kingdom, began about four million years ago in Africa with Australopithecus, and continued through several stages until it reached modern humans—Homo sapiens.

Scientists usually divide this journey into about five major species.

But as I go through life, I find myself creating my own, unofficial way of classifying humans.

In my version, Homo sapiens can be divided into two groups.

First, there are the brilliant, almost genius-level individuals who seem to lead the world forward.

And then, there are people like me—ordinary individuals—who live within that world, swimming along in the currents created by those exceptional minds.

Taking this idea a step further, I sometimes imagine a distant future.
If humanity ever reaches a point where we must leave Earth and move to another planet—something envisioned by people like Elon Musk—who would get to go first?

Perhaps the ultra-geniuses and the world’s most powerful and wealthy would have priority.
And if they successfully settle and survive, maybe those brilliant individuals would become the ancestors of a new kind of humanity—something like a “super-human” lineage.

But I think this classification may change again in the future.

With the rise of artificial intelligence, a new division might emerge.

There could be people who embrace AI, work closely with it, and evolve rapidly alongside it.

And on the other hand, there may be those who resist AI, choosing instead to live a more traditional, human-centered life, satisfied with what they already are.

This raises an interesting question:
Will AI itself become a completely separate “species”?

For now, there’s no clear answer.
I wouldn’t say the answer is 100% no.

Of course, AI is not part of the animal kingdom like we are.
But if one day humans and technology merge—if advanced cyborgs become real—then the boundaries may no longer be so clear.

So perhaps, in the future, the question won’t just be
“What kind of human are you?”

But also,
“How much of your humanity are you keeping?”

And that, I think, is a fascinating thought to live with.