AI and innovation in spotlight at 2024 WIC Wuzhen Summit

The Light of the Internet Expo, one of the main events at the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit, kicked off on Tuesday in the water town of Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province.

For the first time, the event features an artificial intelligence (AI) experience area, allowing visitors to enjoy cutting-edge AI applications in an immersive setting. From humming a simple tune to having AI compose a melody on the spot, or witnessing an AI-assisted creation of exquisite landscape paintings, the year's expo is delivering hands-on demonstrations of the daily use of AI. This focus on interactivity also reflects the pivotal role of AI on this year's summit agenda.

The 2024 expo has drawn over 660 global companies, showcasing cutting-edge AI technologies and the latest application advancements. According to Xu Zhaoxi, head of the expo's working group, this year's event has set a record for both the number of overseas exhibitors and the total number of participants. Over 100 new product launches and 10 major technological debuts are scheduled during the expo.

The Wuzhen Summit itself, running from November 19 to 22, carries the theme of "Embracing a People-centered and AI-for-good Digital Future – Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace."

Hosted by the WIC and supported by international organizations such as the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the summit includes a main forum and 24 sub-forums, covering topics including the Global Development Initiative, the digital economy, open-source ecosystem development, data governance, AI innovation and governance, and the digital future. 

This year's summit incorporates AI into both its exhibitions and discussions. A specialized AI section has been added to the sub-forums, focusing on innovation, governance and the responsible application of AI technologies.

Other smart technologies are making their debut at this year's summit, such as smart robot dogs, unmanned patrol cars capable of navigating diverse terrains with a 280-kilogram load capacity, and 5G-equipped unmanned boats designed to traverse Wuzhen's intricate river network. Together, these technological products form an autonomous patrol team, enhancing security in collaboration with local police forces.

Reflecting on the traditions of past years, the 2024 Wuzhen Summit features several new elements. This includes the newly established WIC Distinguished Contribution Award, recognizing global achievements in internet technology. 

Out of 270 entries from 24 countries, 20 projects received WIC Awards for Pioneering Science and Technology at a ceremony on the sidelines of the summit. These projects, all deemed to have international significance, cover cutting-edge areas such as brain-inspired computing, embodied intelligence and the 6G network, and were divided into three groups namely basic research, key technology, and research and development.

The WIC awards aim to recognize the most pioneering achievements in internet technology globally and promote international exchanges and cooperation in internet technology. 

This year, under the WIC framework, a special committee on artificial intelligence will also be established, marking the first specialized and permanent branch of the WIC. This committee aims to create a global platform for cooperation and exchange in AI.

Additionally, a think tank collaboration program will be established this year, involving around 60 leading think tanks, fostering discussions on the internet's impact worldwide, while an international digital training institute will be introduced to enhance global digital literacy.

China has been working extensively to promote global AI governance and cooperation. The country hosted the 2024 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, and issued the Shanghai Declaration on Global AI Governance.

In collaboration with global partners, China promoted the adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution on enhancing international cooperation on AI capacity-building. By the end of 2025, China plans to organize 10 AI seminars for developing countries, reflecting its commitment to ensuring that AI benefits all countries.

(With input from Xinhua.)