The 2024 World Internet Conference & Light of Internet Expo (WICEXPO) began in Wuzhen, China on November 19, 2024. The event is a key part of the World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit. WICEXPO showcases the latest advancements in global internet technology and new AI innovations.
It features exhibitions, a new product and technology launch area, an industry talent fair, industry matchmaking, and showcases of ‘Xinguang’ products. 665 enterprises and institutions from 53 countries and regions are participating in the expo. There are specially designed exhibition routes, including the Digital and Intelligent Industry Insight, Science and Technology Exploration Tour, Special Interest Points Discovery Tour, AI Intelligent World, and Future Life Experience.
Over 50 smart interactive experience projects and 100 product and technology launches are planned. There will also be five specialized industrial cooperation matchmaking events. The expo supports the digital economy by providing job opportunities.
50 digital economy enterprises and public institutions are looking to fill over 500 job positions. WICEXPO will feature 20 ‘Xinguang’ products and present ten ‘Xingyao’ scenarios to highlight cutting-edge innovations. The 2024 WICEXPO is an important platform for showcasing global internet scientific and technological achievements.
It also fosters industry collaboration and growth. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent congratulations via video to the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit on November 20, 2024. In his message, President Xi noted that a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation is rapidly advancing.
He urged efforts to embrace digital, internet-based, and smart development trends. Xi called for accelerating innovative, safe, and inclusive growth in cyberspace while striving for a brighter digital future. President Xi emphasized that China is willing to work with countries around the world to take a historical initiative in the information revolution.
He expressed a desire to jointly build a community with a shared future in cyberspace, aiming to ensure that the internet better benefits people globally. The 2024 World Internet Conference AI Productivity Forum, held in Wuzhen, Zhejiang on November 21, 2024, highlighted China’s significant strides in digital development. It underscored the critical role China plays in global economic stability and certainty.
In recent years, the development of China’s digital economy has demonstrated vigorous vitality and great potential. It provides a key driving force for the digitalization of the global economy. China has proposed initiatives such as the “Digital Silk Road.” This has promoted cooperation among countries in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced network infrastructure.
China advocates and practices the principle of achieving shared growth through consultation and collaboration. Many countries around the world have embraced this.
WICEXPO highlights global internet innovation
The nation has laid the foundation for broad global cooperation in advanced network infrastructure. For example, China’s 5G technology efforts, both domestically and internationally, have positioned it as one of the largest infrastructure constructors in the digital economy. Official statistics show that China’s digital economy reached 53.9 trillion yuan in 2023, accounting for 42.8 percent of the country’s GDP.
Achievements in network infrastructure have not only driven the transformation of Chinese enterprises but also created a “fast track” for global enterprises to enter the Chinese market. In the field of AI, China’s advancements are noteworthy. As of the first quarter of 2024, China’s large AI models accounted for 36 percent of the world’s total, second only to the United States.
The number of large AI models with more than one billion parameters has exceeded 100 in China. This provides global users with more choices in cutting-edge technologies. These advancements have made technological achievements more balanced and accessible to the public.
China now ranks first in the world in terms of AI-generated content inventions. These breakthroughs reflect the Chinese government’s emphasis on technological innovation, contributing to global scientific and technological progress. These innovations have ensured a safe transformation and upgrading of China’s digital economy.
They also offer development and cooperation opportunities for the global digital economy. China is also a strong advocate for global cross-border data flow cooperation. Cross-border data flow plays a positive role in promoting fields such as e-commerce, digital trades, culture, and science and technology globally.
Activating data values reduces trade costs and enhances business vitality. This is fundamental for achieving data flow-driven globalization and collaboration. China’s efforts, as mentioned in the Global Cross-border Data Flow Cooperation Initiative, emphasize creating an open, secure, and non-discriminatory environment for data flow.
This provides higher-level certainty and stability for the global digital economy. China is actively promoting the establishment and improvement of a digital governance system. This demonstrates a positive attitude toward openness and sharing in international cooperation.
These efforts are crucial to strengthening network and data security, which is foundational for healthy digital economy development. The ongoing improvement of digital governance benefits the stability and certainty of the digital economy worldwide. As a responsible large country, China calls on all countries to uphold the principles of openness, inclusiveness, security, cooperation, and non-discrimination in scientific and technological development.
China is committed to balancing digital technology innovation, economic development, social progress, and the protection of national security, public interests, personal privacy, and intellectual property. As the 21st Century progresses, China’s digital technology development will play an increasingly positive and influential role in global stability and certainty.
Cameron is a highly regarded contributor in the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. His articles delve into the theoretical underpinnings of AI, the practical applications of machine learning across industries, ethical considerations of autonomous systems, and the societal impacts of these disruptive technologies.
