The World Internet Conference (WIC) is an annual event held in China. Also popular as the Wuzhen Summit, this event is conducted by the Chinese government, where they discuss issues and plans related to global internet development. Organized by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the event was launched in 2014.
Although began in 2014, it was only in 2022 that China developed it into an international event to popularize its thoughts, agendas, and initiatives to the world. According to recent reports, the prime focus of the 2024 World Internet Conference will be the significance of artificial intelligence.
As the world has begun to revolve around artificial intelligence and its explored and unexplored potential, China is also moving in the same direction. The experts also mention that the summit will mark a significant improvement in the use of artificial intelligence by the Chinese government. Furthermore, as Beijing is about to take a major role in the global governance of AI, this summit will have a significant role to play.
The World Internet Conference will be held from November 19 to 22 in East China’s Zhejiang province, declared the WIC International Organization in a press conference in October. They also announced that this year’s theme will be “Intelligence for Al.l” The secretary general of WICC Ren Xianliang further noted that the major topics discussed under the theme will be AI and its impacts on humanity.
The event will also focus on the impacts of AI on the economy and society. Although the world is aware that AI holds both opportunities and risks, Ren noted that the Global AI technology development will be a milestone and driving force causing various technological revolutions and industrial transformations.
The summit which has multiple sessions will hold talks and discussions on AI innovation and governance, the potential to create the latest quality productive forces with AI, and how to promote AI development and application responsibly. The sessions on utilizing technology to escalate economic and societal growth will also be included in the Wuzhen Summit.
Furthermore, the major catchphrase of China is “Embracing a People-centered and aI-for-Good Digital Future – Building a community with a shared future in Cyberspace.” As the catchphrase suggests, China is on a mission to collaborate human labor, technology, and infrastructure by giving equal importance to all.
This year’s summit holds several attractions and new features. To begin with, the WIC Distinguished Contribution Award is the major attraction of the event. This award function will recognize and congratulate individuals as well as organizations that have contributed significantly to the global internet landscape.
The award function is scheduled for the afternoon on the initial day of the summit. Furthermore, the Wuzhen Summit 2024 will also set up an AI committee. This committee will function as an open platform to share and communicate with AI firms. Amid the US interventions to expand its control over China’s AI dreams, Ren Xianliang comments that this committee will help the world to be open and collaborative regarding matters related to AI and technology.
The 2024 WIC is expecting delegates from local Chinese tech firms including Alibaba Group Holding, its affiliate Ant Group, and China-based officials of US firms like Cisco and IBM. Apart from these business firms, officials and ministry members from different countries will also attend the event.
