Chinese companies took center stage at the 2024 AI for Good Global Summit, which kicked off on Thursday in Geneva. The summit, co-convened with the Swiss government and organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in partnership with 40 other United Nations agencies, aims to leverage artificial intelligence to advance global development priorities.
Drawing over 2,500 participants from around the world, including government officials, experts, and industry leaders, the summit focuses on how AI can contribute to areas such as health, climate change, gender equality, inclusive prosperity, and sustainable infrastructure.
In the bustling exhibition hall, visitors crowded around booths of Chinese companies showcasing their latest AI innovations. The Alibaba DAMO Academy presented AI solutions for early cancer detection, demonstrating how technology can play a vital role in healthcare. Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE showcased comprehensive AI solutions for various industry applications, highlighting the transformative potential of AI across sectors.
Attracting significant attention was Hypershell, a Chinese startup specializing in exoskeleton technology. Their mountain exoskeleton, equipped with a self-developed AI MotionEngine featuring 14 sensors, optimizes control algorithms based on users’ movement data, enhancing outdoor activities. Sara Cela, head of the unit for strategic partnerships at the Municipality of Tirana in Albania, was impressed by the innovation. “As a hiking enthusiast, I haven’t seen anything like this,” she remarked. “This equipment could help people take adventures in nature.”
Reflecting on the prominence of Chinese brands at the summit, Cela added, “China is developing rapidly in AI, and I believe it has significant potential in advancing technology.”
Luo Yonggang, chief engineer of the AI Lab at Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd., shared that his company was invited by the ITU to participate in a workshop to share experiences in leveraging AI technology to enhance autonomous driving safety. “Chinese electric vehicles and autonomous driving technologies are among the leaders globally,” he said. “That’s why our reports garnered much attention.”
In a video address at the event, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described AI as a “game changer” for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. He emphasized the role of AI in enhancing education and healthcare in remote areas, increasing crop yields, and providing early warning systems for natural disasters. However, he cautioned that realizing its potential requires AI to reduce bias, misinformation, and security threats, rather than exacerbating them. “We need global coordination to build safe and inclusive AI that is accessible to all,” he stated.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin echoed this sentiment in her keynote speech, calling for a unified framework for AI standards that reflects diverse perspectives and the capabilities of standards developers worldwide. “There is a clear recognition of the importance of both maximizing the benefits of AI while also managing these risks,” she noted.
On the eve of the summit, a special event called AI Governance Day brought together government leaders and the global AI community to focus on the shift from principles to the implementation of better AI regulation. The discussions underscored the necessity of collaborative efforts to ensure AI technologies are developed and used responsibly.
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Chinese companies under spotlight as AI summit kicks off in Geneva
cgtn.com
