The 7th session of Vision China, themed Intelligence New Era: Progress, Planning and Opportunity, kicks off in Tianjin Media Theatre, May 17, 2019. An audience asks David Gosset, the founder of the China-Europe Forum, questions (Photo by Wang Jing/chinadaily.com.cn)

The latest edition of talks organized under the Vision China umbrella has been held in Tianjin under the theme "Intelligence New Era: Progress Planning and Opportunity", looking at the great potential and challenges of intelligent technology.

The event on May 17,held in the Tianjin Media Theater, was co-hosted by China Daily and the Information Office of Tianjin Municipal People's Government and coincided with the 3rd World Intelligence Congress, being held in the city from Thursday to Sunday.

The Vision China talks, bringing together scholars, entrepreneurs and international organization leaders, explored the growth of science and technology from a global perspective and looked at ways of promoting global prosperity.

Cao Xiaohong addresses the 7th session of Vision China held in Tianjin Media Theatre on May 17 (Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn)

Cao Xiaohong, vice-mayor of Tianjin, said in opening remarks that the city has sped up high-quality development in recent

years, looking at the intelligent technology industry as a way of establishing an intelligent innovation system and to create an intelligent industry cluster.

"Tianjin is closely connecting with the intelligent technology industry through the World Intelligence Congress and will continue to work hand in hand with all parties to promote the further development of intelligent technology industry," she said.

 

Zhou Shuchun addresses the 7th session of Vision China held in Tianjin Media Theatre on May 17 (Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn)

Zhou Shuchun, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, said the latest Vision China event aimed to explore and discuss the frontiers of smart technologies and industry trends.

"I have confidence that this event will serve to build consensus for sound development of artificial intelligence to enhance people's lives across the world and to promote the building of a global community with a shared future," he said.

 

 Danil Kerimi delivers a speech at the 7th session of Vision China held in Tianjin Media Theatre on May 17(Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn)

Danil Kerimi, regional deputy head of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network affiliated to World Economic Forum, delivered a speech on leadership in the intelligence era and said a more inclusive leadership and collaboration system are needed to tackle the challenges brought by the fourth industrial revolution.

In the new era of revolution, Kerimi said there would be fundamental changes in the global economy along with environmental challenges, regional competition, economic disparities and technological disruption.

Thus, he suggested world leaders should work together to "make sustained, positive and systemic change and develop the collaborative platforms" though formal dialogue and cooperation.

"We believe any problem of a magnitude capable of impacting our world, or a whole region or industry, needs to be addressed in a systemic way, and all efforts need to be integrated and aggregated for scale and impact," he noted.

 

Qi Ye delivers a speech at the 7th session of Vision China held in Tianjin Media Theatre on May 17(Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn)

Qi Ye, director of the Institute of Public Policy at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said in his speech that the new round of innovation should be human- and nature-centric.

Thus, Qi considered inclusive and sustainable development as the direction of the new innovation, which will"navigate innovation to provide public goods and services"as well as"pay off our debts to the nature".

The professor also called on all the nations to understand the world as a community of shared future, and jointly innovate to address the common challenges, such as climate change, resources shortage and cyber security.

"The notion of putting certain country first is a daydream of the old timers," he said. "those who resort their resources containing the innovators, not contributing to innovation will soon prove themselves obsolete and irrelevant." 

Li Jiwei delivers a speech at the 7th session of Vision China held in Tianjin Media Theatre on May 17 (Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn)

Li Jiwei, a young scientist-turned-businessman and founder and chief executive of Shannon.AI, said AI is an important driving force for a new scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, and has become a new engine for international economic development, supporting structural reforms on the supply side and building a high-quality modern economic system.

Countering those who say AI will replace humans, Li said it is simply a tool that can help make people more creative, make their lives easier and the world better.

"For the long-term development of the intelligent era, AI and people should work together to build a community of shared future for humanity to benefit mankind."

David Gosset delivers a speech at the 7th session of Vision China held in Tianjin Media Theatre on May 17(Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn)

David Gosset, the founder of the China-Europe Forum, said the Western world needs to change its mindset that China is a copycat and recognize that the country is now at the forefront of innovation in many areas.

"The progress that China has made in technological development has no equivalent in the world. I think it is time for the world to realize that China is not an imitator. When you look at China's history, China has always been a strong force for innovation."

Gosset, also the founder of the New Silk Road Initiative, said China can be a model for the world in terms of the planning and construction of smart cities, looking to Shenzhen and Guangzhou in Guangdong province as well as Xiongan New Area, southwest of Beijing, as exemplars.

With regard to the challenges China and the world face in an increasingly digitized future, Gosset said governments must find the balance between technology and wisdom and ensure that "human dignity is at the center of what we do".

Vision China was established in January 2018. By inviting well-known political, business and academic speakers to tell China's story from global perspectives and discuss major global topics, it aims to become a broad platform to ensure China's voice is better heard as well as to build a new channel for responding to global concerns on China-related issues through profound debate.

What they say

*Today's event was very informative. I'm very impressed by the level of organization. Today's speakers were true leaders and experts in their fields and because of that I feel honored to be able to participate in an event of this scale.

I've learned that artificial intelligence is already surrounding our everyday lives and it really makes a difference. The thing that stuck in my mind the most is that we as humans have to look at the bigger picture and focus not only on our selfish needs but also innovation in a sustainable way. Overall I've really enjoyed this event.

Marek Dobrowolski, a postgraduate student at Tianjin University of Technology

*It was an excellent event. The Tianjin vice-major's speech was very meaningful. I also liked the points about the underestimation of the long-term impacts of technology and the high costs behind innovation.

While the previous industrial revolutions were about how to do something at the push of a button, the current initiative is to make a machine that can create these buttons by itself. What we need to do is to provide the right input for this machine to be able to learn. The increase of funding behind China's AI startups is also interesting. I am curious what products this will create in the coming decades and how these will influence our lives.

George Petruska, marketing manager at www.englishteachingjob.com

*The most impressive point for me is the diversity of views. There are many young generations here, audience and guests. They inspire me a lot.

I think technology and AI have a great impact on people's daily lives. We can learn more about them as much as we can.

Vision China is an excellent idea for other countries to know more about China. I look forward to more opportunities to share our views about other interesting topics.

John Evans, principal of Tianjin Yinghua Cambridge International School

*I am really happy to be here and it was a very innovative event. I think we must find a balance between human and artificial intelligence, which is very important for further worldwide development.

It's also important to think globally.

I like Vision China because the speeches are wholly in English. I can understand these speeches well.

Saood Qaseem, auditor at Ecocert S.A., France and PhD at Tianjin Polytechnic University

*I am an educator, and I knew a little about artificial intelligence before I came here. Obviously, it's making our life more convenient.

I have lived in Tianjin for 22 years. Every single year, the technology brings me many surprises. A lot of technologies applied in this city make our life easier and safer.

The last speaker impressed me most. He said that China is an innovator that is at the forefront in many areas. I have seen China's quick development, which makes me feel excited.

Michael Conway, secondary principal and deputy director, International School of Tianjin

*Now I use my mobile phone more frequently than before. I can pay for something with it and contact my parents and friends through more apps. I have stayed in China for three years, and Alipay and WeChat really make my life convenient.

I enjoyed this event totally. The speakers conveyed many details to us that help me know clearly about artificial intelligence. It was an interesting experience for me.

Kateryna Telychko, postgraduate majoring in enterprise management at Tianjin University of Technology