The 7th Hongqiao International Economic Forum (HQF) was a global platform buzzing with thought leaders, industry giants, and policymakers.
Held in tandem with the prestigious 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), the parallel session on "AI Empowering New Industrialization" became the epicenter of cutting-edge dialogue. The discussions painted a vivid picture of how technology could reshape industries, from industrial IoT (Internet of Things) to the deployment of large AI models in manufacturing.
As I anticipate the 8th HQF and the expo, the highlights of the 7th HQF offer a compelling narrative for overseas stakeholders to engage deeper with this transformative dialogue.
The Era of AI-Driven Industrial Transformation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is driving industrial evolution from manufacturing floors to interconnected supply chains. During the 7th HQF, the narrative was clear: AI is here to stay and redefine the very fabric of industrialization through intelligent, high-efficiency, and green solutions.
The parallel session on AI’s role in industrialization featured leaders from Qualcomm, Baidu, Xiaomi, and SenseCore, to name a few, and explored groundbreaking applications and visionary strategies.
Craig Allen, President of The US-China Business Council, underscored the importance of collaborative innovation in AI development. He said that to harness AI’s potential, global partnerships must bridge technological advancements with practical industrial applications. The future is not isolated innovation but shared progress.
His words emphasized that the AI revolution demands collective effort across borders.
Leaders Shaping The Now And The Future
As I reflect on the scalability of AI’s potential from revolutionizing factory floors to tackling global challenges, I believe the future of industrialization will be a merge of both human and artificial intelligence.
To validate this reflection, we can look at the AI’s transformative impact examples that were presented by industry leaders such as Frank Meng, Chairman of Qualcomm China, who highlighted advanced technology like 5G and AI are driving industry digital transformation and innovation. Or Wu Hua, Chair of Baidu’s Technical Committee, who emphasized AI’s role in leveraging vast data for enhanced understanding and generalizability.
And Yang Fan, President of SenseCore, outlined AI’s critical role in achieving intelligent transformation. The bottom line is that AI has become a catalyst for innovation and sustainability.
Essential Lessons from the AI Frontier
The potential of IoT is amplified by AI by enabling real-time data analytics and automation. AI can now ensure seamless integration and efficiency in industrial operations, from predictive maintenance to supply chain optimization.
The industrial adoption of large AI models is moving at a faster pace, faster than ever before. Powering advanced analytics, natural language processing, and machine vision unlocks new possibilities for automation and innovation.
AI has become instrumental in achieving the next sustainability goals. When AI helps to optimize energy usage, reduce emissions, and enable circular economies, then it ensures industries remain competitive while sticking to environmental standards and creating a green imperative.
Bridging Divides and Driving Global Innovation: A Call to Action for a Sustainable Future
Bridging technological divides and fostering open innovation were key themes underscored by multiple speakers.
As the world anticipates the next edition of the CIIE, which is already on my calendar, for overseas stakeholders, the message is clear: to continue shaping the future, we must act now. Participating in the CIIE will present unparalleled opportunities to create more worldwide and cross-border partnerships.
The result will unlock AI's potential on a worldwide scale, driving breakthroughs that benefit industries globally. This year will be key to championing sustainability through AI because the green transformation of industries has become a universal challenge. Achieving sustainability goals will require shared commitment and knowledge exchange, underscoring the need for international cooperation. Collaboration once again remains key as we move forward.
Reflections, Challenges, and the Road Ahead
The Industrial Revolution introduced mechanization, the digital revolution brought computation, and now the AI revolution delivers intelligence, profoundly impacting industries by enhancing resilience, adaptability, and sustainability. Forums like HQF play a crucial role in integrating AI into industrial applications, as shown by leaders like Craig Allen and Frank Meng. The 8th CIIE will advance these discussions, emphasizing actionable AI across sectors.
As 2025 approaches, it will be pivotal for innovation and collaboration. The event offers a valuable opportunity for policy shapers and innovators to showcase technology and build partnerships, with a focus on democratizing AI and enabling smaller enterprises and developing nations to benefit. The parallel session highlighted the importance of diverse voices, uniting technologists, start-ups, policymakers, and corporations to foster innovation.
The future, empowered by human and AI collaboration, requires balance, not choice. Let's continue the dialogue and redefine the possibilities together as unity strengthens us.
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