China’s Internet Growth and World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit’s Impact Discussed by Leading Expert
The World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, has become a significant platform for discussing China’s internet progress and its global impact. Francis Gurry, the vice chairman of the WIC and former director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), shared his insights during an interview at the 2023 Wuzhen Summit.
Gurry highlighted China’s remarkable rise in the internet sector over the past decade, emphasizing its role as an extraordinary builder of internet infrastructure and a leader in deploying relevant technologies. He noted that internet-based enterprises in China have experienced a booming growth in the past ten years. According to Gurry, the WIC is gaining international recognition and can make a substantial contribution to establishing soft laws in various areas such as ethics, bias in artificial intelligence (AI), and social media addiction.
The rapid advancement of AI was also discussed by Gurry, who believes that it will have a tremendous impact on all aspects of human society. He acknowledged that while employment may not be replaced by technology, it will certainly be displaced, ultimately driving humanity to strive for higher performance. Gurry considers himself a technological optimist and emphasizes that the way humans utilize these technologies is what truly matters, as technologies themselves are neither inherently good nor bad.
However, Gurry also highlighted the digital divide that still exists. According to the International Telecommunication Union, about one third of the global population, approximately 2.6 billion people, have no access to the internet. Gurry expressed concern for those who are digitally deprived, as they would suffer greatly in terms of education, culture, healthcare, government services, and more. Efforts are being made to address this problem, including the construction of satellite-facilitated infrastructure.
One of the highlights of this year’s event is the launch of the Global Youth Leadership Program. This program aims to showcase the new blood in the world internet sector, with 18 young representatives from 14 countries and regions participating. Gurry emphasized the importance of youth involvement, as they are the digital natives who have grown up with the internet and have an intuitive understanding of its influence.
While there are challenges to overcome in the development of the internet, such as security issues, misinformation, and the protection of vulnerable groups, Gurry encourages an optimistic outlook. He believes that humans should view the prospects of the internet positively and work towards addressing the challenges while reaping the benefits it offers.
In conclusion, the WIC Wuzhen Summit serves as a platform to discuss China’s impressive internet growth and its impact on the global stage. With the insights shared by experts like Francis Gurry, the conference aims to shape the future of the internet through ethical guidelines, addressing biases in AI, and finding solutions to the challenges that arise. By harnessing the potential of technology while ensuring inclusivity, the world can create a brighter future in the digital era.
Note: This article is generated by OpenAI’s language model.
