The 2024 Wuzhen Summit is about to start, with the theme focusing on artificial intelligence

During a press conference on October 24, 2023, the World Internet Conference announced that the 2024 Summit will take place in Wuzhen, Zhejiang, from November 19 to 22. This year’s theme, “Embracing a Human-Centric and Beneficial Digital Future—Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace,” will focus on artificial intelligence technology, industry development, and its impact on society, addressing global concerns regarding the development and governance of AI.

Ren Xianliang, the Secretary-General of the World Internet Conference, shared that apart from the opening ceremony and main forum, the Wuzhen Summit will feature 24 sub-forums covering topics such as global development initiatives, the digital economy, open-source ecosystem development, data governance, AI technology innovation and governance, as well as youth and the digital future.

Notably, this year’s summit will place a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, with a dedicated section for AI at the sub-forums and the establishment of a Professional Committee on Artificial Intelligence within the World Internet Conference.

Additionally, the “Direct to Wuzhen” global internet competition will host its finals soon, introducing a new AI+ innovation application competition that has attracted numerous AI companies and application scenarios. The “Light of Internet” Expo will also highlight artificial intelligence, with five major activity segments focused on showcasing, launching, intelligence introduction, collaboration, and promotion to drive the debut of innovative achievements in the global internet sector.

Building on past features, this summit will introduce new initiatives, including the “Outstanding Contribution Award” of the World Internet Conference, the launch of a think tank cooperation program, the establishment of a Digital Research Institute, and the organization of an Executive Training Program for global internet talent.

Moreover, during the summit, reports on cross-border e-commerce competitiveness will be released, addressing national, platform, and logistics dimensions. A data working group will present the “Data International Cooperation Report for Open, Collaborative, and Win-Win Development,” continuing to provide more international public goods.

The Wuzhen Summit is hosted by the World Internet Conference and organized by the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province, with support from international organizations such as the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the World Intellectual Property Organization, and the Global System for Mobile Communications Association.