Harnessing AI for global progress

The AI for Good Global Summit 2024, held in Geneva, brought together leaders and innovators from various sectors to discuss the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI). Among the distinguished speakers was Guirong Wang, the Managing Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Department at China Telecom Global . Guirong Wang shed light on how AI is not just a technological advancement but a catalyst for global progress across various sectors and how it can help to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). China Telecom – a Gold Sponsor for this year AI for Good Global Summit, is a Chinese telecommunications company for secure and reliable global network services. Within this domain, Guirong Wang a background in Computer Communication and a proven track record in driving innovation brings expertise in AI, cloud computing, network security, and digital transformation. 

AI holds a potential to revolutionize sectors such as education, healthcare, and the environment. By offering innovative solutions to complex problems, AI stands as a beacon of hope for addressing some of humanity's most pressing challenges. China Telecom's pioneering efforts in leveraging large AI models, particularly in visual, speech, semantic, and multimodal domains, demonstrate the practical applications of AI in enhancing operational efficiency and service delivery. 

“For instance, in Henan province we have utilized large educational models to provide generative teaching content for students and grading methods and tools for teachers,” explained Guirong Wang. 

Inclusive AI standards are crucial to ensure equitable access to AI technologies for all nations. The importance of timely involvement of developing countries in standard development processes is clear, with the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) exemplary role in establishing global network infrastructure standards. Promoting AI open-source development and establishing ethical and regulatory frameworks is essential for balanced progress that addresses both technological innovation and societal well-being. 

"We hope the ITU will continue to lead in setting global standards…, this would enable seamless integration for AI applications and infrastructure layers worldwide," highlighted Guirong Wang.

Amid concerns about the environmental impact of AI, China Telecom has undertaken measures to address energy consumption challenges. Technological advancements, such as liquid cooling and elastic processing, have significantly reduced the energy footprint of AI computing facilities. Furthermore, China's innovative “East Data, West Computing” initiative demonstrates a strategic approach to balancing computing demands with green energy resources, paving the way for sustainable AI development.

"By placing significant computing power in the West and using green energy to handle high-energy-consuming computations, we can achieve a balance between computing applications and energy consumption," noted Guirong Wang.

 Looking ahead, two notable trends in AI development are evident. First is the shift towards edge computing, enabling AI capabilities to be decentralized and integrated into various devices, thus reducing energy consumption and improving accessibility. The second trend is the integration of AI capabilities into robots, enabling them to handle complex tasks concurrently. These advancements signal a promising future where AI not only enhances efficiency but also augments human capabilities in diverse domains.

"This allows large, medium, and small models to operate in different computing power equipment, solving practical problems and reducing energy consumption," added Guirong Wang.

 By fostering inclusive standards, ensuring sustainability, and embracing emerging trends, the transformative power of AI can be harnessed to address societal challenges and foster inclusive development worldwide. As we navigate the complexities of AI deployment, collaboration and ethical stewardship will be paramount in realizing AI's promise for the greater good.

"AI can offer innovative solutions to many problems that were previously unsolvable," said Guirong Wang.

 This conversation during the AI for Good Global Summit 2024 highlighted the pivotal role of AI in addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development. By focusing on inclusive standards, technological innovation, and sustainability, AI advancements can serve the greater good, fostering progress that is both groundbreaking and widely beneficial. The transformative potential of AI exemplifies its ability to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda.

Watch the full interview here

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This edition of AI for Good Insider was written and curated by Alena Radziukevich.