Ningbo expo showcases digital future

The 14th Smart City and Intelligent Economy Expo wrapped up in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on Sept 8. The three-day event, which attracted over 68,000 visitors and featured over 300 companies and organizations, served as a platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies, fostering partnerships, and driving economic growth.

The expo featured a wide array of innovative products and solutions, from sophisticated humanoid robots and AI-powered drones to intelligent manufacturing systems and the latest digital services. Industry giants like Alibaba and Huawei stole the show with their groundbreaking demonstrations, which included Alibaba's lunar exploration AI and Huawei's seamless NLP-integrated digital avatar. The products captivated audiences with their futuristic capabilities.

The expo also hosted several parallel forums and summits, bringing together experts, scholars, and industry leaders to discuss the latest trends and challenges in smart city development. Topics ranged from data security and privacy protection to AI's role in transforming traditional industries and enhancing public services. 

Academician Pan Yunhe of the Chinese Academy of Engineering advised Ningbo, a manufacturing hub, to apply the thought simulation function of large AI models to the R&D of auto parts and new materials. He also urged the city to leverage AI to boost the development of robotics, which would enhance Ningbo's national AI standing.

Zheng Qinghua, president of Tongji University, emphasized Ningbo's unique strengths as a potential national data hub and called for continued efforts to harness the power of data for economic and social progress.

Zeng Wenjun, vice president of the Eastern Institute of Technology in Ningbo, urged the city to fully utilize its existing computational resources, such as the Ningbo AI Supercomputing Center, by integrating them with the demands of universities and enterprises to amplify the multiplier effect.

The expo also served as a hub for talent acquisition, with participating companies announcing nearly 3,000 job openings across various sectors. This impressive number not only underscores Ningbo's commitment to building a skilled workforce but also highlights the city's attractiveness as a destination for tech-savvy professionals.

Meanwhile, the event provided a unique opportunity for the public to engage with and experience the benefits of digital innovation firsthand.

Through interactive displays, visitors were able to see how AI, big data, and other emerging technologies are reshaping fields such as education, healthcare, finance, and transportation. This not only sparked excitement about the future but also helped to build awareness and acceptance of digital transformation among the wider community.