Experts Discuss Intelligent Growth at 2018 Digital Economy Forum in Shanghai

[Shanghai, China, October 10, 2018] On the first day of HUAWEI CONNECT 2018, Huawei held the 2018 Digital Economy Forum, with the theme "An Intelligent Path Towards Digital Economy". The unique forum centered on the transition from the digital economy to intelligent economy. Over 600 international guests from government agencies, think tanks, industry organizations, academia, and the media witnessed ten experts from across industry passionately debate the "new species", "new economy", and the future of AI at the forum.

William Xu, Director of the Board and Chief Strategy Marketing Officer of Huawei, delivering the opening speech

William Xu, Director of the Board and Chief Strategy Marketing Officer of Huawei, remarked in his opening speech: “In the intelligent era, every person, every family, and every organization should actively embrace AI. Embracing AI will bring us huge opportunities and allow us to enjoy enormous benefits just like the computer did many years ago."

In a first for the industry, Albert Xiao, the Principal Analyst from Huawei’s Strategy Marketing Dept, proposed the transition from the digital economy to intelligent economy. This transition will see a shift from traditional capital to intellectual capital, from traditional blue/white-collar workers to knowledge workers, and from total-factor productivity (TFP) α to TFP β. It will help eliminate the difficulties balancing scale and scope, price and quality, and also boost consumer-centric development, drive the upgrade from digital industrial structure to intelligent industrial structure, and encourage the creation of "new species".

Randeep Sudan (formerly global advisor on digital strategy for the World Bank), Dr. Vishal Sikka (founder and CEO of Hang Ten Systems), and Martin Creaner (former TM Forum CEO and advisor to board of leading telecom companies on digital transformation), held a lively panel discussion on the "new species". Martin Creaner stated that industry leaders should reach consensus on the direction of future development, take a proactive stand for transformation, and quickly deploy the AI from a full-stack perspective. According to Randeep Sudan, AI will significantly contribute to poverty alleviation. Most of the world's population live in cities, with 22% of the urban population living in poor areas. If AI is used to analyze the current situation of impoverished people and included into the future decision-making process, it can improve living conditions in cities and promote inclusive growth. The panelists concluded that AI would bring more opportunities than challenges and should be embraced for a brighter future.

In the following discussion on the "new economy", Edward Zhou (Vice President of Huawei Global Public Affairs), remarked that the general-purpose technology and support system are essential to enabling countries to go digital. Emmanoel Campelode Souza Pereira (Vice President of Anatel, Brazil), Hichem Besbes (former president of the Telecommunication National Regulatory Authority of TUNISIA), John Edwards (Consul General of British Consulate-General Shanghai), and Wei He (deputy director of the Institute of Policy and Economy Research, CAICT), discussed how countries at different development stages can tap into the new growth of digital economy. The panelists agreed that regulators in developing countries should strive to upgrade their infrastructure, embrace the opportunity to proactively build AI technology platforms and capabilities, and formulate relevant laws and regulations to ensure security and privacy protection. They called on governments and regulatory organizations to provide more incentive mechanisms for investment and employment in the digital economy field. It was concluded that AI must be democratized so the benefits of AI can be shared.

The 2018 Digital Economy Forum’s long-term aim is to help every person, every home, and every organization achieve intelligent growth. As stated by William Xu at the opening of the forum, "Huawei is committed to helping ecosystem partners maximize data value through connectivity. With the development model of platform + AI + ecosystem partners, Huawei can advance the digitalization process of various industries. By organizing the Digital Economy Forum, Huawei hopes to push the development of globally consistent standards, security and privacy laws and regulations, and unite efforts to boost positive development of digital economy.”

For more information, please visit: www.huawei.com/minisite/2018-digital-economy-forum/en

HUAWEI CONNECT 2018 – “Activate Intelligence” – was held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center and Expo Center from October 10 to 12. This year’s HUAWEI CONNECT conference is designed to help all businesses and organizations step over the threshold and stake their claim in the intelligent world. You will be joined by the best minds in the industry – including global ICT leaders, industry experts, and ecosystem partners – to chart the way forward and explore new opportunities. For more information, please visit: Link