The first AI capacity building workshop held by China and the United Nations wrapped up on Friday in Shanghai, offering foreign professionals a glimpse of China's AI development.
It is the first time a workshop of this kind has been organized by China and the UN.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended the opening ceremony.
The four-day event included seminars on AI development, visits to Shanghai's top AI firms, and dialogs with business leaders.
Those taking part in the special workshop include foreign delegates working in governmental organizations.
"I was actually excited to see the use of AI in China. The areas that we visited, they actually showed how AI can actually help improve the life of citizens," said Tendai Chada, a Zimbabwean system analyst.
"We have just started digitalization in Madagascar, and we have no time to be late, because technology is very important and we make to work together. Why not with countries like China or other countries in Africa," said Andry Rasoanaivo, secretary general of digital development of Madagascar's Postal and Telecommunications.
In July, the UN General Assembly adopted a China-sponsored resolution to enhance international cooperation in AI capacity building. It calls on all sides to increase policy exchanges, technical support, financial assistance, personnel training and joint research, and to promote greater access to the new technology.
In future, workshops on AI development will be hosted every year in China.
"As part of the program, we had a great chance to visit different startups, different organizations, and even a hospital to see how AI technologies are implemented on the field, and it gives us a very good understanding where we can cooperate, so I'm very optimistic about such possibilities," said Amina Zamulina, an employee of Sberbank AI Development Department under Russia AI alliance.
Shanghai has been a pioneer in economic reform and technological development. In 2018, the number of AI firms in Shanghai reached over 100, now this number has more than tripled.
Foreign professionals attend workshop in Shanghai on AI capacity building
The ongoing China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) has attracted scores of new participants this year, with repeat participants also making their mark at the fair.
Themed "Global Services, Shared Prosperity," the trade fair, opened in China's capital city Beijing on Thursday and runs till Monday.
The CIFTIS is becoming more and more international, with a total of 36 Belt and Road partners showcasing their products.
Tharaka Dissanayake who works at the Sri Lankan Embassy in China has participated in the fair many times. He came to promote tea culture this time and believes that tea culture can better strengthen cooperation and exchanges between the two countries.
"For any commodity, it's a huge market. Obviously, this is one of the greatest platforms close to the Chinese consumer, to introduce ourselves, introduce our products, whatever the services or innovation," said Abeysekara, third secretary of the Sri Lankan Embassy in China.
An old friend of the fair was playing an African drum and the rhythmic sound attracted a large crowd.
"I'm here again. Many people took my WeChat and my contact, my number. So they called me, they ordered and they need more," said a Ghanaian exhibitor.
Dewi Avilia, Counselor for Social and Cultural Affairs at the Indonesian Embassy in China, is also attending the exhibition for the second time. She emphasized the need to promote cultural tourism as recent policies have made it easy for more Indonesian friends to travel to China.
"Chengdu and Chongqing have become two of the most popular tourist destinations for Indonesia. A lot of people now are not only talking about Shanghai, but are also talking about Chengdu, visiting the pandas and also Chongqing, because of the landscape. I think it is a good start," said Avilia.
This year's fair has also attracted huge number of new participants showcasing quality products.
"This is my first time. It's a great opportunity that we are able to showcase our products and to let people know about Uganda and Ugandan culture," said Mukisa Joseph, a Ugandan exhibitor.
"The expectations about this fair is to meet many people in the coffee industry. So far we have had a lot of consumers who are interested in roasted coffee. I'm still expecting more," said Mutijima Emma, a Rwandan exhibitor.
An Uzbek exhibitor, who is also a newcomer, initially intended to use this platform to promote his goods, but unexpectedly met partners from many other countries and found potential business opportunities here.
"This is a good platform to see the different global products and see the Chinese market all together. I met so many different people, but I also met many foreign people who are interested in our products. So I call these kind of events more like a globalization event," said Asilbek Khonkhujaev, an Uzbek exhibitor.
The fair has attracted attendees from 85 countries and international organizations, with over 450 Fortune 500 enterprises and companies taking the lead in their respective industries.
Newcomers, old friends gather at CIFTIS to seek new opportunities
