The inaugural meeting of World Internet Conference Specialized Committee on Artificial Intelligence (SC on AI) was held in Wuzhen, East China’s Zhejiang province, on Nov 20.

The SC on AI is the first specialized, permanent branch of the WIC, comprising over 170 members, including leading experts and professionals from international AI organizations, think tanks, research institutes, professional associations, and industry. It will focus on standard cooperation, AI safety and governance, and industry development, fostering international collaboration and coordinated AI development.

The committee is committed to building an international platform for AI cooperation and exchange, promoting coordinated development and governance of AI, and facilitating global sharing of AI development outcomes. It will build international consensus and promote inclusive and sustainable development of AI through activities such as symposiums, outcome sharing, and launch of initiatives.

Zhuang Rongwen, head of the Cyberspace Administration of China and chair of the WIC noted that the establishment of the specialized committee is of great significance for enhancing the WIC's function as a global platform for extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and for promoting international cooperation in the field of AI. 

At the meeting, working rules and the list of proposed candidates for the first committee were adopted. 

Wang Jian, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, president of Zhijiang Lab and founder of Alibaba Cloud, was elected as the chief chairman of the first SC on AI. Other chairpersons include Wendy Hall, a fellow of the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK and associate vice-president for international engagement at the University of Southampton; Schahram Dustdar, member of Academia Europaea and professor at TU Wien, Austria; Zhang Yaqin, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and dean of the Institute for Intelligent Industry at Tsinghua University; Zeng Yi, director of the Beijing Institute of AI Safety and Governance and member of the High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence of the United Nations; and Zhou Hongyi, founder of the 360 Security Group.

The committee also appointed 24 vice-chairs, who are leaders and experts in AI projects from renowned organizations and enterprises, as well as eight advisors from Chinese and international research institutes and organizations. 

Ren Xianliang, secretary-general of the WIC, presided over the meeting.

Wang Jian, speaking on behalf of the leadership team, emphasized the committee’s commitment to leveraging expertise from academia, industry, and educational institutions to foster impactful results and build a shared, intelligent, and prosperous digital future.

The leadership team, including the chief chairman, chairs, vice-chairs, advisors, and promotion plan heads, attended the meeting.