AI’s Role in Digital Transformation
- 19 July 2024
By Celia Pizzuto
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 Summer Chen, Vice President of ZTE Corporation. Chen shared her insights on how AI is driving digital transformation and contributing to sustainable development goals (SDGs). As a gold sponsor of the event, ZTE is committed to leveraging AI to benefit society and has been a continuous supporter of the summit for the past four years.
Chen highlighted the importance of the summit as a platform for sharing innovations and experiences in AI for social good. “This event is so great; it’s a platform everyone can come to and share their spotlight. […] We at ZTE are proud to sponsor this event continuously and bring our latest AI innovations,” Chen said. She emphasized ZTE’s dedication to using AI to achieve the SDGs and improve societal outcomes.
One of the key applications ZTE is working on involves using AI in conjunction with 5G technology for city management.
“We are using our 5G and AI technologies to set up city management systems that collect all kinds of data, like gas, water, and other city information. This helps protect people’s lives and property through a digital platform,” Chen explained.
This approach demonstrates AI’s potential to enhance urban safety and efficiency.
Chen elaborated on the impact of AI on the ICT and telecom sectors. ZTE focuses on providing communication networks that serve as the foundation for various applications, benefiting both industries and individual experiences. The goal is to make these networks more efficient, greener, and easier to manage. She noted that they are using AI for resource allocation based on the specific requirements of applications. It also aids in managing energy consumption, leading to a greener network. She added that AI facilitates smarter network maintenance, reducing the need for extensive human intervention.
The acceleration of AI development in the ICT sector is another area of focus for ZTE. Chen emphasized the positive effects of AI and its potential to bring significant benefits to industries, helping them achieve faster, highly efficient production and maintenance, enabling quick digital transformation. ZTE’s innovations are designed to support this rapid digitalization, ensuring industries can effectively embrace the digital era.
ZTE is also committed to making AI accessible to everyone. The company is developing smart devices that incorporate AI algorithms and features, allowing more people to enjoy the benefits of AI. Chen highlighted the importance of inclusive AI, stating:
“We are designing innovations in smart devices using AI to ensure everyone can enjoy its benefits.”
Despite the positive outlook, Chen acknowledged the challenges associated with AI, particularly in terms of governance and standardization. ZTE is actively collaborating with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to address these issues.
Chen explained that they are involved in governance-related work and standardization efforts to ensure AI benefits everyone. This proactive approach aims to prepare for the future and maximize AI’s positive impact on society.
Summer Chen’s participation at the AI for Good Global Summit underscores ZTE’s commitment to leveraging AI for societal benefit, aligning with its goal of contributing to the SDGs through high-tech innovation and digital transformation. By integrating AI with advanced technologies like 5G, ZTE aims to create safer, more efficient urban environments and support rapid industrial digitalization. Chen’s insights at the summit highlight the transformative potential of AI in the ICT and telecom sectors. ZTE’s dedication to using AI for social good, combined with its efforts in governance and standardization, positions the company as a leader in driving digital transformation and sustainable development. As AI continues to evolve, ZTE’s innovations and strategic initiatives provide a roadmap for how technology can be harnessed to benefit society at large.
Watch the full interview here
