The World Internet Conference (WIC) Specialized Committee on Artificial Intelligence (SC on AI) recently organized a seminar to discuss its “AI Safety and Governance Program.”
The seminar brought together over 30 experts and scholars from international organizations, universities, research institutions, and leading AI enterprises. Participants joined both in person and online to deliberate on the work plan, research framework, and anticipated outcomes of the AI Safety and Governance Program for 2025.
The event was chaired by Zeng Yi, Chair of the WIC SC on AI and Director of the International Research Center for AI Ethics and Governance at the Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh, Director of the AI: Futures and Responsibility Programme at the University of Cambridge, concluded the seminar with a keynote address.
A representative from the WIC SC on AI Office opened the session by outlining the 2025 work plan, along with schedules and expected deliverables for the program. The AI Safety and Governance Program will focus on two key themes for 2025: “AI Governance and Sustainable Development” and “Designing a Global Framework for AI Safety and Governance.” Collaborative research initiatives are planned for both areas.
Zeng Yi provided a detailed overview of the research framework and outlined key considerations for AI governance and sustainable development, which are set to be priorities in the first half of the year. He emphasized the role of AI in advancing sustainable development and highlighted the challenges in its research and application.
Participants engaged in discussions on AI governance, the intersection of AI and sustainable development, international cooperation in AI capacity building, and AI safety. Key findings related to international governance and sustainable development of AI were also shared.
The topics explored included bridging the digital and intelligence divide, fostering open-source AI innovation, supporting digital transformation, mitigating AI’s negative social and environmental impacts, addressing ethical and safety risks, and promoting the inclusive development of diverse cultures worldwide.
Attendees emphasized the importance and positive impact of joint research on AI governance and sustainable development. They highlighted the need for the WIC SC on AI to strengthen its role in deepening research and fostering international collaboration through the AI Safety and Governance Program. The ultimate goal is to build global consensus, accelerate efforts to address challenges, and ensure AI benefits humanity in a fair and sustainable manner.
This seminar marks a significant step forward in promoting international cooperation and developing effective strategies for AI safety and governance.
Source: World Internet Conference.
