International AI Cooperation and Governance Forum Sets the Stage for Global Framework Development

International AI Cooperation and Governance Forum Sets the Stage for Global Framework Development

HONG KONG, Dec. 11, 2023 - On December 8th and 9th, over 50 of the world’s top artificial intelligence (AI) experts, industry leaders, government representatives, and international organization delegates gathered at the International AI Cooperation and Governance Forum 2023 in Hong Kong. The two-day event, co-hosted by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Tsinghua University, aimed to explore the opportunities and challenges presented by cutting-edge technologies like generative AI and to discuss strategies for building a comprehensive global governance framework.

The rapid advancement of generative AI in recent years has opened up new frontiers in AI research and development. However, concerns about security and ethical implications have prompted governments around the world, including those in the US and Europe, to take steps in regulating its applications.

Recognized as a significant international conference on AI governance, the forum garnered support from esteemed organizations such as the United Nations Development Program and UNESCO. Government representatives from countries including the US, UK, France, Germany, Singapore, Brazil, South Africa, and Malaysia, as well as academicians from the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, were in attendance. The forum’s esteemed guests included Ms. LU Xinning, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Mr. FANG Jianming, Deputy Commissioner of China’s Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR; and Prof. SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, among others.

The forum provided a platform for experts to discuss the challenges stemming from the paradigm shift brought about by AI. Prof. Yoshua Bengio, Turing Prize Winner and Founder and Scientific Director of Mila - Quebec AI Institute, delivered a keynote speech on the forum’s second day, emphasizing the importance of balancing democratic governance and techno-libertarianism to ensure inclusivity and sustainable development of AI.

Prof. Harry Shum, renowned AI expert and HKUST Council Chairman, highlighted the need to consider societal repercussions and establish guiding principles and frameworks as AI continues to advance. Prof. Nancy Ip, HKUST President, stressed the importance of governance in advancing and popularizing AI, while Prof. WANG Xiqin, President of Tsinghua University, emphasized universities' responsibility in strengthening global governance of AI risks.

The forum featured keynote speeches by industry leaders, including Mr. Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, and presentations on various topics such as AI security, intelligent photoelectronic computing, and AI ethics. A notable highlight was the roundtable discussion on the development of a global governance framework for AI, moderated by Dr. Liesbeth Venema, Chief Editor of the scientific journal Nature Machine Intelligence. The panel engaged in a thought-provoking dialogue, discussing the challenges and opportunities in AI governance.

Additionally, the forum facilitated collaborative research and talent cultivation in the field of AI through an agreement signed between HKUST and Peng Cheng Laboratory.

The International AI Cooperation and Governance Forum 2023 provided a valuable platform for experts, scholars, and policymakers to exchange ideas and explore the future trajectory of AI. With the collective efforts of global stakeholders, the forum aims to shape the future of AI governance and foster the development of a shared framework that ensures responsible and ethical AI practices.