WIC Asia-Pacific Summit in HK to foster more discussions on AI governance

Next week, the world's spotlight is turning to Hong Kong.

From April 14 to 15, the 2025 World Internet Conference (WIC) Asia-Pacific Summit will take place in the dynamic city of Hong Kong, ushering in a new wave of global dialogue on digital development.

With the theme "Integration of AI and Digital Technologies Shaping the Future – Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," the summit serves as both a barometer of digital economy trends in the Asia-Pacific region and a global platform for the exchange of ideas across borders and cultures.

Hong Kong city scenery

More than a thousand representatives from government departments, industry, academia, and research institutions across dozens of countries and regions are expected to participate in the summit. Among them are senior officials from United Nations agencies, ministerial-level officials, and pioneering internet figures such as Kilnam Chon, known as the "Father of the Internet in South Korea," and Nii Narku Quaynor, the "Father of the Internet in Africa".

Their presence reflects a shared aspiration across the Asia-Pacific region for a digitally inclusive and collaborative future. The summit will feature the main forum and three specialized sub-forums on topics including cutting-edge technologies, real-world applications, and governance under the principle of "AI for good".

Discussions will center on AI ethics and cross-border data flows, inclusive digital finance and smart urban governance, aligning closely with the pressing challenges in global digital transformation.

A major highlight of the main forum will be the release of two flagship reports: Governing AI for Good and for All—Empowering Global Sustainable Development and Comparative Study on Cross-Border Global Data Flow Policies. In addition, the sub-forums—focusing on large AI models, digital government and smart life, and digital finance—will unveil eight in-depth reports as outcomes of the WIC Think Tank Cooperation Program.

These reports reflect a growing consensus within the industry that ethical guidance must evolve in tandem with the rapid advancement of computational power.

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

The summit also doubles as a launchpad for collaboration and practical action. Government-enterprise dialogues will foster cross-sector exchanges and highlight the vibrancy of the digital ecosystem. The Briefing on 2025 Practice Cases of Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace and WIC Awards for Pioneering Science and Technology (Hong Kong) are expected to facilitate more cooperation within the industry. The Journey into the China Unicom Global ● WIC Member Day and the WIC Cybersecurity Emergency Response Advanced Training Program will foster communication between research side and production side as well as collaboration in response to security challenges.

The choice of Hong Kong as the host city of the summit is no coincidence. Its spirit of openness and its strategic position in the region make it an ideal venue. In recent years, the city has significantly expanded its AI sector, establishing a dedicated AI supercomputing center and allocating HK$3 billion for the launch of a three-year AI Subsidy Scheme. Today, more than 800 AI-related enterprises are based in Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport, with over 100 new companies joining in 2024 alone.

With these developments, Hong Kong is becoming a key international bridge for digital technologies and AI - a connector of innovation and a generator of value. By hosting the Asia-Pacific Summit, Hong Kong reinforces its role as a global hub for scientific collaboration, further enhancing its impact on shaping the future of cyberspace.

From Wuzhen to Victoria Harbour, the digital tide continues to rise. This summit represents a powerful convergence of Zhejiang's digital vision and Hong Kong's Lion Rock spirit, resonating with the theme of "Integration of AI and Digital Technologies Shaping the Future".

The Asia-Pacific Summit is ready. Next week, on the shores of Victoria Harbour, the world will witness the next chapter in jointly building a community with a shared future in cyberspace.

See you in Hong Kong.