Ant Group: Driving inclusive tech for 20 years

—Winner of Social Contribution under the 2024 World Internet Conference Distinguished Contribution Award for Enterprises 

Since its establishment, Ant Group has integrated technological innovation with business and social value as a core path for sustainable development. Partnering with collaborators across various sectors, Ant Group has provided inclusive, green, and sustainable services for a vast number of consumers and small businesses, reflecting its mission to bring small and beautiful changes to the world.

Ant Group was formed in 2004 with a commitment to inclusive development through technological innovation and long-term value creation. Two decades ago, Ant Group launched Alipay, making QR code payments a part of everyday life. Ten years ago, it established Ant Financial, providing financial services to even the smallest businesses. Today, in the era of artificial intelligence, Ant Group strives to make AI as accessible and integral to daily life as QR code payments, enabling every individual to have their own smart assistant for life, finance, and health, ensuring data flows as easily as tap water, and allowing every small business to benefit from the dividends of data value.

As stated in the award citation, Ant Group leverages digital technology to empower small and micro-enterprises and serve the real economy, with initiatives such as Ant Forest mobilizing over 700 million people to jointly paint a blueprint for green development.

According to Ant Group's sustainability report, despite external challenges, the number of small and micro-enterprises served by the company increased to 87 million in 2023, contributing to the resilient development of the economy and society.

The company also invested 21.19 billion yuan ($2.94 billion) in R&D, focusing on AI and data technology to make AI as convenient as QR code payments for everyone's daily life. In terms of social value, Ant Forest has planted 548 million trees in the past eight years, with over 90 percent of them planted in key regions of China's Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program.

Eric Jing, Ant Group's Chairman and CEO, remarked that for 20 years, the company has pursued relentlessly one original dream: to realize equal opportunities to thrive for every small business and every ordinary individual. This is not only Ant Group's business model but also its societal purpose.

The World Internet Conference launched its Distinguished Contribution Award in 2024 to recognize individuals and enterprises that have made outstanding contributions to the global internet sector. The first award ceremony was held at last year's Wuzhen Summit, where seven global leaders and 14 renowned companies were honored.

The award for enterprises is divided into three categories: Social Contribution, Innovation Breakthrough, and Growth Potential. The winners come from diverse sectors, including internet platforms, mobile communications, artificial intelligence, chip design, energy and power, and cybersecurity. The award paints a vibrant and prosperous picture of the global internet ecosystem, encouraging more excellent enterprises to contribute to the development of the internet industry and explore the infinite possibilities of the digital future.