Leaders highlight AI role in driving sustainable development

The transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in industry and manufacturing was the focus of a recent event co-organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations University (UNU).

The event, held under the auspices of the UNIDO Initiative and Global AI Network, brought together experts from academia, industry, and government to discuss how AI can be harnessed to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In his opening remarks, UNU director Tshilidzi Marwala highlighted the critical role AI can play in driving sustainable development. “AI is transforming manufacturing and industries, making production much more efficient,” he said. “However, we must also consider the social and economic implications of this transformation, particularly the impact on employment.”

Marwala emphasized the need for education and investment in sustainable AI solutions. “We need to educate ourselves about this technology and its impact on society, industry, and economics,” he said. “We also need to invest in more sustainable ways of accelerating automation enabled by artificial intelligence.”

Huawei Hong Kong Research Centre director, Yanhui Geng, shared insights into Huawei’s efforts to integrate AI for enhanced productivity and sustainability. “We have been actively promoting the integration of AI in all sectors of industry to increase efficiency, improve sustainability, and reduce emissions,” Geng said.

Geng provided examples of how AI is being used to optimize network planning and operation, resulting in significant efficiency gains. “By utilizing AI techniques, we can improve the efficiency by around 30% to 50%,” he said. “We can also improve the performance, especially for users with poor network experience.”

Jingbo Huang, director of UNU Macau, discussed the alignment between the UNU Global AI Network and AIM Global’s goals. “We’re both UN organizations, but with different strengths,” Huang said. “UNIDO specializes in manufacturing and industry, while we are more focused on academics, training, and education. This complementarity allows us to work together effectively.”

Huang suggested potential collaboration opportunities, including leveraging UNU’s academic network to connect with industry partners and providing independent research at different project stages. “We can start small with one pilot project and build on it to tackle other challenges,” she said.

The event concluded with a call for continued collaboration between stakeholders to harness the power of AI for sustainable development. As Marwala stated, “If we think together, act together, and plan together, there is no mountain high enough that we will not be able to climb.” Staff Reporter

Ao Ieong welcomes science and technology experts to facilitate industry development

Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Elsie Ao Ieong U, highlighted that high-tech industries such as artificial intelligence are one of the four key industries in Macau and a focal point for development in the coming five years.

Speaking at the Macau AI Conference, which attracted over 500 participants, the government official said that at present, various policies are being implemented in a stepwise fashion.

“We have launched a scheme to attract talent in the high technology industry, promoted the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into a hub for high-level talent, and actively participated in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Innovative Technology Corridor by leveraging the strengths and resources in talent and technologies of the GBA and Hengin,” said Ao Ieong.

“We welcome scientific and technological talent from around the world to come to Macau to set up businesses and facilitate development,” she added.