A forum aimed at boosting the development of digital economy in Hefei is held by Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone on May 17. [Photo from WeChat account hefeigaoxinfabu]

The administrative committee of Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone hosted a forum focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and real economy in the city of Hefei on May 17.

The forum invited representatives of organizations, enterprises and institutes from home and abroad to discuss how to leverage AI technology to facilitate the development of real economy.

Liu Liangliang, deputy director of the administrative committee of the zone, said in a speech that Hefei has the potential to build itself into a smart city with a strong digital economy. The zone has encouraged enterprises to pursue industrial transformation and upgrading in order to foster an intelligent industrial cluster.

Otthein Herzog, professor at Tongji University and academician of the German Academy of Sciences, introduced the application of big data and AI technology in industrial fields by interpreting representative cases.

Zhang Song, chief scientist for AI application from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, shared his view on the relationship between AI, real economy, and livelihood, and how developers make advances in AI research.

Chinese AI firm iFlytek Vice President Hu Gening emphasized the importance of applying AI to more fields including education, healthcare and government affairs.

Liu Liangliang, deputy director of the administrative committee of Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone, introduces the zone to guests at the forum. [Photo from WeChat account hefeigaoxinfabu]

Otthein Herzog, professor at Tongji University and academician of the German Academy of Sciences, discusses AI applications at the forum. [Photo from WeChat account hefeigaoxinfabu]