November 15, 2023
In a landmark event for global technological leadership, the opening ceremony of the 3rd X-Lake Forum was held by the serene X-Lake in Shenzhen, China, November 15th, underscoring the theme of “Frontier, Reform, Connection". Jointly organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, the forum highlighted China's position as a global innovation powerhouse, as recognized by Andrew Staines, Assistant Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Staines commended China for ranking 12th in the Global Innovation Index 2023, and for hosting 24 of the top 100 science and technology clusters globally, with the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster being notably the second most significant worldwide. These achievements underscore China's significant strides in technological development, especially in the Greater Bay Area. The forum’s theme resonates with WIPO's mission to foster innovative solutions to meet societal, economic, and environmental challenges in the digital era.
The event featured an array of esteemed speakers, including Yin Hejun, Minister of Science and Technology of China, John Lee Ka-chiu, Chairman of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Qin Weizhong, Mayor of Shenzhen. Prominent industry figures like Robin Li, founder of Baidu, and Martin E. Hellman, Turing Award laureate, provided key insights. Li discussed the importance of AI-native applications, marking a new era in AI, while Hellman emphasized the role of public-key cryptography in secure internet transactions, crucial for e-commerce and blockchain technologies. Additional perspectives were offered by Piero Scaruffi, founder of Silicon Valley Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, and Song Yonghua, Rector of the University of Macau, focusing on the development of trusted AI and the role of universities in regional technological and economic development.
The X-Lake Forum has established itself as an influential platform, reflecting the integrated innovation unique to the Greater Bay Area. The forum, held over several days starting November 15th, has become a key event for fostering dialogue and development in cutting-edge technology and innovation, bringing together a blend of influential leaders and thinkers in the field.