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Tech Executive's Plan for Provincial Progress on Two Sessions: Using AI to Drive Deeper Integration Across Fujian's Industries

During 2023 Fujian "Two Sessions", lawmakers and political advisors actively hammered out policies on everything from the economy to people's livelihoods. One frequent contributor to the discussions was Zheng Hui, People's Congress Representative and NetDragon Executive Director and Party Secretary, who put forward four proposals focused on boosting the budding digital sector. Zheng's plans centered on fostering innovation in artificial intelligence, edtech and other areas in a post-pandemic world. He also pushed for faster training of AI talent and easing connections with neighboring tech powerhouses like Taiwan and Hong Kong. The deliberations drew heavy coverage from Fujian's state-run media outlets.

As Zheng saw it, Fujian's burgeoning AI industry still has room to grow, especially in core technologies, real-world applications and qualified personnel. When it comes to foundational technologies, he said incremental improvements will not cut it - there needs to be a transformation from just piling on new features to a real qualitative leap fueled by sustained progress. Attracting and growing the needed tech talent pool will take deliberate policy help and fully forming an interconnected industrial ecosystem. As for AI applications, while Fujian is ahead of the curve in smart city solutions, other economic realms are still lagging compared to China's most innovative regions.

However, one sector where Fujian is really showing its smarts is education. Its high level of AI-powered schooling lays a solid groundwork to better blend "AI and Education", supporting innovative digital strategies for prospering post-pandemic. As Zheng Hui noted, "AI is mission critical for Fujian's evolving digital economy. It's the backbone of the whole online sector while digitizing across other industries too. To strengthen AI, they'll need to shore up weaknesses while emphasizing current strengths." Leveraging local advantages, he recommended starting with "AI plus Education" to gradually spread AI integration throughout various industries, cultivating the post-COVID digital renaissance.

In a thoughtful proposal, Zheng outlined four pathways to maximize artificial intelligence's potential in education.

First, he recommended establishing an "AI+Education Hub" in the province. This emerging digital learning cluster would be a breeding ground for world-leading EdTech startups. The hub would strengthen connections up and down the education value chain, facilitating how AI can help create, share, and deliver top-notch online lessons and provide AI training for teachers and students. Government initiatives are key to supporting this vision, encouraging companies and investments to fuel growth and providing targeted assistance to local firms.

Second, Zheng stressed the need to recruit and develop "AI+Education" specialists who can drive techniques like adaptive learning, smart analysis of student progress, and personalized instruction. Generous incentives could attract and retain world-class talent focused on applying these emerging tools to benefit students.

Third, the proposal suggested blending AI basics into existing Information Technology classes at primary and secondary schools. The aim was to update curricula with skills matched to the digital and intelligent era. It also called for boosting IT options across all grade levels and school types, plus including IT on middle and high school assessments.

Lastly, he proposed accelerating incubation of angel and venture funding pools focused on the "AI+Education" sector. Provincial digital funds could also carve out funds specifically for nurturing startups in this promising industry facing financing hurdles.

Zheng went further with recommendations to facilitate exchange with Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, fast-track cultivation of AI talent, and leverage industry-school partnerships to develop more AI professionals at a quicker pace.

He stressed that Fujian's AI workforce shortage must be addressed through targeted recruitment and growing talent internally. The province also needs to double down on collaborations between businesses and schools to integrate work and education.

When it came to fostering bonds with Fujian's neighbors, Zheng maintained closer collaboration was crucial. As China adapts to living with the virus, he urged removing bureaucratic hurdles stopping the free flow of people and business between the regions.

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"Artificial intelligence is primed to become a core catalyst propelling digital economic growth within the new generation of information technologies. Among sectors well-suited for AI application, Fujian's smart education industry possesses ideal conditions and immense potential. Drawing on our provincial strengths, we propose focusing initial efforts on education to gradually promote deep integration of AI across various industries, cultivating innovative digital economic development in the post-pandemic era."

At the provincial Two Sessions meetings, People's Congress Representative Zheng Hui—who also leads NetDragon as Executive Director and Party Secretary—presented recommendations on nurturing post-pandemic digital innovation within realms including "AI+Education".

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The digital economy, marine economy, green economy, and cultural tourism economy are seen as Fujian's four primary growth areas going forward. Over the past 20+ years, the digital economy has become deeply integrated across all facets of life, piquing significant interest from provincial people's congress representatives.

"Developing the digital economy is now widely recognized as a key part of transforming and boosting economic growth. Beyond the pandemic, the digital sector will undoubtedly serve as a primary driver of recovery,” stated People's Congress Representative Zheng Hui, who also serves as NetDragon's Executive Director and Party Secretary. He believes the AI industry currently occupies a pivotal position within Fujian's digital ecosystem, exemplifying digital industrialization while also powering other industries' digitization.

fujian.china.com.cn

Fujian's AI industry still grapples with shortages in core technologies, application case studies, and professional expertise. To remedy these, People's Congress Representative Zheng Hui—who also leads NetDragon as Executive Director and Party Secretary—attended the inaugural session of the 14th Fujian Provincial People's Congress.

After conducting prior field visits and research, he presented the proposal "Suggestions on Accelerating AI Talent Cultivation and Attraction" at the conference. Zheng outlined specific measures across four key areas to accelerate cultivation and recruitment of AI talent. This aims to provide the sufficient momentum and assurance needed for Fujian's AI industry to develop and enhance its competitiveness on a national scale.

Straits Communication

"In the post-pandemic era, the digital economy will undoubtedly emerge as a prime driver of economic recovery. Among new-generation information technologies, artificial intelligence is primed to become a critical engine propelling digital growth."

Provincial People's Congress Representative Zheng Hui, who also serves as NetDragon's Executive Director and Party Secretary, proposes leveraging the development of "AI+Education" as an initial starting point. This would establish demonstrative application scenarios for "AI+Industry" and gradually promote deep integration of AI across various sectors.

Zheng, formerly a representative to the 13th Fujian Provincial People's Congress as well, has previously submitted multiple AI-related suggestions. Notably, three of the four proposals he brought to this year's conference sessions pertained to AI-related initiatives and opportunities.