In the two years since the World Internet Conference (WIC) established itself as an international organization on July 12, 2022, it has made significant strides in promoting digital development and building a community with a shared future in cyberspace. Here are some of its most notable achievements.
A Decade of Wuzhen Summit
The year 2023 marked the first anniversary of the establishment of the World Internet Conference Organization and the 10th year of the WIC Wuzhen Summit. During the 2023 Wuzhen Summit, the key document "Sovereignty in Cyberspace: Theory and Practice (Version 4.0)," jointly developed by prominent universities and research institutions, was released.
The WIC Awards
The WIC has upgraded its Release Ceremony for World Leading Internet Scientific and Technological Achievements to the World Internet Conference Awards for Pioneering Science and Technology (the “WIC Awards”). These awards celebrate the most cutting-edge global internet technological advances annually during the WIC Wuzhen Summit. In 2022 and 2023, 57 leading achievements were recognized for each year, covering fields such as AI, 5G, 6G, big data, cybersecurity, high-performance chips, and the industrial internet. These achievements are highlighted in the publication The Charm of Science and Technology.
Collection of Practice Cases
In alignment with its vision of building a community with a shared future in cyberspace, the WIC has actively solicited practice cases from diverse entities, including government departments, international organizations, research institutes, and enterprises. From these submissions, 60 cases were shortlisted, with 13 outstanding examples presented at the WIC Wuzhen Summit. The practice cases of 2022 and 2023 are compiled in the "Collection of Practice Cases of Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace."
Internet Development Reports
On Nov 9, 2022, at the WIC Wuzhen Summit, the Chinese Academy of Cyberspace Studies (CACS) released the blue books titled the “China Internet Development Report 2022” and the “World Internet Development Report 2022”. These reports were compiled with contributions from top think tanks and research institutions in the field of the internet, both domestically and internationally. The 2023 edition was unveiled at the 2023 WIC Wuzhen Summit, showcasing progress, achievements, and trends in internet development.
AI Working Group
To promote safe and reliable development of the industry and address common global challenges, the WIC established an artificial intelligence (AI) working group on Aug 30, 2023. At the WIC Wuzhen Summit later that year, the group released "The Research Report and Consensus on Building Responsible Generative Artificial Intelligence "(the “Report”), analyzing GenAI technology trends, opportunities, safety, and ethical challenges. The Report includes efforts by major countries and industries and presents 10 consensus points for responsible GenAI development.
AI for Social Good
On May 26, 2023, The WIC introduced the "World Internet Conference AI for Social Good Action Plan", focusing on AI's potential to address social, environmental, and public health challenges. This initiative aligns with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). After receiving the first round of 33 projects from over 20 companies, the "World Internet Conference AI for Social Good Action Plan (2023 - 2025)" was developed and released in Nishan Dialogue on Digital Civilization in Qufu, East China's Shandong province on June 26, 2023.
Cross-Border E-commerce Working Group
Recognizing its crucial role in international trade and global economic development, the WIC established the WIC Working Group on Cross-Border E-commerce in June 2023. During the 2023 WIC Wuzhen Summit, the working group released the "Report on Developments of International Normative Systems on Cross-Border E-commerce". To implement the report and promote the best practices of cross-border e-commerce, the WIC launched an open call for case submissions in January 2024, ultimately selecting 63 cases. The "WIC Collection of Cross-Border E-Commerce Practice Cases (2024)" was officially released during the World Internet Conference Digital Silk Road Development Forum in Xi’an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province on April 16, 2024.
The World Internet Conference (WIC) was established as an international organization on July 12, 2022, headquartered in Beijing, China. It was jointly initiated by Global System for Mobile Communication Association (GSMA), National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team/Coordination Center of China (CNCERT), China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), Alibaba Group, Tencent, and Zhijiang Lab.