Cutting-edge tech stars at annual forum in Beijing

Cutting-edge technological achievements from artificial intelligence (AI) to life sciences and new materials were unveiled as the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum) kicked off on Thursday in Beijing, showcasing China’s rapidly progressing technology development and its continuous efforts to promote technology cooperation.

Dazzling technology presentations and symposiums on the opening day of the premier event for global exchanges and cooperation, which is scheduled to run from Thursday to Monday, attracted many scholars, technicians and investors from more than 100 countries and regions to share perspectives and seek deals.

The eye-catching prototype of intelligent humanoid TongTong was launched at the forum. As a practical example of China’s fast-developing AI agent technology, TongTong can discern a person’s intent and offer help, and its intelligence level is comparable to that of a child and still rising.

Aslan Tarik, chief technology officer of Beijing Tangta Technology Co, who mainly focuses on AI and AI robotics, told the Global Times on Thursday that TongTong was among the technological results unveiled as the forum kicked off, and they’re impressive and interesting.

Helen Ma, CEO of Steinbeis Sustainable Technology and Management Beijing Co, told the Global Times on Thursday that the company plans to build a demonstration base for China-Germany technological co-innovation in Beijing this year, aiming to facilitate more cooperation between enterprises in China and Germany.

Raj Reddy, an international member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, noted in an address at the Engineering Innovation Forum on Thursday that AIenabled engineering innovation centers should be established for every discipline to facilitate the new technology to serve society.