Launch / Award Event #52 Intelligent Society Development & Governance Research

Summary

This discussion took place at the 20th United Nations Internet Governance Forum, focusing on China’s approach to intelligent society development and governance. Xunhua Guo from Tsinghua University opened by explaining how AI and frontier technologies are driving a transformation from information society to intelligent society. He highlighted that Tsinghua established the Institute for Intelligent Society Governance in 2019 to explore Chinese approaches through social experiments with AI, which has led to 92 national experimental bases across China conducting pioneering research.

Professor Su Jun presented their latest research, emphasizing that the intelligent society brings both opportunities and challenges, including misinformation, privacy concerns, and ethical boundaries. He explained China’s nationwide AI application program launched in 2021, involving over 2,000 application scenarios and 30,000 participants. The research resulted in a book featuring 10 case studies that demonstrate how AI empowers grassroots innovation and improves quality of life across diverse fields from education to public health.

Zhou Chaolan from Range Group discussed their partnership with Tsinghua University through the joint research institute established in 2023, which produced publications on intelligent society governance. She announced plans to establish a fund at Tsinghua to support teachers and students contributing to this field.

Two practical examples were shared: Dou Guimei from Tsinghua University Primary School described their AI-powered low-carbon campus initiatives, while Professor Ahmed Elsabbagh from Egypt’s Ain Shams University presented their digital transformation efforts in higher education. The discussion concluded with calls for international cooperation to build an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable intelligent society that preserves human dignity while leveraging technological advancement.

Keypoints

**Major Discussion Points:**

– **China’s National AI Governance Initiative**: The establishment of Tsinghua University’s Institute for Intelligent Society Governance in 2019, creation of 92 national experimental bases across China, and development of guidelines for intelligent society development and governance, representing a systematic approach to managing AI’s societal impact.

– **Book Launch and Research Presentation**: The release of “Chinese Stories of Intelligent Society Development and Governance” featuring 10 case studies that demonstrate how AI is being implemented at grassroots levels across diverse sectors including education, public health, and social governance.

– **Educational Applications of AI**: Practical examples of AI integration in educational settings, particularly Tsinghua University Primary School’s low-carbon campus initiative using AI-powered systems for environmental monitoring, data analysis, and sustainable resource management.

– **International Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing**: Discussion of partnerships between Chinese institutions and international counterparts, exemplified by the Tsinghua-Range Joint Research Institute and Egypt’s Faculty of Engineering adoption of AI governance principles in higher education.

– **Challenges and Future Directions**: Recognition of ongoing challenges in AI implementation including misinformation, privacy concerns, digital divides between institutions, and the need for ethical frameworks to preserve human dignity in an intelligent society.

**Overall Purpose:**

The discussion aimed to present and celebrate China’s approach to intelligent society governance through the launch of a research publication, while fostering international dialogue and collaboration on AI’s societal impacts. The event served as a platform to share practical case studies, establish partnerships, and promote global cooperation in managing the transition to AI-integrated societies.

**Overall Tone:**

The discussion maintained a consistently optimistic and collaborative tone throughout. Speakers expressed enthusiasm about AI’s potential benefits while acknowledging challenges responsibly. The tone was formal yet welcoming, emphasizing international cooperation and shared learning. There was a strong sense of pride in achievements combined with genuine interest in global partnership and knowledge exchange.

Speakers

– **Xunhua Guo**: Vice Chair of University Council at Tsinghua University, representing Tsinghua University at the 20th United Nations Internet Governance Forum

– **Ahmed Elsabbagh**: Professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University in Egypt, specializing in intelligent society development and governance in Egyptian higher education

– **Dou Guimei**: Principal of Tsinghua University Primary School, Co-director of Tsinghua University National Intelligent Society Governance Experiment Base, Chinese teacher with expertise in think-based teaching and low-carbon campus initiatives

– **Zhou Chaolan**: Representative of Range Group (a leading Chinese high-tech company), Co-organizer of the event, involved in establishing the Tsinghua-Range Joint Research Institute for Intelligent Society in 2023

– **Moderator**: Event moderator facilitating the discussion and presentations

– **Su Jun**: Professor at Tsinghua University, Co-author of research on intelligent society development and governance, involved in establishing the Tsinghua-Range Joint Research Institute for Intelligent Society

Additional speakers:

None identified beyond the provided speakers names list.

# Report: China’s Intelligent Society Development and Governance Research

## Book Launch at the 20th United Nations Internet Governance Forum

### Executive Summary

This report documents a book launch and research presentation held at the 20th United Nations Internet Governance Forum, focusing on China’s approach to intelligent society development and governance. The session featured speakers from Tsinghua University, Range Group, Tsinghua University Primary School, and Ain Shams University in Egypt, who presented research findings and shared practical implementation experiences in AI integration across various sectors.

The event centered around the launch of a new research publication documenting case studies from China’s national AI application program, along with presentations on experimental governance models and educational implementations of AI technology.

### Opening Framework and Research Context

**Xunhua Guo**, Vice Chair of University Council at Tsinghua University, opened the session by establishing the context for intelligent society development research. He explained that AI and frontier technologies are driving a transformation from information society to intelligent society, describing this as “a fundamental question of both theory and practice when that concerns the future of mankind.”

Guo outlined that Tsinghua University established the Institute for Intelligent Society Governance in 2019 to explore approaches through social experiments with AI. According to Guo, this initiative has expanded to include 92 national experimental bases across China conducting research in intelligent society development. He stated that China brings advantages to this field through diverse real-world scenarios and experimental governance traditions.

Guo mentioned that guidelines for intelligent society development and governance are being prepared, with a 2025 edition receiving government support and scheduled for public release.

### Research Findings and Book Launch

**Su Jun** from Tsinghua University presented the core research findings and announced the book launch. He explained that while intelligent society brings opportunities, it also presents challenges including misinformation, privacy concerns, and ethical issues.

Su Jun detailed China’s nationwide AI application program launched in 2021, which he stated has involved over 2,000 application scenarios and engaged 30,000 participants. This research program has resulted in the publication “The China Stories of Intelligent Society Development and Governance,” featuring 10 case studies demonstrating AI applications across fields from education to public health. Su Jun announced that the book “will be published by Springer Press next year.”

Su Jun identified specific challenges that AI introduces to society, stating: “AI changes the way in which knowledge is created, transmitted, and verified. Misinformation and disinformation will become the main challenges in our society. Cocoon traps individuals. Polarisation speeds society.”

He proposed technology innovation through what he called the R&3D process (research, generic technology development, demonstration, deployment) as a solution for managing uncertainty and risks. Su Jun concluded with a call for cooperation: “People must not and shall not become slavers of technology. At this critical moment, I call upon all of us, let’s work together to foster international exchange and cooperation on AI social impact.”

### Industry Partnership Perspective

**Zhou Chaolan**, representing Range Group, discussed the company’s role in supporting intelligent society development. She described Range Group as a provider of large-scale intelligent computing power for the AI industry, operating data centers that support the technological infrastructure for intelligent society applications.

Zhou announced the establishment of the Tsinghua-Range Joint Research Institute for Intelligent Society in 2023, which has produced publications on intelligent society governance. She also revealed plans to establish a smart society governance fund at Tsinghua University to support teachers and students contributing to intelligent society development.

### Educational Implementation Case Study

**Dou Guimei**, Principal of Tsinghua University Primary School and Co-director of Tsinghua University National Intelligent Society Governance Experiment Base, presented a practical example of AI implementation in primary education. She noted that 2021 marked the 110th birthday of Tsinghua University Primary School.

The school has implemented AI-powered initiatives including data platforms, solar systems, and smart sports fields for environmental monitoring and sustainable resource management. Dou explained that “the school uses AI to support lesson planning and classroom design, connecting classroom learning to real-life environmental action.”

She described educational approaches that extend beyond technology to community engagement, with students and teachers launching a Community Environmental Protection Initiative. This initiative has expanded globally, with the school issuing a low-carbon campus proposal to over 10,000 students worldwide.

Dou emphasized that “children are always at the centre of our school… there is only one earth,” demonstrating how the school positions students as active participants in environmental action rather than passive recipients of technology.

### International Perspective: Egyptian Experience

**Professor Ahmed Elsabbagh** from the Faculty of Engineering at Ain Shams University in Egypt provided an international perspective on intelligent society development challenges. He outlined Egypt’s higher education context and described government mandates for AI adoption in academic bylaws starting in 2023.

Elsabbagh described digitization efforts at his institution but also acknowledged implementation challenges. He stated: “Now we have all problems with the entrance of AI education with the students. They are very smart to work with AI infrastructure in cheating or whatever. Also in staff, as we are staff academics, we have problems using the AI in making proposals and writing proposals.”

Despite these challenges, Elsabbagh advocated for institutional transformation, arguing that “universities must evolve from traditional institutions into intelligent social actors that are data-informed, transparent, and student-centred.” He mentioned that Egypt has established a national strategy for smart campuses by 2030.

### Key Themes and Outcomes

The session highlighted several important themes:

**Research-Based Approach**: The presentations emphasized systematic research and experimental approaches to intelligent society development, with concrete data from implementation programs.

**Educational Focus**: Multiple speakers addressed AI implementation in educational settings, from primary school environmental programs to university digitization challenges.

**International Collaboration**: All speakers emphasized the importance of global cooperation in addressing AI’s societal impacts and sharing implementation experiences.

**Practical Implementation**: The discussion focused on real-world applications and concrete examples rather than theoretical frameworks alone.

### Concrete Outcomes

The session produced several specific outcomes:

– Launch of “The China Stories of Intelligent Society Development and Governance” publication

– Announcement of the Tsinghua-Range Joint Research Institute for Intelligent Society

– Plans for a smart society governance fund at Tsinghua University

– Expansion of educational environmental initiatives to international students

– Sharing of implementation experiences across different national contexts

### Challenges Identified

Speakers acknowledged various implementation challenges:

– Student misuse of AI for academic dishonesty in educational settings

– Faculty adaptation difficulties with AI integration

– Misinformation and disinformation management in AI-mediated environments

– Varying levels of institutional readiness for digital transformation

– Balancing technological advancement with human agency and dignity

### Conclusion

This book launch and research presentation provided insights into systematic approaches to intelligent society development, combining Chinese experimental governance experiences with international implementation perspectives. The session demonstrated both the opportunities and challenges of AI integration across educational and institutional settings, while emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in addressing the societal transformation driven by artificial intelligence.

The concrete outcomes, including new publications and institutional partnerships, provide pathways for continued research and cooperation in intelligent society governance. The candid discussion of implementation challenges alongside success stories offers valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers working on AI integration in various contexts.

Xunhua Guo: It’s a great pleasure to gather with you today at the 20th United Nations Internet Governance Forum to explore the Chinese stories of intelligent society, development, and governance. On behalf of Tsinghua University, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you and express our heartfelt gratitude to all friends who have long supported Tsinghua’s development. Today, AI and other frontier technologies are advancing at unprecedented speed, driving a new wave of technological revolution. These innovations are not only reshaping the way we live and work, but also catalyzing a profound transformation from the information society to the intelligent society. In this unfolding process, Tsinghua University has taken an active role, not only as a leader in cutting-edge AI research and applications, but also as a pioneer in cross-disciplinary efforts to advance strategic and policy research, aiming at advocating the intelligent society transition. In 2019, Tsinghua University set up the Institute for Intelligent Society Governance to explore a Chinese approach to governing intelligent societies by running social experiments with AI. This institute’s work has attracted strong attention from the Chinese government and has been widely recognized across various sectors of society. It has become a leading center in China for talent development, ideological innovation, and theoretical research in the field of intelligent society governance. At the same time, this institute has launched an Intelligent Society Governance course open to all graduate students at Tsinghua University. With the robust support of the Cyberspace Administration of China and other ministries, 92 national experimental bases have been established across the country. These bases are conducting pioneering, practice-driven explorations and the cutting-edge of intelligent society development. Through their collective efforts, they have generated a rich set of Chinese cases that collectively form a compelling narrative, the Chinese story of intelligent society development and governance. Standardization plays an important role in helping build and manage an intelligent society. The Central Cyberspace Affairs Office and the State Administration for Market Regulation closely support these efforts. They organize the creation of the guidelines for the development and governance of intelligent society, that is the 2025 edition. We expect impactful research in this field by Tsinghua University, the China National Institute of Standardization and other institutions. The guidelines have now been shared with relevant departments and will be made available to the public soon. This will help lay a solid foundation for future innovation in intelligent society development and governance. Looking back over the past six years, we have witnessed a remarkable revival of experimentalist thinking in the context of intelligent society. Governance practices inspired by this spirit have begun to offer valuable direction in navigating this complex transformation. As intelligent society continues to evolve and confront uncharted frontiers, we are eager to share China’s most valuable explorations with the world and to work together towards a more intelligent and inclusive future for all. The development and governance of intelligent society is a fundamental question of both theory and practice when that concerns the future of mankind. In an age defined by both rapid technological advancement and deep uncertainty, exploring the rules and logic behind intelligent society through experimental approaches carries far-reaching strategic significance. In this regard, China brings unique advantages, a wide diversity of real-world scenarios and a long-standing tradition of experimental governance. These conditions position China to offer pioneering insights and practical contributions to global understanding of this virtual transformation. It is in this context that Professor Su Jun and Ms. Zhou Chaolan following years of in-depth research have distilled 10 typical case studies and made the compilation of the Chinese stories of intelligent society development and governance. Today, we are honored to mark the release of it. I will also take this opportunity to share three thoughts on the next phase of the work in this field. First, we must adopt a long-term perspective and remain committed to the frontier of intelligent society development and governance. By continuously updating this body of research, we aim to establish it as a landmark work in the global discourse on intelligent society. Second, we should deepen collaboration across governments, industries, academia and research institutions worldwide. Through the integration of practice cases and rigorous academic inquiries, we can expand our multi-dimensional understanding of intelligent society and preserve firsthand historical records of this transformation. Third, we must fully leverage international platforms such as IGF. Through rigorous research and granted case studies, we can contribute to the global pursuit of human well-being in the age of intelligence. Finally, I wish this event great success. Thank you.

Moderator: Thank you, Vice Chair Guo, for your inspiring and insightful speech. Now let’s move to the highlight of today’s event, the presentation of the new study. First I will invite Professor Su to introduce their latest research. Professor Su, please take your floor.

Su Jun: Thank you, Fang. Dear Vice Chairman, Professor Guo, dear honorable guests, dear ladies and gentlemen, good morning. On behalf of the organizers, I want to express my warm welcome to all of you. Thank you for coming. Today information technology, especially AI, is being widely deployed, bringing significant improvement in productivity and a tremendous benefit to people. A brand new age, the intelligent society, is coming. In this age, AI changes the way in which knowledge is created, transmitted, and verified. Misinformation and disinformation will become the main challenges in our society. Cocoon traps individuals. Polarization speeds society. People enjoy happiness of instant feedback. AI reshapes our cognition, tests the boundary of privacy, ethics, and our core values. Social structures are being restructured in cyberspace. New employed models, such as G-Economy, are rising rapidly. With the help of long tail effect, weak voice, gathered in cyberspace, coverage and emerge with newfound influence. Facing this uncertainty and risk, technology innovation is the one and only selection. Innovation process can be divided into four processes. We call it R&3D. That is basic research, generic technology development, demonstration, and deployment. China, with its vast population and diverse social needs, offers some of the world’s richest AI application scenarios. This application provides significant contribution to the global AI development. Studying this practice offers valuable insights into the dynamic interaction between technology and society. It allows us to assess social acceptance, technology infrastructure, and more critically, to explore the relationship between human beings and technologies. And to preserve human dignity in the face of rapid change. In 2021, Chinese government launched a nationwide artificial intelligence application program. It includes 92 application base, over 2,000 application scenarios, and about 30,000 participants across the country. This book is a result of our first study in some cities of China, such as Ordos. This book tells 10 stories including how AI is empowering grassroots innovation, enhance quality of life, and deliver improvement in well-being. These stories span diverse settings, from promotion education equity in remote mountain regions to improve safety and productivity. From social governance to public health. The value of these 10 stories is that they are created by ordinary people, comes from grassroots level, and diverse in different fields. My co-author, Mr. Zhu Chaonan, and my team are delighted to introduce the executive summary of our book, which will be published by Springer Press next year. Ladies and gentlemen, intelligent society is an amazing age. People must not and shall not become slavers of technology. At this critical moment, I call upon all of us, let’s work together to foster international exchange and cooperation on AI social impact. Let’s work together to build a broad digital future. Let’s work together to build a humanity in intelligent society, which is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. Thank you.

Moderator: Thank you, Professor Zhu, for your thought-provoking presentation. Now, let us invite Ms. Zhu Chaonan to share her reflections and thoughts. Distinguished Vice Chair of University Council, Guo Yong, and friends from all around the

Zhou Chaolan: world, good morning. As one of the organizers of the event, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our distinguished guests and express my sincere thanks to everyone who has long supported the development of intelligent society governance. Range Group is one of the leading Chinese high-tech companies dedicated to providing large-scale, grand, and intelligent computing power for the AI industry. We are also one of the largest private data center operators in China. In our work, we have come to realize that the development of an intelligent society is not just a technical issue. It concerns the future and destiny of humanity. My deep interest in this transformation aligns closely with the academic vision of Professor Su Jun from Tsinghua University. With this shared understanding, we together established the Tsinghua-Range Joint Research Institute for Intelligent Society in 2023. We published a book, Intelligent Society Development and Governance Research, which was launched at the 19th IGF in Saudi Arabia, gaining significant attention and recognition. After that, Professor Xu Jun and I worked intensively on a new project. This year, we are proud to present a new book, The China Stories of Intelligent Society Development and Governance. This is another important achievement from our ongoing partnership with Tsinghua University. Based on our cooperation with Tsinghua University, we will continue to update our research reports and continue to follow up on the development of intelligent society and the impact of integrated society. Looking ahead, we will continue to deepen our collaboration with Tsinghua through the joint institute, regularly updating research reports and tracking the social impacts of new intelligent technologies. We will also set up a smart society governance fund at Tsinghua University to reward teachers and students who contribute to the development and governance of smart society and promote more efforts to join the smart society to build and develop the future. We also plan to establish the range found for intelligent society governance at Tsinghua University to reward outstanding teachers and students in this field and to encourage more people to contribute to building an intelligent society. I sincerely hope that more experts, scholars and intellectuals will participate in the great cause of intelligent society development and governance and jointly contribute to the future of intelligent society. Thank you. I sincerely hope that more experts and friends from all sectors will join us in this important cause and together contribute to building a shared future for humanity in the age of intelligence. Thank you.

Moderator: Thank you, Ms. Zhou Chaolan, for your very encouraging commitment to intelligent society governance. Now let me invite our two senior and great guests to comment on this study and also share their experience and stories in intelligent society governance. First, I would like to invite Ms. Dou Guimei, principal of Tsinghua University Primary School, and she is also the co-director of Tsinghua University National Intelligent Society Governance Experiment Base. Good morning, everyone.

Dou Guimei: I’m the principal of Tsinghua University Primary School, a century-old institution. Our educational philosophy is children are always at the center of our school. As a Chinese teacher, I always propose there is only one earth. Inspired by their research, students and teachers jointly set the task of launching the Community Environmental Protection Initiative. This approach is part of our 30-year exploration of think-based teaching. Now at the heart of a newly published book, Think-Based Teaching Theory for Primary Chinese, we have built a vertical AI-powered model to support lesson planning and classroom design, connecting classroom learning to real-life action. As a principal, we brought the green and low-carbon campus proposal to our school-wide assembly. Let us share four ways we use AI to build a low-carbon campus, leveraging digital education strategies for our university. Scenario 1, low-carbon data platform will develop systems for data collection and analysis that leverage AI’s computational power to inform low-carbon management strategies. Scenario 2 focuses on low-carbon education application. In our campus, we have installed solar flowers using global positional and eye-tracking exosystem to enhance those efficiency. There is also a rainwater collection system. Students analyze rainwater data and utilize models for resource-efficient applications. Scenario 3 is low-carbon interactive spaces, which includes swing power generation. We also established a zero-carbon pavilion that monitors temperature, humidity and wind directions. Scenario 4 is smart sports field. AI tools such as intelligent jump rope, 50-meter dash trackers, and our GROSS 3E system visually track students’ physical progress. and more than 10,000 students from the education group, including Beijing and young people in China, to all the elementary and junior high school students in the world, to issue a proposal for the creation of global low-carbon campus, and to build a sustainable future. Implement global campus cooperation, innovate low-carbon technology applications, and call for global participation in AI-enabled low-carbon campus. As a co-director of Tsinghua’s National Intelligence Society governance base, I always propose there is only one Earth. On behalf of all students at Tsinghua University Primary School, I would like to share the low-carbon campus initiative for a sustainable future with good global friends. First one, foster global campus collaboration. Second one, innovative low-carbon technologies. The third one, advocate for low-carbon education. The fourth one, call for global participation. And the last one, leverage AI to empower low-carbon campuses. Finally, let us celebrate 110th birthday of Tsinghua University Primary School. Thank you.

Moderator: Thank you, Ms. Do, for your powerful speech. Now let me invite our last speaker, Professor Elsabbagh of the Faculty of Engineering at I.N. Shams University in Egypt. The floor is yours. Thank you. Thank you. And let me express my gratitude for the invitation of Tsinghua University.

Ahmed Elsabbagh: Thank you for inviting me to be part of your success story and your event here in IGF. My presentation is about pioneering intelligent society development and governance in Egyptian higher education. And I will focus on a case of I.N. Shams University Faculty of Engineering. Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished colleagues and esteemed participants, it’s my honor to speak with you today about the transformative vision, intelligent society development and governance research within higher education in developing nations like Egypt. Thank you. Let me start with an overview about the landscape of higher education in Egypt. Egypt is home to one of the oldest and most expansive higher education system in Arab world and the Middle East. You know, Egypt, as a history, it goes deeply to 7,000 years. But nowadays, Egypt has 92 universities, including 28 government universities, 27 private universities, 20 non-profit universities, total number of students more than 3.3 million in the higher education. Egypt’s population overall is more than 110 million population. Egypt also has started a new concept of technological universities. We have more than 12 now. So Egypt’s first modern university, because the traditional university goes through the history more than 1,000 years. But modern university starts in 19th century and the beginning of 20th century with Cairo University in 1908. Then second one was Alexandria University on the north coast, 1938, and a third, my home university in Shams University in 1950. Over time, these institutions became not only centers of learning, but pillars of national development. But now, as we enter the era of digital transformation and smart governance, the question is how can our universities evolve from traditional institutions into intelligent social actors? These are the statistics that I have told you about the universities in Egypt. What we do understand under such term, intelligent development and governance research. An intelligent society is one where… Okay, is one where decisions in education, health, infrastructure and economy are informed by data, powered by technology and governed ethically. For Egypt, this means addressing urban challenges, industrial inefficiencies. Now we have all problems with the entrance of AI education with the students. They are very smart to work with AI infrastructure in cheating or whatever. Also in staff, as we are staff academics, we have problems using the AI in making proposals and writing proposals. So to do this, universities must produce interdisciplinary research, support national goals, modernize internal governance structure, serve as test beds for smart technologies, artificial intelligence, internet of things, sustainable systems and ensure transparent and participatory management. I will make quickly a focus on my case of my home school, Faculty of Engineering in Shams University, which is following the new rule. Egypt as a whole make a new rule that all the academics and all the bylaws, new bylaws starting 2023 should follow AI or should adopt AI pillar in designing its academic and bylaws. My Faculty of Engineering was established in 1839. It has more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and features 15 departments of engineering. And we are adopting digital governance and intelligence systems by adopting new bylaws, learning management system, everything, e-governance platforms, over 85% of academic and administrative process are digitized now, integration with the national innovation agenda as well as international benchmark. However, there are some still challenges in the Egypt sector wide transition. In Shams is a leading example, yes, but only 40% of public universities have institution wide digital governance system. So we have a diversity in the Egyptian system. Some of them are very modern and some of them are very old. Less than 20% have updated their academic bylaws. That’s another problem. Limited institutional research on the governance, which is the topic of today’s session. But on the other side, the Supreme Council of Universities in Egypt mandates digital transformation plans, make Egyptian a national bank for electronic library and we may adopt a new national strategy for smart campuses by 2030. In conclusion, we must recognize that universities are not just a knowledge transmitter, they are change agents. Intelligent society development begins on campus with governance models and data informed, transparent, adaptive and student center. And faculty of engineering, yes, is a good role model, but we are looking for resilient and forward looking action. And let’s expand this success and link our camps together, not only in Egypt, but in Egypt and China and other all countries and make governance research central to our educational future. And thank you.

Moderator: Okay. Thank you. Thank you for your wonderful speech. Our session ends here. So we are closing our event. If you would like to take a report, we can share some copies here and you can chat with our authors after our session. Thank you. Thank you.

Agreement points

AI and intelligent society development requires international collaboration and knowledge sharing

Speakers

– Xunhua Guo
– Su Jun
– Zhou Chaolan
– Ahmed Elsabbagh

Arguments

International collaboration through platforms like IGF can contribute to global pursuit of human well-being in the age of intelligence

People must not become slaves of technology, requiring international cooperation to build inclusive, equitable, and sustainable intelligent society

A smart society governance fund will be established at Tsinghua University to reward teachers and students contributing to intelligent society development

Universities must evolve from traditional institutions into intelligent social actors that are data-informed, transparent, and student-centered

Summary

All speakers emphasize the need for global cooperation, knowledge sharing, and collaborative efforts to ensure intelligent society development serves humanity’s best interests while maintaining ethical standards and inclusivity.

Topics

Development | Sociocultural | Human rights

Universities and educational institutions play a crucial role as change agents in intelligent society transformation

Speakers

– Xunhua Guo
– Dou Guimei
– Ahmed Elsabbagh

Arguments

Tsinghua University has established the Institute for Intelligent Society Governance in 2019 to explore Chinese approaches to governing intelligent societies through AI social experiments

The school uses AI to support lesson planning and classroom design, connecting classroom learning to real-life environmental action

Universities must evolve from traditional institutions into intelligent social actors that are data-informed, transparent, and student-centered

Summary

Educational institutions are recognized as fundamental drivers of intelligent society development, serving as research centers, testing grounds for new technologies, and platforms for developing governance models.

Topics

Online education | Development | Sociocultural

Practical implementation and real-world applications are essential for intelligent society development

Speakers

– Xunhua Guo
– Su Jun
– Dou Guimei
– Ahmed Elsabbagh

Arguments

China has established 92 national experimental bases across the country conducting pioneering explorations in intelligent society development

China’s vast population and diverse social needs offer some of the world’s richest AI application scenarios, contributing significantly to global AI development

Tsinghua University Primary School implements AI-powered low-carbon campus initiatives including data platforms, solar systems, and smart sports fields

Ain Shams University Faculty of Engineering has digitized over 85% of academic and administrative processes through e-governance platforms

Summary

All speakers emphasize the importance of practical, real-world implementation of intelligent society concepts through experimental bases, diverse application scenarios, and concrete digital transformation initiatives.

Topics

Development | Infrastructure | Online education

Similar viewpoints

Both speakers acknowledge the challenges that AI brings to educational integrity and knowledge verification, recognizing that AI transformation creates new problems that institutions must address.

Speakers

– Su Jun
– Ahmed Elsabbagh

Arguments

AI changes how knowledge is created, transmitted, and verified, with misinformation and disinformation becoming main societal challenges

Egyptian universities face challenges with students using AI for cheating and academic staff struggling with AI use in proposal writing

Topics

Online education | Human rights | Sociocultural

Both speakers emphasize the importance of structured research initiatives and formal guidelines to support intelligent society development, highlighting the value of institutional frameworks and published research.

Speakers

– Xunhua Guo
– Zhou Chaolan

Arguments

Guidelines for intelligent society development and governance (2025 edition) have been created with government support and will be made public soon

The Tsinghua-Range Joint Research Institute was established in 2023 to continue research on intelligent society governance

Topics

Development | Legal and regulatory | Online education

Both speakers highlight the importance of grassroots-level innovation and community-driven initiatives in intelligent society development, emphasizing bottom-up approaches to technological implementation.

Speakers

– Su Jun
– Dou Guimei

Arguments

The book tells stories of how AI empowers grassroots innovation, enhances quality of life, and spans diverse settings from education to public health

Students and teachers jointly launched Community Environmental Protection Initiative as part of 30-year exploration of think-based teaching

Topics

Development | Sociocultural | Online education

Unexpected consensus

Environmental sustainability as a core component of intelligent society development

Speakers

– Dou Guimei
– Ahmed Elsabbagh

Arguments

Tsinghua University Primary School implements AI-powered low-carbon campus initiatives including data platforms, solar systems, and smart sports fields

Universities must evolve from traditional institutions into intelligent social actors that are data-informed, transparent, and student-centered

Explanation

While the session focused on intelligent society governance, there was unexpected consensus on integrating environmental sustainability into AI and digital transformation initiatives. This suggests that intelligent society development is viewed holistically, encompassing environmental responsibility alongside technological advancement.

Topics

Development | Sustainable development | Infrastructure

Industry-academia partnerships as essential for intelligent society development

Speakers

– Zhou Chaolan
– Ahmed Elsabbagh

Arguments

Range Group, as a leading Chinese high-tech company, provides large-scale intelligent computing power for AI industry and operates major data centers

Universities must evolve from traditional institutions into intelligent social actors that are data-informed, transparent, and student-centered

Explanation

Despite coming from different sectors (private industry vs. academia), both speakers emphasized the critical importance of bridging the gap between industry capabilities and academic research, suggesting a shared understanding that intelligent society development requires cross-sector collaboration.

Topics

Development | Infrastructure | Economic

Overall assessment

Summary

The speakers demonstrated strong consensus on the need for international collaboration, the central role of educational institutions as change agents, and the importance of practical implementation through experimental approaches. There was also unexpected agreement on environmental sustainability and industry-academia partnerships.

Consensus level

High level of consensus with complementary perspectives rather than conflicting viewpoints. The implications suggest a mature, collaborative approach to intelligent society development that prioritizes human welfare, educational transformation, and sustainable practices while acknowledging the challenges that must be addressed through international cooperation and structured research initiatives.

Different viewpoints

Approach to AI challenges in education

Speakers

– Ahmed Elsabbagh
– Dou Guimei

Arguments

Egyptian universities face challenges with students using AI for cheating and academic staff struggling with AI use in proposal writing

The school uses AI to support lesson planning and classroom design, connecting classroom learning to real-life environmental action

Summary

Ahmed Elsabbagh presents AI as creating problems in Egyptian higher education (cheating, staff difficulties), while Dou Guimei showcases AI as a positive tool for enhanced teaching and environmental education at Tsinghua Primary School

Topics

Online education | Human rights | Sociocultural

Unexpected differences

Readiness for AI implementation in education

Speakers

– Dou Guimei
– Ahmed Elsabbagh

Arguments

Tsinghua University Primary School implements AI-powered low-carbon campus initiatives including data platforms, solar systems, and smart sports fields

Only 40% of Egyptian public universities have institution-wide digital governance systems, showing diversity in modernization levels

Explanation

Despite both being in educational settings, there’s an unexpected contrast between the advanced AI implementation at a Chinese primary school versus the basic digitization challenges at Egyptian universities, highlighting significant disparities in educational technology readiness

Topics

Online education | Development | Infrastructure

Overall assessment

Summary

The session showed minimal disagreement, with speakers primarily presenting complementary national perspectives on intelligent society development. The main tension was between optimistic AI implementation success stories from China versus practical implementation challenges from Egypt.

Disagreement level

Low disagreement level – this was largely a showcase session rather than a debate, with speakers sharing experiences rather than challenging each other’s approaches. The implications suggest a need for more critical dialogue about implementation challenges and varying national capacities in intelligent society development.

Partial agreements

Similar viewpoints

Both speakers acknowledge the challenges that AI brings to educational integrity and knowledge verification, recognizing that AI transformation creates new problems that institutions must address.

Speakers

– Su Jun
– Ahmed Elsabbagh

Arguments

AI changes how knowledge is created, transmitted, and verified, with misinformation and disinformation becoming main societal challenges

Egyptian universities face challenges with students using AI for cheating and academic staff struggling with AI use in proposal writing

Topics

Online education | Human rights | Sociocultural

Both speakers emphasize the importance of structured research initiatives and formal guidelines to support intelligent society development, highlighting the value of institutional frameworks and published research.

Speakers

– Xunhua Guo
– Zhou Chaolan

Arguments

Guidelines for intelligent society development and governance (2025 edition) have been created with government support and will be made public soon

The Tsinghua-Range Joint Research Institute was established in 2023 to continue research on intelligent society governance

Topics

Development | Legal and regulatory | Online education

Both speakers highlight the importance of grassroots-level innovation and community-driven initiatives in intelligent society development, emphasizing bottom-up approaches to technological implementation.

Speakers

– Su Jun
– Dou Guimei

Arguments

The book tells stories of how AI empowers grassroots innovation, enhances quality of life, and spans diverse settings from education to public health

Students and teachers jointly launched Community Environmental Protection Initiative as part of 30-year exploration of think-based teaching

Topics

Development | Sociocultural | Online education

Key takeaways

China has established a comprehensive national framework for intelligent society governance with 92 experimental bases and over 2,000 application scenarios involving 30,000 participants

The transition from information society to intelligent society requires experimental approaches and cross-disciplinary collaboration between government, industry, academia, and research institutions

AI presents both opportunities (enhanced productivity, improved quality of life) and challenges (misinformation, privacy concerns, ethical boundaries, potential for technology dependence)

Educational institutions are serving as testing grounds for intelligent society applications, from primary schools implementing AI-powered environmental initiatives to universities digitizing governance systems

International collaboration and knowledge sharing through platforms like IGF are essential for building inclusive, equitable, and sustainable intelligent societies globally

The development of intelligent society governance requires preserving human dignity and ensuring people do not become ‘slaves of technology’

Practical case studies and grassroots innovations provide valuable insights into the dynamic interaction between technology and society

Resolutions and action items

Publication of guidelines for intelligent society development and governance (2025 edition) to be made available to the public soon

Release of the book ‘The China Stories of Intelligent Society Development and Governance’ featuring 10 case studies, to be published by Springer Press

Establishment of a smart society governance fund at Tsinghua University to reward teachers and students contributing to intelligent society development

Continuation of research updates and tracking of social impacts through the Tsinghua-Range Joint Research Institute

Implementation of global low-carbon campus initiative proposed by Tsinghua University Primary School to over 10,000 students worldwide

Egypt’s mandate for all universities to adopt AI pillars in academic bylaws starting 2023

Egypt’s national strategy for smart campuses by 2030

Unresolved issues

How to effectively address misinformation and disinformation challenges in intelligent societies

Balancing AI innovation with privacy, ethics, and core human values

Addressing the digital divide – only 40% of Egyptian public universities have institution-wide digital governance systems

Managing student misuse of AI for academic dishonesty and helping faculty adapt to AI tools appropriately

Ensuring equitable access to AI benefits across different regions and socioeconomic groups

Developing standardized approaches for measuring and evaluating intelligent society governance effectiveness

Suggested compromises

Adopting the R&3D approach (research, generic technology development, demonstration, deployment) as a balanced method for technology innovation while managing risks

Using experimental governance approaches that allow for gradual implementation and learning from diverse real-world scenarios

Focusing on human-centered AI development that preserves human dignity while leveraging technological capabilities

Implementing phased digital transformation in universities, recognizing that institutions are at different modernization levels

People must not and shall not become slavers of technology. At this critical moment, I call upon all of us, let’s work together to foster international exchange and cooperation on AI social impact.

Speaker

Su Jun

Reason

This comment is deeply insightful because it addresses the fundamental philosophical tension at the heart of AI development – the risk of human subjugation to technology rather than technology serving humanity. It shifts the discussion from technical capabilities to human dignity and agency, introducing an ethical imperative that frames AI governance as fundamentally about preserving human autonomy.

Impact

This comment elevated the entire discussion from a technical presentation to a moral call-to-action. It established the philosophical foundation that influenced subsequent speakers to consider the human-centered aspects of their work, as seen in Dou Guimei’s student-centered educational approach and Ahmed Elsabbagh’s emphasis on ethical governance.

AI changes the way in which knowledge is created, transmitted, and verified. Misinformation and disinformation will become the main challenges in our society. Cocoon traps individuals. Polarization speeds society.

Speaker

Su Jun

Reason

This observation is particularly thought-provoking because it identifies AI’s impact on epistemology itself – how we know what we know. The metaphor of ‘cocoon traps’ and the concept of accelerated polarization reveals AI’s potential to fundamentally alter social cohesion and shared reality, moving beyond typical discussions of efficiency or productivity.

Impact

This comment introduced a critical complexity to the discussion by highlighting AI’s double-edged nature. It shifted the conversation from celebrating AI applications to acknowledging serious societal risks, setting up a more nuanced framework for the governance approaches discussed by later speakers.

The development and governance of intelligent society is a fundamental question of both theory and practice when that concerns the future of mankind.

Speaker

Xunhua Guo

Reason

This comment is insightful because it frames intelligent society governance not as a technical or policy issue, but as an existential question for humanity. It elevates the stakes of the discussion and positions the work being presented as having profound historical significance, bridging academic research with humanity’s long-term survival and flourishing.

Impact

This framing established the gravitas and urgency that permeated the entire session. It justified the ambitious scope of China’s experimental approach and provided context for why international cooperation and sharing of experiences is crucial rather than optional.

Now we have all problems with the entrance of AI education with the students. They are very smart to work with AI infrastructure in cheating or whatever. Also in staff, as we are staff academics, we have problems using the AI in making proposals and writing proposals.

Speaker

Ahmed Elsabbagh

Reason

This comment is remarkably candid and thought-provoking because it acknowledges the immediate, practical challenges that academic institutions face with AI integration. Rather than presenting only success stories, it reveals the messy reality of AI adoption, including ethical dilemmas around academic integrity and the struggle of educators to adapt to new tools.

Impact

This honest admission brought a dose of reality to the discussion, balancing the optimistic presentations with acknowledgment of current struggles. It demonstrated that intelligent society development involves wrestling with fundamental questions about learning, authenticity, and the role of human effort in education.

Children are always at the center of our school… there is only one earth. Inspired by their research, students and teachers jointly set the task of launching the Community Environmental Protection Initiative.

Speaker

Dou Guimei

Reason

This comment is insightful because it demonstrates how AI governance principles can be applied at the most fundamental level – elementary education – while connecting local action to global challenges. It shows how intelligent society development can empower even young children to become agents of change rather than passive recipients of technology.

Impact

This comment provided a concrete, hopeful example of how the theoretical frameworks discussed earlier translate into empowering educational practice. It showed that intelligent society governance isn’t just about managing AI, but about using it to cultivate engaged, environmentally conscious global citizens from an early age.

Overall assessment

These key comments transformed what could have been a routine academic presentation into a profound exploration of humanity’s relationship with artificial intelligence. Su Jun’s philosophical framing established AI governance as fundamentally about preserving human dignity, while his analysis of AI’s impact on knowledge and social cohesion introduced necessary complexity to the discussion. Guo’s positioning of this work as existentially important for humanity provided the moral weight that justified the ambitious scope of international cooperation being proposed. Elsabbagh’s candid acknowledgment of current challenges grounded the discussion in practical reality, while Dou Guimei’s example demonstrated how these principles can empower even the youngest members of society. Together, these comments created a multi-layered conversation that moved from philosophical foundations through practical challenges to hopeful applications, establishing intelligent society governance as both an urgent necessity and an achievable goal requiring global collaboration.

How can misinformation and disinformation challenges be effectively addressed in the intelligent society era?

Speaker

Su Jun

Explanation

Su Jun identified misinformation and disinformation as main challenges in intelligent society but did not provide detailed solutions, indicating this as an area requiring further research and development.

How can we preserve human dignity and prevent people from becoming slaves to technology in the intelligent society?

Speaker

Su Jun

Explanation

Su Jun emphasized that people must not become slaves of technology and called for building humanity in intelligent society, but specific mechanisms and strategies for achieving this were not detailed.

How can the relationship between humans and AI technologies be optimally managed and governed?

Speaker

Su Jun

Explanation

Su Jun mentioned the need to explore the relationship between human beings and technologies but did not provide comprehensive frameworks, suggesting this requires further investigation.

How can AI-enabled educational approaches be scaled globally while addressing cultural and contextual differences?

Speaker

Dou Guimei

Explanation

Dou Guimei called for global participation in AI-enabled low-carbon campus initiatives but did not address how to adapt these approaches across different cultural and educational contexts.

How can academic integrity be maintained when students and faculty use AI tools inappropriately?

Speaker

Ahmed Elsabbagh

Explanation

Elsabbagh identified problems with students using AI for cheating and faculty using AI inappropriately for proposals, but did not provide solutions for maintaining academic integrity.

How can the digital divide between modern and traditional universities be bridged in developing countries?

Speaker

Ahmed Elsabbagh

Explanation

Elsabbagh noted that only 40% of public universities in Egypt have digital governance systems and less than 20% have updated bylaws, indicating a need for research on bridging this gap.

What are the most effective governance models for intelligent society development that can be replicated across different national contexts?

Speaker

Xunhua Guo

Explanation

Guo mentioned China’s experimental governance tradition and called for sharing insights globally, but specific replicable governance models were not detailed.

How can international collaboration in intelligent society governance research be structured and sustained?

Speaker

Zhou Chaolan and Xunhua Guo

Explanation

Both speakers called for international cooperation and collaboration but did not specify concrete mechanisms or frameworks for sustaining such partnerships.