Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as the defining feature of global technological innovation and the transformation of production paradigms. The advent of next-generation intelligent technologies, including generative AI, embodied intelligence, and autonomous systems, is reshaping value creation mechanisms and frameworks for industrial coordination. Meanwhile, these technologies also pose governance challenges and risk exacerbating technological divides within societies and cross borders.
This session aims to explore how strategic investments, in the context of evolving international policy environment and technological deployments, can advance AI infrastructure development, data governance structures, cross-border connectivity, and the intelligent transformation of key industries, thereby fostering a more inclusive and resilient AI investment ecosystem.
Theme 1: AI Investment pathways: Infrastructure, governance, and cross-border interoperability
- As AI systems increasingly demand substantial computational resources and robust technical infrastructures, how can investments be strategically directed towards high-performance data centres and other digital infrastructure?
- Given the current fragmentation in cross-border data flow protocols and algorithmic regulatory standards, how can platform-based investments, regional cooperation mechanisms, or policy-driven tools contribute to constructing interoperable data infrastructures?
- What policy instruments can developing economies deploy to channel capital into digital infrastructure, while promoting social inclusion and resilience?
Theme 2: AI + Industry - Driving structural transformation and investment synergies
- As global industries undergo systemic upgrading, how will AI applications across manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and transportation sectors influence capital allocation?
- Which sectors present the highest potential for investment and transformative impact?
- Considering regional disparities in industrial bases, data compliance, and technical capacities, how can cross-border investment platforms facilitate institutional alignment, risk mitigation, and market access for AI+ industry projects?
- In the broader process of AI-enabled industrial transformation, how can emerging investment areas, such as green transition, skill development, and infrastructure upgrading resonate with AI-focused funds and blended finance instruments to shape a diverse and sustainable investment ecosystem?
Speakers
- Tom Bentley, President, Asia Pacific, International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP); Co-Founder, Melbourne Innovation District
- Mohamed Hareb Al Otaiba, Chairman, MHAO Group, U.A.E. (tbc)
- Wang Peng, Executive Director, Global FOF Association
- Eric Jing, Chairman, Ant Group, China (tbc)
- Zhou Chaonan, Chairman, Range Intelligent Computing Technology Group (tbc)
- Li Yanhong, CEO, Baidu, China (tbc)
- Jack Knight, Deputy Chief Executive, The Investment Association, U.K.
