Artificial intelligence (AI) has become the core driving force of a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation. While new scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs benefit mankind, ethical risks, and challenges also arise. Given their combined positive and negative impacts and other controversies, more and more organizations and private sectors are looking for ways to use and develop these technologies sustainably and locally for people.

On 9 May 2023, UNIDO participated at the 3rd Tencent STAC Science and Technology Innovation Joint Conference with the theme of "AI in all beings matter toward a shared future,” which was held in Chengdu, China. UNIDO presented how AI can play a role in productivity and competitiveness, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, and working on “Progress by Innovation”.

This year's conference was set up around "Science and Technology Innovation Summit + Education Professional Conference”. The event was attended by representatives from the government, industry, academia and research sectors who exchanged views on frontier development trend of AI and global sustainable development, educational reform and talent training in the era of AI, and other ways for AI to serve a better life. Marco Kamiya, Chief of the Digital Transformation and AI Division at UNIDO, described that: "AI is oriented to the field of sustainable development. It needs to be linked and co-innovated with a wide range of industries and scenarios, and jointly promote the exploration of AI technology in education inclusion, youth innovation, common welfare and progress of mankind.”

Together with the Institution of New Economic Development (iNED), UNIDO delegation visited the Chengdu Smart City Information Technology, the Tianfu New Area Planning Hall, and the Sichuan Energy Internet Research Institute of Tsinghua University. Best practices were shared on the factors that have contributed to the new development plan of Chengdu as a “Park City”, integrating high technologies utilized in a way to reserve nature and culture diversity while meeting the citizens’ growing pursuit of a better life.