WEF Executive Director Calls for Ethical AI to Drive Inclusive Growth
On September 21, Liang Jinhui, Executive Director and Greater China Chair of the World Economic Forum, said at the 2026 China-Europe Talent Forum that artificial intelligence will reshape production and daily life just as electricity and the internet did. She stressed that humanity should guide AI with wisdom, ethics and values to make it a force for good and an engine of inclusive growth, ensuring prosperity for future generations.
Liang said humans are at a crossroads in history. AI is driving an unprecedented transformation, entering factories, cities and homes as part of everyday life. Global attention has shifted from knowledge and technology itself to human creativity. She also warned that technology is a double-edged sword, capable of driving innovation and efficiency while posing threats if governance and conscience are lacking. The global focus is no longer just on how fast AI models improve, but on how these advances translate into real-world outcomes, including productivity gains, impacts on labor and infrastructure, and data security.
Drawing lessons from electricity and the internet, Liang noted that major breakthroughs take time to show broad economic benefits. Many companies already use AI for coding assistance and automated customer service, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. Real gains come when enterprises integrate AI into existing systems, combining proprietary data and industry expertise to reinvent business processes.
She emphasized that technology has no borders. To address issues such as algorithmic bias and security vulnerabilities, governments and businesses should strengthen cooperation and manage AI properly so that it can better protect the environment, bridge divides and promote sustainable development. The 2026 China-Europe Talent Forum was held in Beijing on the same day under the theme “Sharing, Coexistence and Win-Win: Developing China-Europe Partnership and Opening New Prospects for Innovation Cooperation.”
