An opportunity to shape our shared future
On June 25, in Spain, thinkers from Europe and the Chinese mainland will gather at the 2025 China–Europe Seminar on Human Rights to explore how AI and emerging tech can advance universal rights and values. As AI evolves from sci-fi to daily reality, we stand at a crossroads where technology must serve human dignity.
AI from lab to field
Technologies like big data, cloud computing and AI are already reshaping industries worldwide. On the Chinese mainland, agricultural drones now protect more than 133 billion square meters of farmland each year, while AI-powered logistics—from high-altitude drone flights to last-mile delivery—are boosting efficiency in cities like Shenzhen and Hangzhou.
Robots on the road and in the factory
Autonomous driving is moving beyond closed tests into public roads. Robotaxis are ferrying passengers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Wuhan, and autonomous buses and freight vehicles are being trialed in the U.S., Japan and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, humanoid robots with advanced vision and AI-assisted control are shifting from demos to factory floors, hospitals and museums—hinting at a future where they become everyday helpers and "new blue-collar workers."
Ethics, equality and human rights
But with great power comes great responsibility. As AI replaces routine jobs, fair distribution of economic gains becomes critical. Data is now a core asset, and those without access risk falling further behind. From algorithmic bias to deepfakes, digital tools raise urgent ethical dilemmas that demand new frameworks for rights in the digital age.
Experts at the seminar will debate how to modernize human rights frameworks, ensuring AI innovation supports inclusion, transparency and human well-being. Bridging technology, ethics and governance, this dialogue aims to pave a shared path where AI drives progress without leaving anyone behind.
Reference(s):
Technology for good: Building a shared path in the age of AI
cgtn.com
