“AI could be the engine that drives our journey to the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030—but only if we steer it carefully,” says Gong Ke, Executive Director of the Chinese Institute of New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies. Speaking on CGTN’s special program "Embrace the AI era: Global Governance Initiative in action," he laid out a vision of promise and pitfalls.
On the upside, AI is already making waves in clean energy and resource efficiency. In Shenzhen, for example, AI-driven battery testing slashed costs by 40%, cutting both energy use and material waste. It’s a glimpse of what’s possible when smart analytics meet green ambition.
But Gong warns of unintended side effects: AI could widen the digital divide and heighten environmental pressures if left unchecked. To tackle these risks, the Chinese mainland is championing a "digital and green dual transformation"—boosting AI efficiency and powering data centers with renewable energy.
Closing gaps means building capacity. Gong highlighted a UN-backed digital cooperation resolution and a flagship Engineering Capacity Building for Africa program, designed to strengthen infrastructure and cultivate local AI talent across the continent.
By weaving technology with policy and global partnerships, Gong believes AI can become a force for real-world impact—from safe water and clean power to inclusive growth—ensuring no one is left behind on the path to 2030.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
