Moderator: Zhiguo He (James Irvin Miller Professor of Finance at Stanford GSB)
Sustainable development remains a daunting challenge for the global community. Where do we currently stand in our progress toward sustainable development? Are we on the right path toward achieving the goals of reaching peak CO2 emissions by 2030 and attaining carbon neutrality by 2060? What are the key challenges that remain? On one hand, digital technologies, including AI, offer immense potential for enhancing the efficiency of energy use and the circular economy. On the other hand, AI itself is a significant consumer of energy. Would the recent surge in AI technologies and practices alleviate or exacerbate the challenges of sustainable development? What are the latest technological advancements and practices in the digital circular economy, and what are the implications behind? What efforts should society undertake to ensure that the ubiquitous application of AI could be aligned with the goals of sustainable development?
