The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2024 (AMNC24) in Dalian, China, was an exhilarating experience that exceeded all my expectations. As a newly recognized UpLink – World Economic Forum Top Innovator, I had the privilege of engaging with global leaders, innovators, and changemakers over four intense days in Dalian.
The event’s theme, “Next Frontiers for Growth,” was evident in discussions ranging from AgriTech revolutions to AI adoption across various sectors and more. I learned from my fellow UpLink Top Innovators fascinating facts, such as small farmers producing 35% of global food crops on just 12% of farmland, and Africa having only 1/8 of the necessary weather stations.
Networking opportunities were abundant, allowing me to connect with inspiring individuals like Geri Jin Doran ( TechSoup ), Zejun Ding ( ReWild Yunnan 绿野云南 unnan ), and Jojo Zheng ( Good to Nature ). Their diverse journeys in sustainability and conservation underscore the event’s focus on positive global impact.
A highlight was the Deloitte-hosted New Champions Dinner, featuring insightful discussions on AI adoption and the importance of trust in connecting data, AI, and the workforce. The conversations were particularly enlightening, bridging academic research with real-world applications.
Robotics Cats as one of the first China-based UpLink Top Innovators in the Biodiversity Challenge, I had the opportunity to showcase our AI tools for biodiversity conservation. The recognition from UpLink has opened doors to collaborate with research partners like WWF-Hong Kong and The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society.
The event culminated in UpLink’s first-ever Putonghua Press Conference, where I joined experts and the 1t.org team to discuss nature-based solutions. This experience, along with meeting 50 fellow UpLink Top Innovators and leaders from various fields, truly pushed me out of my comfort zone.
The first China—based UpLink Top Innovators:
- Xingzhi Wei | SEED Nature
- Andre Cheung | Robotics Cats
- Zejun Ding | ReWild Yunnan 绿野云南
- Xiang Zhou | Huangshan Green Anhui Conservation Center
AMNC24 was a testament to the power of bringing diverse perspectives together to tackle global challenges, leaving me with a renewed sense of purpose in driving sustainable innovation.
Want to learn more about RoboticsCats in ANMC24? Please contact us at info@roboticscats.com
