WIC Digital & AI Academy Advances Its Mission Amid Surging Demand for AI Development

On April 12, the World Internet Conference Digital & AI Academy (WICDA) launched a high-level training program on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity capacity building in Hong Kong.

Ren Xianliang attends the opening ceremony and delivers a speech

At the opening ceremony, Ren Xianliang, Secretary-General of the WIC, announced that the former WIC Digital Academy has been officially renamed the WIC Digital & AI Academy. The shift reflects a significant evolution in the Academy's mission as it aligns more closely with the rapid advancement of AI technologies. The rebranding marks a strategic upgrade in three key areas:

Aligning with technological trends in the AI era

As large AI models see rapid real-world deployment, global competition is shifting from data accumulation to AI capabilities. The Academy is correspondingly refocusing its efforts from digitalization to AI-driven development, positioning itself as a key driver of global digital transformation in the AI era.

Responding to global demand through capacity-building collaboration

Based on extensive research, the Academy has identified shared challenges across countries in areas such as AI governance, ethics, and application. Through structured training programs and knowledge exchange, it aims to deliver practical solutions and support developing countries in strengthening their AI governance capacity.

Bridging the AI divide and advancing global governance

The renaming signals a strong commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable digital development. The Academy will continue to integrate high-quality resources and promote an open, collaborative global ecosystem, helping to narrow the AI divide between developing and developed countries.

Since its establishment in 2024, the Academy has organized more than ten capacity-building programs, engaging participants from developing regions including Africa and Latin America, and has established a strong reputation. Its success lies in effectively matching global demand with targeted capacity-building initiatives.

John Stuart Higgins, Co-lead of Standards Program of World Internet Conference Specialized Committee on Artificial Intelligence, Chair of International Al Governance Association, delivered a keynote lecture.

This year, the Academy focuses on the deep integration of AI and cybersecurity, covering three major topics: AI Technology Trends and Inclusive Development; Low-Altitude AI Security and Agent Security; and Cybersecurity Challenges and Governance Driven by the AI Wave. 

Integrating theory with practice

The program combines theoretical learning with hands-on experience. Participants visited Cyberport in Hong Kong to explore practical applications of cybersecurity technologies, and toured leading enterprises such as iFLYTEK (Hong Kong). They also took part in roundtable discussions with representatives from leading companies including Topsec Technologies, China Telecom Global, Huawei International and ThreatBook, sharing practical insights and frontline experience.

Participants visit iFLYTEK (Hong Kong)

From classroom discussions to field-based learning, and from governance frameworks to practical implementation, the Academy adopts an end-to-end approach to capacity building. By leveraging Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem as a real-world learning platform, it offers valuable insights for global capacity development in the AI era.