分类： technology

Chongqing, China’s largest megacity with over 32 million residents, has emerged as a global model for sustainable urban development through the innovative application of digital technologies. This was highlighted during the 2025 World Cities Day China Observance, held in the southwestern municipality on October 29. The event, themed ‘People-Centered Smart Cities Towards the Future,’ attracted approximately 1,200 participants, including UN representatives, foreign diplomats, officials, and industry leaders. Anaclaudia Rossbach, UN undersecretary-general and executive director of UN-Habitat, praised Chongqing’s advancements in housing, governance, infrastructure, and public services, calling them a blueprint for other megacities worldwide. The two-day event featured forums, exhibitions, and field visits focusing on urban renewal, community governance, ecological restoration, and industrial heritage protection. Chongqing, designated as China’s fourth municipality in 1997, has transformed from an outdated industrial base to a hub of intelligent manufacturing and international exchange. In 2023, the city partnered with Alibaba to launch China’s first large AI model for urban operations and governance. A voluntary local review shared during the event detailed Chongqing’s decade-long progress in leveraging digital technologies for urban transformation. Vice-Mayor Xu Jian emphasized the city’s enhanced competitiveness and growing global reputation. This year’s observance marked the first time the event was hosted in China’s less-developed central and western region, underscoring the nation’s commitment to balanced regional development.

China has unveiled an advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-powered large language model, Fenghe, specifically designed for meteorological applications. Launched on Tuesday by the China Meteorological Administration’s Public Meteorological Service Center, the model aims to provide smarter, personalized, and scenario-based weather services for both the public and various industries. According to Zhu Xiaoxiang, director of the center, Fenghe integrates general large language model capabilities with specialized meteorological knowledge, trained on 550 billion tokens of meteorological data to ensure accuracy. Users can access the model via a miniprogram or website, receiving immediate AI-generated responses to weather-related queries, ranging from disaster alerts to tailored suggestions for transportation, tourism, logistics, energy, and health. For example, in self-driving scenarios, Fenghe acts as a travel adviser, offering real-time recommendations such as avoiding flooded highways during storms or suggesting indoor destinations during severe weather. The system also connects to real-time meteorological data systems like Fenglei for nowcasting and Fengqing for short-range forecasting. Li Juanzi, a professor at Tsinghua University, emphasized Fenghe’s deep integration with real-world applications, aiming to meet public life, administrative, and emergency coordination needs. Wang Jianghai, deputy director of the Ministry of Emergency Management’s flood and drought disaster prevention department, highlighted the model’s role in enhancing disaster prevention and response capabilities, describing it as an expert adviser for flood control workers and a reliable weather companion for the public. The China Meteorological Administration plans to continuously evaluate and optimize Fenghe through a standardized testing system to ensure its long-term effectiveness.

In a significant move to bolster artificial intelligence (AI) development and governance, China’s Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) has passed revisions to the Cybersecurity Law. The amendments, approved on October 28, 2025, during the 18th session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee, will take effect on January 1, 2026. The revised law emphasizes national support for foundational AI research, algorithm development, and the construction of critical infrastructure such as training data resources and computing power. A newly added provision underscores the importance of advancing AI ethics, enhancing risk monitoring, and ensuring safety oversight to promote the responsible application and growth of AI technologies. Additionally, the amendments encourage innovative cybersecurity management practices, including the integration of AI and other emerging technologies to elevate protection standards. The revisions also refine legal liabilities for activities that compromise network security, increase penalties for violations, and expand extraterritorial application where necessary. Furthermore, the updated law enhances coordination with the Data Security Law and the Personal Information Protection Law to ensure precision, effectiveness, and consistency in legal frameworks. Since its initial enactment in 2016, the Cybersecurity Law has played a pivotal role in curbing harmful cyber activities and fostering a safer digital environment. However, persistent challenges such as network intrusions, cyberattacks, and the spread of illegal content highlight the ongoing complexities of maintaining cybersecurity. The latest amendments aim to address these issues while aligning with China’s broader strategic goals in AI and digital governance.

In a significant move to bolster cybersecurity and regulate artificial intelligence (AI), China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, approved an amendment to the country’s Cybersecurity Law on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. The revised law, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, aims to address the escalating demands of AI governance while fostering its development. The amendment emphasizes support for fundamental AI research, the advancement of critical technologies like algorithms, and the construction of AI-related infrastructure, including data resource training and computing power. Additionally, it introduces stricter ethical standards for AI, enhanced risk monitoring, and improved safety supervision. The amendment also seeks to strengthen cybersecurity legal responsibilities and ensure better coordination with other relevant laws. China’s Cybersecurity Law, originally enacted in 2016, serves as a cornerstone in the nation’s digital governance framework. This latest revision underscores China’s commitment to navigating the complexities of AI and cybersecurity in an increasingly digital world.

Shanghai has unveiled a groundbreaking AI-driven meteorological system aimed at providing early weather warnings globally. The initiative, introduced at the 2025 SDG Cities Global Conference, seeks to transform China’s expertise in disaster prevention into a shared global resource. The Shanghai Meteorological Service will collaborate with domestic and international partners to expand cross-regional and international cooperation, ultimately building an intelligent early warning network tailored to the needs of countries and cities worldwide. The system, named MAZU-Urban, integrates advanced technologies such as multi-hazard monitoring tools and AI-driven large language models to deliver real-time disaster bulletins, personalized risk assessments, and emergency response guidance. MAZU-Urban has already been deployed in 35 cities across Asia, Africa, and Oceania, demonstrating its effectiveness during Typhoon Wipha in Macao. The initiative emphasizes collaborative sharing and aims to equip vulnerable regions with the capability to respond to extreme weather changes. The World Meteorological Organization has pledged to promote this Chinese innovation among its members, highlighting its potential to transform passive reactions into proactive actions globally.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on track to become a global leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation, with its AI market projected to soar to Dh170 billion ($46.33 billion) by 2030, according to a comprehensive study by Grand View Research (GVR). This growth is part of a broader regional boom, with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) AI market expected to expand nearly fifteen-fold from $11.92 billion (Dh43.7 billion) in 2023 to $166.33 billion (Dh610 billion) by 2030, growing at an annual rate of 44.8%. The UAE’s strategic investments and policies, including its Strategic Plan 2031, are driving this transformation, positioning the country as a pioneer in AI adoption and development. Nearly 75% of UAE companies have maintained or increased their AI investments in the past year, with machine learning and deep learning technologies leading the charge in sectors like healthcare, logistics, and financial services. The AI healthcare market in the MENA region, valued at $193.1 million (Dh709 million) in 2023, is projected to reach $1.47 billion (Dh5.39 billion) by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33.6%. Similarly, the legal AI sector, currently at $43.3 million (Dh159 million), is expected to nearly triple to $121.5 million (Dh446 million) by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 18%. The UAE’s leadership in AI integration is further bolstered by government-led digital transformation agendas, rapid urbanisation, and the deployment of AI-enabling technologies such as 5G, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT). As Swayam Dash, Managing Director at GVR, noted, the UAE is not just adopting global AI technologies but shaping its own playbook, setting benchmarks for governance and growth in the digital age.