National political adviser calls for active embrace of AI era

A national political adviser has called on Beijing to boldly embrace the AI (artificial intelligence) era, saying the only solution is to understand and become familiar with it, so as to utilize it and achieve new development.

Liu Yonghao, chairman of China's agricultural conglomerate, New Hope Group, and a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said that as a "veteran" of private enterprises and a "veteran farmer" of over 40 years, he was a witness, beneficiary, and participant in the nation's development.

Speaking in Beijing on March 2 in a media communication session ahead of the two sessions, Liu said enabling traditional industries — including animal husbandry — to take flight with AI wings is not only a key to enriching farmers, but also the foundation for building a strong agricultural nation.

Founded by Liu in 1982, New Hope Group is a private enterprise mainly engaged in modern agriculture and the food industry and was listed in Shenzhen in 1998 — owning more than 600 subsidiaries and employing over 100,000 workers worldwide.

Liu stressed that measures such as including AI equipment for traditional industries in the purchase subsidy catalog and incorporating AI data platforms for traditional industries into the scope of digital agriculture pilot programs will strongly promote the development of new quality productive forces in traditional industries.

He proposed that entrepreneurs in traditional industries must adjust their mindset and redouble their efforts, firmly committing to a path of "upward competition" in technology, quality, and service, and a path of transformation and upgrade.

"Fear, worry, and anxiety are all useless; the only solution is to understand it, become familiar with it, and embrace it," Liu said of AI. "In the process of participation, enhance your confidence, discover new opportunities, thereby grasping it, utilizing it, and achieving new development."

Regarding rural vitalization, Liu said what is most scarce for rural development today is comprehensive talent that meets rural needs.

To change this situation, he urges for talent cultivation in such areas as rural planning, industrial upgrading, rural technology, and brand marketing, as well as building resource linkage platforms.