Experts called for the wise use of artificial intelligence (AI) to expand the reach and increase the appeal of Chinese civilization at a one-day forum held in Beijing.
The First Forum on the Communication Power and Influence of Chinese Civilization was held on Wednesday (June 10th), coinciding with the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.
Organized by the International Institute of Chinese Studies of Beijing Foreign Studies University (IICS-BFSU), the inaugural forum served as a platform for scholars to share their views on the international communication of Chinese civilization and to explore new paths for promoting cultural exchanges.
The rise of AI has become a new variable in the research and promotion of Chinese civilization and is profoundly reshaping the landscape of exchanges among world civilizations, said Niu Xiping, vice president of the International Confucian Association, at the forum's opening ceremony.
"AI can help us break through the major barriers of language and culture, enabling the core values of Chinese civilization to be recognized globally quickly," said Niu, describing it as an "unprecedented opportunity" for Chinese civilization.
The application of AI in cultural promotion efforts in Dunhuang, an important hub on the ancient Silk Road in northwest China's Gansu Province, illustrates the scholar's perspective.
In recent years, Dunhuang Academy has been committed to developing the "Digital Library Cave," an online platform for the global public to digitally explore the cultural relics of the Library Cave in the Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the historic city.
Powered by advanced AI tools, the platform allows users to easily translate classic texts into multiple languages with just one click and directly ask an AI assistant for explanations, making it easier to understand Dunhuang culture.
Various other AI-based innovations are being developed to infuse new vitality into Dunhuang's long-standing culture, from bringing ancient murals to life through animation to reworking centuries-old musical scores into modern melodies, said Tian Weiwei, an expert from IICS-BFSU.
Underpinning these AI-based cultural practices is the country's strong foundation and rapid advancement of AI technology. Data shows that by 2025, China will have more than 6,000 AI companies, while the output value of core AI industries is expected to exceed 1.2 trillion yuan (1 yuan = Rp2,653) or around 176 billion US dollars (1 US dollar = Rp17,981) in the same period, reflecting a nearly 30 percent year-on-year (yoy) increase.
Based on these achievements, China is committed to fully implementing the "AI Plus" initiative and leveraging AI to empower all sectors, including culture, in accordance with the outline of its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).
However, new challenges are also emerging along with AI's potential for empowerment. "The bias of AI algorithms can lead to cultural misinterpretation and erode the authenticity of our culture," said Xu Chang'an, an expert from the CPC's Li-Liang Committee Party school.
Xu Baofeng, head of the College of Sinology and Chinese Studies at Beijing Language and Culture University, echoed this sentiment in an interview with Xinhua. He stated that AI tools sometimes fail to provide accurate analysis and explanations of Chinese civilization due to the lack of cross-language alignment models.
In response, Xu Baofeng and his research team are working with overseas sinologists to develop such models to better interpret the knowledge and value systems of Chinese civilization in different languages and strengthen mutual understanding between China and the rest of the world.
"We shouldn't be overly optimistic about AI, but we shouldn't shy away from the technology either," said Niu, who struck a balanced tone in his speech. "Facing irreversible trends, it's crucial to conduct more research on how to harness the power of AI to advance Chinese civilization," he said.
