On August 15th, the Shanghai Federation of Social Science Associations (SFSSA), in collaboration with the Shanghai Writers’ Association, the Publicity Department of CPC Jing’an District Committee, and the Shanghai People’s Publishing House, hosted the first Special Event of the “Wangdao Reading Club” for the 2024 Shanghai Book Fair at the Writer’s Bookstore， focusing on “The New Round of Technological Revolution and Chinese Modernization.” 

Wang Zhan, Chairman of the SFSSA, delivered a keynote speech on the theme “The New Round of Technological Revolution and Chinese Modernization”. He reviewed the history of Shanghai’s technological innovation and, from the perspective of system integration, outlined the overall framework and development trajectory of the current AI revolution through a pyramid framework diagram consisting of three levels: 1）AI, 2) new infrastructure and new platforms, and, 3)scenarios and industries. He pointed out the need to consider how China can advance technological innovation and industrial transformation in the AI revolution, and how Shanghai can integrate its industrial advantages with AI to become a leader and pioneer. He also pointed out the need to address the challenges posed by the technological revolution to the social sciences, focusing on the political economy of the digital age, exploring the transformation of production relations in the digital era, and paying attention to the ethical issues brought about by AI. AI should be harnessed and used to benefit humanity.

Guo Jin, Director of the Research Department of the Shanghai Branch of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, introduced their new monograph Artificial Intelligence and a New Round of Technological Revolution, describing its structural framework and outlining its core viewpoints. He observed that in the context of unprecedented changes on a scale not witnessed for a century, the unfolding technological revolution and industrial transformation offer a plethora of strategic opportunities. AI is the main focus of the revolution, and its advancement is contingent upon the robust backing of national resources. He explained that the book Artificial Intelligence and a New Round of Technological Revolution is based on the pyramid framework diagram of the ongoing AI revolution, attempting to delineate its overall structure. Its goal is to offer strategic insights and actionable recommendations to help respond better to this major change of epochal, global and historic magnitudes.