The world stands at a key moment where rapidly evolving technologies can be harnessed to bring huge benefits to society across multiple fields, while China is also playing an important role in the new intelligent age due to the rapid development of its sci-tech sector, according to Olivier Schwab, managing director of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Schwab was speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the ongoing 2025 WEF Annual Meeting, which opened in Davos, Switzerland on Monday, gathering nearly 3,000 participants from various regions and industries, with a call for greater cooperation amid the current global uncertainty.
With the five-day meeting themed "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," much attention at Davos is being placed on how new technologies are impacting our world, and Schwab said that properly exploiting these advancements is key to fostering social and economic development in the new era.
"We are at a moment in time where you have a convergence of a number of technologies which are advancing very rapidly, from synthetic biology, sensors, quantum computing, underpinned by [the] exponential capabilities of artificial intelligence. So all this presents tremendous opportunities for society -- think of cancer research, think of climate solutions, think of solutions for the energy transition," Schwab said an interview with SMG International, a leading media group in Shanghai.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang delivered a speech at Davos on Tuesday during which he said the world should seize the opportunity to enhance connectivity in the digital age, and ensure that sci-tech achievements can be harnessed for the benefit of all humanity, enabling more countries to get on board the "fast train" of digital economic development.
Schwab underscored how China is at the forefront of this new age of intelligence, citing the country's advanced tech industries and its efforts to ensure greater global governance of AI as a major contribution to the world.
"China has an important role to play when it comes to the advancement of technologies. And by the way, it's leading in a number of technologies. I think we will hear about further developments in technology from China and how this can contribute to the rest of the world," he said.
Rapid sci-tech advances present tremendous opportunities for society: WEF official
The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has triggered a humanitarian crisis, leaving millions in Sudan, especially women and children, struggling with food insecurity, displacement, and violence.
The armed conflict that erupted in Sudan in mid-April 2023 has been ongoing for nearly two years, creating a severe humanitarian disaster in the country. A recent report released by the United Nations indicates that by 2025, more than 15 million women in Sudan will require humanitarian assistance.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)'s report -- "Sudan: Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025 - Overview" -- highlights that Sudanese women and children are disproportionately affected by the conflict, facing more acute challenges such as food shortages, survival crises, and the risk of gender-based violence.
The report reveals that approximately 24.6 million people in Sudan are in a state of "severe food insecurity" or worse, with women and children being particularly vulnerable. They face greater difficulties in accessing food, drinking water, healthcare, and ensuring their personal safety.
"Life is so hard. We don't have clean drinking water, and the water supply in grocery stores has also been cut off. We are short of food and water, and we are in despair. The prices of everything are continuously rising," said Sakina Ahmed, a resident.
Due to the severe damage and shortages in healthcare facilities, the situation for pregnant women and newborns in Sudan is dire. According to data from Sudan's Ministry of Health, 295 out of every 100,000 pregnant women die, and 51 out of every 1,000 newborns die.
Additionally, Sudan's education system has been severely disrupted by the conflict. Over 10,000 schools have been closed as a result of the fighting, and more than 90 percent of the 19 million school-age children are unable to access formal education, with girls being particularly affected by school dropouts, the report said.
"I was an eighth-grade student, but because of the conflict, I've been out of school for one year and four months," said Asrar Essam.
According to a statement by the UN resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, the armed conflict, along with the resulting mass displacement of people and widespread food insecurity, has led to a significant increase in gender-based violence, including sexual assaults.
The UN has called on Sudan to establish non-violent response mechanisms and strengthen accountability systems to safeguard the safety and dignity of all vulnerable groups. Most importantly, the UN has emphasized the urgent need to end the armed conflict and restore peace and stability.
Women, children face dire struggles amid ongoing Sudan armed conflict