Day 2 of 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit: Strengthening AI Security Regulation and Innovated Application of AI Agent

The 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit was held over two consecutive days at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre under the theme "Digital and Intelligent Empowerment for Innovative Development – Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace". The summit brought together approximately 1,000 political and business leaders, representatives of international organizations, and experts and scholars from over 50 countries and regions. On April 14, the second day of the summit, six sub-forums were held, focusing on the latest developments in "Innovation and Application of AI Agent", "Digital Finance", "AI Security and Governance", "Smart Livelihoods", "Digital Health", and "Digitalization and Dissemination of Classical Texts".

Mr. Gao Lin, Director General of the Bureau of Cybersecurity Coordination at the Cyberspace Administration of China, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Gao Lin, Director General of the Bureau of Cybersecurity Coordination at the Cyberspace Administration of China, stated at the "AI Security and Governance" Forum that while technological development is crucial, the ideological attributes of large language models must be clearly defined. A combination of institutional and cultural approaches should be maintained to clarify the responsibilities of all parties. He noted that versions 1.0 and 2.0 of the AI security governance framework, released in 2024 and 2025, respectively, could enable security risk assessments, the proposal of countermeasures, and the implementation of tiered and categorized management.

Mr. Gao Lin pointed out that to promote AI security standardization, government departments are actively designing mandatory national standards for the safe application of intelligent agents to prevent risks. The next steps will include further improving the regulatory system, exploring sandbox regulation, strengthening risk assessment and early warning mechanisms, building greater international consensus, and advancing international cooperation.

Mr. Syed Ammar Hussain Jaffri, Chairman of the Pakistan Information Security Association, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Syed Ammar Hussain Jaffri, Chairman of the Pakistan Information Security Association, stated that AI can predict future security events, but it can also be misused. He likened data to the oil of the future, noting that raw data needs processing to unlock its value, and that AI will improve itself based on large amounts of data.

He pointed out that AI-related training should begin in schools and research institutions with clear targets. Countries should engage in cross-sectoral cooperation, adopt "digital diplomacy," leverage social media platforms to respond to anomalies, and apply AI in real-world scenarios.

The "AI Security and Governance" Forum, Photo by Bastille Post

The forum, themed "AI Security and Governance: Safeguarding New Frontiers of Human Development", focused on cutting-edge topics such as global AI governance, the AI security governance framework 2.0, as well as the risk, security, and governance of intelligent agents. Representatives from government, industry, academia, and research institutions systematically discussed core issues, including AI legal regulation, technological risks, standards and rules, and international cooperation. They conducted in-depth analyses of the security risks, governance bottlenecks, and potential spillover risks accompanying AI's rapid evolution, actively exploring more pragmatic, sustainable, and implementable pathways for international cooperation, aiming to inject new momentum into improving global AI security governance.

In the afternoon, the sub-forum on "Innovation and Application of AI Agent" was held. Photo by Bastille Post

In the afternoon, the sub-forum on "Innovation and Application of AI Agent" was held. The forum, themed "From Technological Innovation to Ecological Collaboration - Forging a New Paradigm for Agent Development", brought together representatives from government departments, international organizations, enterprises, and research institutions to exchange views and discuss cutting-edge issues, such as the evolution of intelligent agent technology, industrial implementation, and ecosystem co-construction.

Mr. Ren Xianliang, Secretary-General of World Internet Conference, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Ren Xianliang, Secretary-General of World Internet Conference, stated that the forum was held against the backdrop of artificial intelligence reshaping the industrial landscape and digital ecosystem. Currently, AI is developing rapidly, and intelligent agents are becoming a crucial force in reshaping industries and promoting collaborative win-win outcomes. The Asia-Pacific region provides fertile ground for related development.

Mr. Ren offered four suggestions: First, solidify the technological foundation by driving capability leaps through collaborative innovation, tackling core technologies, and promoting the synergy of algorithms, computing power, and data. Second, broaden application scenarios by being demand-driven, promoting the deep integration of intelligent agents with multiple fields, creating solutions, building cross-domain collaborative platforms, and empowering the real economy. Third, strengthen governance defenses by adhering to a people-centered approach, improving technical standards and consultation mechanisms, and building an efficient governance system. Fourth, unite global efforts, uphold the concept of openness and win-win cooperation, deepen cooperation in multiple fields, support developing countries, and ensure that the fruits of innovation benefit people of all countries.

Mr. Mohammed Alshuwaier, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Mohammed Alshuwaier, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, stated that AI is no longer limited to simple tasks such as content generation. It's entering a new stage of intelligent agents, transforming from a passive tool into a digital partner. He further stated that building a healthy digital ecosystem requires four key elements: practical application, data infrastructure, human-centered design, and multi-party collaboration.

He stated that Saudi Arabia views AI as crucial to digital transformation and economic development, and that AI agents can be utilized to improve digital services, enhance decision-making efficiency, and more. In the future, the focus will not only be on building intelligent agents, but also on ensuring their measurable impact can combine innovation with responsibility, and technology with the ecosystem.

Ms. Liu Hua, Director of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Office in China, Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Liu Hua, Director of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Office in China, stated that we are currently in a period of unprecedented changes, with the two major waves of innovation—digital and deep science—interacting, and intelligent agents emerging as a core representative force. WIPO plans to leverage artificial intelligence agents to upgrade and transform its future service system, shifting from single-point to comprehensive services. Moreover, WIPO also provides 10 application platforms covering industrial property and creative industries, promoting the integration of intelligent agents across various sectors.

Ms. Liu stated that WIPO's philosophy in China is to continuously strengthen cooperation at all levels—government, academia, business, and the public—and to engage with new industries, new technologies, and the next generation, including talent development. Currently, WIPO has established cooperative projects with Tsinghua University and Tongji University, hoping to plant the seeds of intellectual property among the younger generation.

On the afternoon of April 13th, 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit held its main forum, "Distinguished Contributors Gala". At the forum, Mr. Wang Jingtao, Deputy Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, noted that a global wave of intelligent transformation is gaining momentum. The deep integration of artificial intelligence with the real economy is accelerating, emerging as a new engine of economic growth and penetrating every aspect of social production and daily life.

Mr. Wang Jingtao, Deputy Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, Photo by Bastille Post

At the same time, technological hegemony, the widening digital divide, as well as escalating ethical issues and security risks have become unavoidable challenges for the international community. Deeper cooperation is needed to jointly address a critical question: how can digital technology better benefit humanity? In his view, guided by the goal of building a community with a shared future in cyberspace, we must strengthen exchanges and dialogue, expand innovative applications of data elements, and work together to overcome these challenges.

He shared four key points. First, uphold openness and cooperation to create new space for digital economic growth—promote development through openness and win-win collaboration, strengthen international cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, and cultivate new productive forces. Second, promote inclusiveness and sharing to ensure that the fruits of digital development benefit all parties, help developing countries improve the digitalization of public services, and ensure that the achievements of artificial intelligence truly serve all of humanity. Third, strengthen collaborative governance, uphold multilateralism, oppose unilateral hegemony, and promote the establishment of a globally participatory framework and standards for data governance. Fourth, reinforce the bottom line of security by upholding the concept of common security, resolutely combating cybercrime, strengthening data security and personal information protection, and jointly safeguarding a peaceful and secure cyberspace. He believes that the Summit held in Hong Kong will inject strong new momentum into digital economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Financial Secretary, Mr. Paul Chan, Photo by Bastille Post

The Financial Secretary, Mr. Paul Chan, stated that the world is now entering the era of digital intelligence, with AI agents emerging as a major trend in development. We are witnessing a redefinition of connectivity - one that is no longer characterised by digital links, but by digital intelligence. Artificial intelligence is becoming deeply integrated into social production and daily life in a collective, breakthrough-driven manner. However, technological progress also brings challenges such as cybersecurity threats and disinformation, making it essential to ensure that humans retain ultimate decision-making authority and to establish robust accountability and governance mechanisms.

He pointed out that Hong Kong is actively seizing the significant opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, adopting a two-track strategy to drive development. On one track, it has established the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy to explore how AI can transform industries such as life sciences, technology, and finance, while also vigorously cultivating local talent and AI enterprises. On the other track, we are enhancing public digital literacy through education and publicity, enabling citizens to understand how to collaborate with AI agents to create value.

Mr. Paul Chan emphasized that, as an international financial hub, Hong Kong is actively positioning itself as a global data hub, leveraging its financial advantages to support businesses and startups in seizing AI development opportunities. He believed that by taking a pragmatic approach that balances innovation with regulation, Hong Kong can achieve more responsible and beneficial AI development in the digital age, making AI a powerful force for economic transformation and social progress.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, Photo by Bastille Post

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, stated that the world is undergoing a profound digital transformation, and only through technological innovation and international cooperation can we build a sustainable and beneficial digital future, which is also a vision that aligns closely with China's national development plan. The HKSAR Government fully embraces such a mission and is deeply committed to developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology hub, while supporting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in its goal of becoming a world-class science and technology innovation center.

He noted that, guided by the "Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint", Hong Kong is focusing on strategic areas, such as life sciences and healthcare, artificial intelligence and robotics, advanced manufacturing, and new energy. At the core of this effort are three international innovation and technology parks and five key R&D institutions. Since Hong Kong is home to five universities ranked among the world's top 100 and currently hosts over 3,000 top international researchers, two existing research institutes have made significant progress in healthcare, AI, and robotics, and a third institute, focusing on sustainable development and advanced manufacturing, will be established in the first half of this year. The HKSAR Government is making substantial infrastructure investments, including advancing the AI supercomputing center and data center cluster project, which is expected to boost Hong Kong's computing power by more than 32 times by 2030.

Professor Sun Dong also emphasized that, with its open and business-friendly environment, world-class infrastructure, and the advantages of the "One Country, Two Systems" policy, Hong Kong has become a super-connector between the Mainland and the world. Hong Kong's innovation and technology ecosystem has achieved remarkable results, with over 5,000 startups, an approximate 40% increase compared to five years ago, ranking among the top globally in digital competitiveness, high-tech talent, and innovation clusters. He called on all parties to work together to share the opportunities presented by digital intelligence development and to jointly build a community with a shared future in cyberspace.

Mr. Francis Gurry, the Vice-Chair of the World Internet Conference and the Former Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Francis Gurry, the Vice-Chair of the World Internet Conference and the Former Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), said that as a general-purpose technology spanning the entire economic spectrum, artificial intelligence brings enormous potential and widespread benefits, but also significant risks and challenges. As the Chinese proverb goes, "Where there is yang, there is yin; where there is benefit, there is harm." Technology itself is neither good nor evil—its ultimate impact depends on how humans choose to use it.

He pointed out that one of the major challenges of artificial intelligence as an emerging general-purpose technology is its potential to exacerbate social inequality and imbalance. Some societies may fall behind due to their inability to acquire or deploy this technology promptly, while others may gain significant economic growth and competitive advantages. Furthermore, rapid technological iteration could trigger large-scale technological unemployment, leading to structural employment shocks.

Mr. Gurry emphasized that we must face these challenges squarely. While vigorously promoting the development of artificial intelligence, we must also take proactive measures to ensure the equitable sharing of technological achievements, prevent the digital divide from widening further, and ensure that artificial intelligence truly becomes a common asset benefiting all humanity, rather than the privilege of a select few.

The 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit held its main forum, "Distinguished Contributors Gala". Photo by Bastille Post

At the Gala, internationally renowned innovation and technology leaders shared their forward-looking insights on artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and cross-regional cooperation.