Big data expo in China's Guizhou charts new pathways to data value in AI era

The 2026 China International Big Data Industry Expo, held in the mountainous province of Guizhou, has spotlighted the transformative value of data in the AI era, exploring new pathways to unlock digital dividends for people worldwide.

Running from Friday to Sunday in the provincial capital Guiyang, the event drew 372 domestic and international companies and over 16,000 registered guests.

Speaking at the event, Yang Zhen, vice chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), emphasized the need for broad consensus to drive the digital economy forward.

"Standing at the critical juncture of the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), we should forge broad consensus among all parties, embrace the trends of digital-driven and internet-based smart growth, and steadily advance digital development, ensuring that the dividends of data bring greater benefits to people worldwide," said Yang.

As AI rapidly reshapes the global economy, data has evolved from a mere resource into a primary driver of innovation and a source of new economic value. Unlocking this value, however, requires robust foundational support.

Ren Jingyang, senior vice president of tech company Sugo, highlighted China's distinct advantages in this arena.

"In terms of infrastructure, China has resource advantages and fast‑growing hardware systems," said Ren.

Capitalizing on its unique geological conditions, Guizhou has vigorously cultivated its big data industry.

Official data showed that the province's digital and smart industry has reached a scale of nearly 300 billion yuan (about 44.6 billion U.S. dollars), underpinned by 50 key data centers currently in operation or under construction.

The number of data annotation enterprises in Guizhou has surged to over 120, supporting a workforce of more than 12,000. Guizhou has also pioneered over 100 large-model application scenarios across 24 key industrial sectors, pushing the deep integration of digital and intelligent technologies with the real economy.

Yet, data does not stop at borders, and neither should cooperation. To foster global collaboration, this year's expo features a dedicated international data exchange zone and matchmaking sessions to connect global data suppliers with users.

"It is important that shared standards, green digital transformation and turning Chinese national experience into global public goods, and that's why the theme of this year's big data expo resonates very well. And I hope that the outcomes and the output of the engagements across the expo can filter into the current UN and international dialog," said Muhammadou M.O. Kah, vice chair of the UN Data Governance Working Group.

Big data expo in China's Guizhou charts new pathways to data value in AI era

Europe is staring down another winter energy crunch as gas reserves are on track to hit their lowest level in 13 years, fueling "winter panic" across energy markets, The Guardian reported on Saturday.

According to the UK newspaper, the European Union (EU)’s gas storage sat at just 63 percent in the final week of August, far below the seasonal average of roughly 80 percent recorded in recent years. At the current rate of consumption and refilling, the bloc is projected to enter the winter heating season with reserves at their lowest since 2013, experts were quoted as saying.

The report attributed the shortfall to multiple converging pressures. Ongoing military conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran has disrupted energy exports from the Gulf region, making it increasingly difficult for the EU to achieve its gas storage target of 80 percent full by the start of winter. At the same time, a bitterly cold end to last winter and scorching heatwaves across Europe this summer have driven up natural gas demand for electricity generation, accelerating the depletion of already dwindling stockpiles, it said.

'Winter panic' looms over Europe as gas reserves heads for 13-year low: UK newspaper