By Paul Rasmussen
Information shapes society, says China Mobile Chairman
The rapid adoption of digital transformation has revealed new opportunities for the global ICT industry to significantly contribute to social and economic development around the world, said Yang Jie, Chairman of China Mobile.
Presenting at a keynote session at MWC23 Barcelona, the China Mobile exec reflected that; throughout history, access to information had been a key factor in shaping society. “Society is now ushering in a new era characterised by the integrated development of information and energy systems.”
“As information is now integrated into the process of energy conversion and usage, the fusion of ‘watts x bits’ has been triggered,” Yang said. “This is inspiring the ICT industry to broaden our horizons and explore how we can contribute more to add value to society.”
The integration of next-generation IT into all aspects of our economic and social development will drive profound changes in production methods and enable new ways of living and organising societies, according to Yang. “This creates a new type of information services system, which we refer to within China Mobile as Connectivity, Computing Force, Capability. It cuts across technology and application innovation to open up new and startling opportunities.”
However, Yang warns that this dramatic shift will require the ICT players to revamp their conventional business models to anticipating and creating demand for information services in areas like manufacturing, governments and people’s daily life.
“Multi-industry cooperation and joint innovation will be required, along with the cultivation of new industries and business models that leverage Industry 4.0, the metaverse and smart cities.”