Harnessing Sci-tech Cooperation for Civilizational Exchanges
As artificial intelligence (AI) grows more capable—from conducting research to composing poetry—its integration with human life presents both opportunities and challenges. The key question is how to ensure sustainable development of human civilization in this evolving landscape. A recent sub-forum titled "Inter-Civilization Exchanges and Mutual Learning: Innovative Development of Science and Technology" was held during the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting in Beijing. Experts agreed that cooperation and exchange are essential to bridging digital and intelligence divides, overcoming conflicts, and sharing the benefits of scientific and technological innovation.
Championing Cooperation and Inclusiveness
Science and technology act as vital connectors for exchanging ideas across civilizations, while culture provides ethical guidance during technological progress. Malaysia’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chang Lih Kang, highlighted the Global Civilization Initiative as a timely response to global challenges and a practical example of fostering a community with a shared future for humanity. Malaysia aims to deepen cooperation with China in AI and cultural heritage preservation, emphasizing the importance of people-to-people exchanges.
Historical examples such as the Silk Road illustrate how scientific knowledge—from astronomical calendars to mathematical algorithms—has long linked civilizations. Today, initiatives like the Belt and Road promote joint archaeology projects and digital infrastructure collaboration, further narrowing gaps between societies.
Lord Vaea, chair of the Committee on Tongan Traditions, emphasized dialogue as a tool to resolve differences, referencing a local proverb about extending the mat for family conversations. The forum offered a platform to explore how to reduce development gaps in the AI era and promote shared progress.
Liu He, academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, pointed out that technology drives civilizational progress, yet civilization must guide technology’s ethical use. Global challenges like energy shortages demand collective action. He advocated for cooperation that respects differences, builds consensus through dialogue, and creates an open, inclusive ecosystem to ensure scientific achievements benefit everyone.
Path to Harmonious Coexistence
With AI development at a crossroads, participants stressed the importance of using sci-tech cooperation as a bridge to deepen inter-civilization exchanges. According to Jiao Nianzhi, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, science serves as a universal language and an effective tool for international collaboration. Large-scale scientific projects not only advance knowledge but also open windows for cultural dialogue. Facing global threats like climate change, cooperation remains the only viable solution.
Javier García-Martínez, former president of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, noted that AI now plays a central role in cutting-edge research. Addressing ethical concerns around fairness and inclusiveness requires collective wisdom to guide AI toward sustainable development and civilizational advancement.
Navinchandra B. Vasoya, executive council member of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, emphasized that scientists and engineers craft the next chapters of civilization. This shared journey demands empathy, mutual learning, and collaboration that respect multiple worldviews rather than impose dominance. The insights gained from such dialogues offer valuable guidance for exchanging knowledge across human civilizations.
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