With the rise of the scientific, technological and industrial revolution, some major fields are on the verge of a breakthrough. Many emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robots, internet of Things, self-driving cars, blockchain, and biotechnology are leading society into a new era. In this age full of opportunities and challenges, innovative leaders have turned visionary ideas into subversive reality again and again, and collaboration has made it possible for science and technology to advance.
Wang Jian
Chairman of Alibaba Group Technical Committee, Founder of Alibaba Cloud, Founder of Yunqi Township and Xuelang Town, Honorary Mayor, and Founder of Hangzhou Yunqi Science and Technology Innovation Foundation.
In September 2009, Wang Jian established Alibaba Cloud Computing and became its president. Three years later, he was named CTO of Alibaba Group. In April 2016, the City Brain initiative was proposed in Yunqi Township and construction began in Hangzhou. Since then, City Brain has become, like the city’s power grid and transportation facilities, the new infrastructure of the city of the future.
Prior to joining Alibaba Group, Wang Jian was an executive deputy director of Microsoft Asia Research Institute. He was a psychology professor, doctoral supervisor and dean at Zhejiang University. In 2014, he was awarded the title “China’s Top Ten National Technology Innovation Figures” by CCTV.
Strongest brain for our future cities
July 2nd 9:35 – 10:00
Chairman of Alibaba Group Technical Committee and Founder of Alibaba Cloud, Dr. Wang Jian is often called the “cheater” who fooled Jack Ma and the prophet of tech trends. Dr. Wang built Alibaba Cloud single-handedly. In the past few years, he has dedicated all his time and energy into crafting City Brain. He has a clear vision for it and believes that it belongs to the future city and is built to be the key foundation for all of humanity.
“Chinese are buying sweet potatoes with their phones while Americans are paying their water bills with checks. You could imagine how much confidence Chinese has for building internet infrastructure, and how abundant data is available in the city,” Dr. Wang said. The goal for City Brain is to help a city think strategically with the help of data resources, analyzing real-time information of the whole city, and deploying public resources, ultimately making data the most important resource for city governance.
Since City Brain has been installed in downtown Hangzhou in October 2016, the City Brain project led by Alibaba has continued to advance in Zhejiang Province. The City Brain project symbolizes China’s exploration of the world. China’s city development is encountering unprecedented challenges, and innovation is key. At TechCrunch Hangzhou’s main stage, Dr. Wang Jian will speak about “Strongest Brain for Future City, using innovation and bravery to lift the veil of City Brain.”
David Aikman
Executive Director of the World Economic Forum and Chief Representative of Greater China
David Aikman holds more than 18 years of experience in global high-scale business development, financing, sponsorship, marketing and brand management. He has held a number of leadership positions since joining the Forum in 2003. Since July 2013, he has been a Managing Director of the World Economic Forum and the Head of the New Champion communities, which includes the Young Global Leaders, Global Shapers, Social Entrepreneurs, Technology Pioneers and Global Growth Companies. He has also been Head of Partnerships, responsible for the Forum’s highest-level relationships with corporate partners, and Head of the Professional Services Industry, comprised of law firms, accounting firms, management consultancies and executive search firms.
China innovation in the world’s perspective
July 2nd 10:00 – 10:25
Following the newest tech and industrial revolutions, and seeking development with high quality and innovation, China is moving forward from a follower to a leader in some particular industries. From “made in China” to “created by China,” Chinese startups companies have been expanding and innovating at a speed that amazes the whole world. From the first smart shared bike to the fastest high-speed train in operation, to the most convenient mobile payment system, to the biggest B2B e-commerce platform, China’s newest four great inventions are moving the world forward in the digital arena.
Longquan Temple Master Xianxin
Founder of Longquan Temple Information Center and IT Zen Meditation Camp, current Director of the Hongzuan Department of Longquan Temple
A graduate of the Computer Science Department of Beijing University of Technology, Master Xianxin is a veteran programmer. He is proficient in Linux and Mongodb. He also worked at China National Human Geography before leaving home. In 2009, he became the founder of the Longquan Temple IT group in the Longquan Temple in Beijing. This has allowed the monastery to develop various projects, such as the construction of infrastructure, the publishing of books and CD ROMs, charitable contributions to the public, the development of a traditional culture website, the education of lay Buddhists, the translation of Buddhist works, the creation of manga and anime, and the digitization of the monastery’s information networks. Master Xianxin actively participates in exchanges with China’s IT elites, many of whom became volunteers at Longquan Temple. Master Xianxin is therefore known as the “Longquan Temple Geek” in the Chinese internet community.
Dharma, Technology, Innovation, and Originality
July 3rd 13:25 – 13:55
Dharma comes with the beginning of birth, where endless creativity rests. You can create anything you need once you are awake. Master Xianxin believes tech innovation will only stay conscious if it aims to search for truth in the universe and bring longlasting peace and happiness to the humanity. In other words, Dharma and technology are complimenting each other.
Longquan Monastery is often called the strongest monastery for technology research and the ultimate seclusion for geeks. It has gathered and fostered strong talents in many tech fields. Longquan Monastery doesn’t follow the crowd nor hide its shine from the world. It refuses to be commercialized but also embraces new internet innovations, perfectly combining Dharma with AI, robotics and many high-tech topics. As we know, Longquan Monastery has a Weibo KOL abbot, Master Xuecheng, a highly-educated sangha that can rival a professional tech research group, an IT and anime team that’s dedicated in promoting Buddhism, as well as a volunteer group with significant amount of supporters that help the digital presence of Longquan Monastery beyond its walls.
At TechCrunch Hangzhou, Master Xianxin will speak about Dharma, technology, innovation, and originality. The new innovative power of Dharma and technology will undoubtedly present China’s image and spirit in a more creative way.