Over the past 50 years, technology has lifted millions of people out of poverty and opened new doors in education, health and opportunity. But the next chapter is more complicated: it is shaped by climate pressures, inequality, population aging and rapid digital transformation.
AI is progressing even faster. Used responsibly, it could spark a wave of breakthroughs in society. Used poorly, it could widen the gaps we want to fill. This dynamic was at the heart of the Sustainable Social Value Innovation Summit (S Summit) which was held in Beijing on December 3, 2025.
With 1,400 participants gathered onsite and millions more online, the Summit brought together leaders from business and academia to focus on a simple but pressing question:
How can we seek solutions together and ensure that AI becomes a force for sustainable development?
AI for good starts with shared values
The main forum set a thoughtful and forward-looking tone.
Professor Yang Bin of Tsinghua University suggested that in the AI era, career reskilling is a key point for enterprises to create social value. By using technology to bridge the gap between those facing skills obsolescence, businesses can turn anxiety into opportunity for the workforce. Dan Xi, Senior Vice President of Tencent, highlighted how AI, when guided by human-centered values, can create practical solutions for a better world.
Dan Xi, Senior Vice President of Tencent, shares his views at the main forum.
Two other perspectives that reflect both ambition and humility:
- Turing Award winner Professor Andrew Chi-Chih Yao highlighted how AI for Good is opening new pathways to sustainability, while accelerating scientific discoveries.
- Professor Xue Lan shared the frameworks needed to ensure that intelligent systems enhance trust, fairness and human dignity.
Caitlyn Chen, Tencent Vice President and Head of Sustainable Social Value, leads a panel discussion with leaders from academia and business.
Throughout the discussions, three themes anchored the conversations:
- AI with purpose: Technology must meet real human needs – improving access, reducing barriers, and supporting care.
- Responsible innovation: trust arises from transparency, governance and ethics.
- Ecosystem Collaboration: Systemic problems require systemic partnerships; no institution can solve them alone.
This sentiment was widely echoed by François Bonnici, director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship: “No single organization can solve the challenges we face today in society and the economy. We need cross-sector collaboration for social innovation.”
From vision to action: discussion forums
The workshops brought the Summit theme – In Search of Solutions – to life through real-world, human-centered examples.
AI for good in practice
Innovators showcased technologies that are already improving lives today, from AI-powered prosthetics that improve mobility to new mental health tools expanding access to care.
A remarkable story came from Tong Chong of State Grid in Suzhou. His team developed a dynamic lightning prevention system using AI prediction and high-precision detection. What started as a local innovation has grown into a collaboration across 20 countries – a reminder that solutions spread when knowledge is shared.
AI Research and Youth Engagement
Researchers explored generative technical intelligence, digital life, and governance frameworks necessary for the co-evolution of humans and AI.
Meanwhile, young innovators have taken center stage as a force to bridge the digital divide and lead the way into the future. They presented solutions grounded in community care, culture, climate and social services – all developed with a sense of urgency and purpose.
A powerful idea emerged: young people are not only future beneficiaries of AI, they are shaping the direction of AI and sustainable development today.
Social innovation Ecosystem & Impact investingPanelists discussed how strong ecosystems – spanning capital, policy, technology and trust – enable sustainable growth. They insisted on moving from isolated pilot projects to shared systems, in which companies open up their capabilities while public goods and cross-sector alliances transport innovations across borders.
The impact investing session highlighted the rapid growth of the Asian market, highlighting how AI-driven approaches can reshape investment strategies to balance social impact and financial sustainability.
Experiences that made innovation human
Beyond the forums, the summit venue has transformed into a living gallery of applied innovation. Visitors entered AI-assisted therapy rooms, interacted with robot companions, explored holographic health tools, and enjoyed cultural heritage experiences in virtual reality.
At the CarbonXmade showcase, attendees can see everyday products made from captured CO₂ that bring climate innovation to life.
Visitors take part in practical demonstrations at the S Summit stand.
A shared mission: seeking solutions, together
If there was one message that resonated throughout the Summit, it was this: the world’s greatest challenges are shared, and so are the solutions.
S Summit 2025 reaffirmed the importance of global partnerships, open ecosystems and human-centered AI. This underlined the idea that progress is not automatic: it must be built intentionally, collaboratively and with a long-term vision.
The work continues in 2026 and beyond through pilot projects, joint research and impact investments. With responsible, inclusive, human-centered AI – and the courage to pursue solutions together – we can extend this progress toward a more equitable and sustainable future.