Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in the 14th China International Digital Publishing Expo, held from September 20 to 22 in Haikou, Hainan Province. Previously known as the China Digital Publishing Expo, this event now seeks greater international participation.

The expo attracted a wide range of publishers and thinkers with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), not because it was an exclusively AI-focused exhibition, but because China has so enthusiastically and determinedly embraced this technology.

Themed Innovation for Quality Improvement: Empowering Industries to Win the Future With Digitization, the expo provided a comprehensive overview of the digital publishing industry through exhibitions, keynote and specialized forums, and interactive activities.

Following the theme, this year's discussions focused on topics such as technological empowerment, innovation in the sector, online literature creation, and data resource development. The event covered the entire production chain, from digital product creation to operation and distribution, including e-books, audiobooks and online literature. It also featured a space dedicated to international exhibitors and introduced initiatives like the China Digital Publishing Forum and the Creative Digital Publishing Workshop.

Although I had heard a lot about AI advancements around the world, I had never before been so impressed by the technological capabilities, the clarity in explaining how it works and the practical implementation I witnessed at the expo.

Wang Qing, Chairman of the Central China Publishing and Media Investment Holding Group, emphasized the importance of innovation: "Just like in the global phenomenon of the Black Myth: Wukong game, where the monkey Wukong is the great chosen hero, we must act like the chosen ones in the areas of innovation in publishing."

He cautioned that reading books is no longer the primary source of information, and interest in physical books has declined. "We risk falling behind if we do not adapt to new technologies," Wang said.

Books will always be a source of knowledge for society, but digital publishing brings a richer and more dynamic narrative. This approach can attract many into the world of knowledge.

Despite legitimate concerns about copyright, the adoption and implementation of AI are receiving much more energy than I have previously observed. During the event, I explored Chinese AI models that are rarely discussed outside the country. China is rapidly discovering ways to use AI to transform its industries.

One application that impressed me is Xuexi.cn. It offers an interactive selection of classics from literature to science, from the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius to Austrian father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud, delivered by avatars of the scholars. Qiu Lingbo, a university student from Haikou who attended the expo, highlighted how effective this application is in capturing the attention of elementary and high school students. "I am impressed with the achievements of China in AI and as a university student I hope China can keep climbing higher in this field," she said.

I enjoyed every moment of the expo, especially having the opportunity to "see China in action" and to understand the current focus of thought. This experience provided me with a new perspective on the future of publishing. I believe we all need to step out of our comfort zones, and experiencing innovations in this way is an effective way to do so.

The author is an editorial consultant for China Hoje, a Portuguese digital quarterly magazine 

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson 

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