The World Internet Conference (WIC) today inaugurated its Mentor Insights Connection (WIC·MIC) event, a new series designed to provide a platform for leaders across industries to share insights, drive innovation and facilitate the exchange of ideas. The first event, themed "Culture and Digitalization," featured a keynote address from Zhang Zhiqing, an expert in the preservation of ancient texts and digital culture.

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In his speech, Zhang expounded on how digital tools are transforming the preservation and accessibility of cultural resources, highlighting the success of the Chinese Ancient Books Resource Database, which has digitalized over 100,000 ancient works. These digitalized collections are available to scholars and the public worldwide. 

"In a digital world, culture transcends borders and invites new forms of engagement," Zhang said, emphasizing the transformative potential of digitalization for cultural preservation.

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Following Zhang's address, attendees from various industries asked questions on the digitalization of ancient books and cultural preservation.

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During the Q&A session, Zhang elaborated on how digital technology, particularly artificial intelligence, reduces costs and improves efficiency in preserving ancient books and cultural heritage. He highlighted that these advancements are transforming traditional preservation methods, driving more effective cultural heritage transmission. Zhang’s insights sparked lively discussions on the broader implications of digital culture.

Zhang emphasized that the advancement of digital culture is an ongoing endeavor that demands collective commitment from all sector, though substantial progress has been made in the preservation and protection of cultural resources. He encouraged internet companies, entrepreneurs, and academic institutions to leverage their resources and called for collaboration to ensure greater innovation and more effective preservation of culture and ancient texts.

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Zhang's speech set the stage for future discussions in the WIC·MIC series, which will continue to examine the intersection of technology, culture and innovation.

"The series is expected to play a critical role in fostering meaningful collaboration on emerging trends and challenges in the digital age," the event's host stated.

In the near term, the WIC·MIC series will continue to focus on culture and digitalization before expanding its scope to a broader range of topics, including emerging technologies and public welfare.

The series is positioned to drive thought leadership and encourage collaboration across various industries, establishing itself as a vital platform for innovation and forward-thinking discussions in the evolving digital landscape.

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