Technology will be ‘driving force’ of Macau’s evolution from gambling spot to innovation hub, chief executive says
- Alibaba’s Joe Tsai cites generative AI technology as a factor that could help Macau to diversify beyond gaming into entertainment and innovation
- Leaders including Guangdong’s governor, commentator Andrew Sheng cite collaboration as crucial at event focusing on city’s future
The development of technology, including generative artificial intelligence (AI), can help Macau to diversify from its traditional focus on gaming into a hub for entertainment and innovation, industry and government leaders have said at a Macau convention.
The remarks came on Wednesday during Beyond Expo, billed as Asia’s largest annual expo for tech innovation trends, held in Macau.
“Macau is well positioned to be an innovation hub given its international free port, its politically neutral stance [and its] preferential business and foreign-trade environment,” said Ho.
The city is holding international conferences, exhibitions and culture-related exhibitions as part of the long-term diversification plans.
Meanwhile, the government is striving to improve its tech infrastructure and become an attractive place for investors and top talent, Ho said, adding that the city is a bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
“We are excited to see that Macau government is intent to move away from just a single industry of gaming into the world of entertainment, content, healthcare, sustainability and consumption,” he said.
Applications for AI are endless, he said, adding that it can be applied to digital entertainment, promotion and sports, he said.
Technologies like generative AI not only demonstrate how content can be created faster, but it has the ability to bring different cultures together, he said.
Tsai emphasised that the future of such innovation will be dependent on more connections between people. “We need more people-to-people interaction on the scientific, cultural and entertainment front,” he said.
“Technology is a solution,” said Sheng. “Those who do not understand the technology will be pushed further and further behind. And that’s the biggest challenge that we now face is how to educate the masses – not for the elites, but for the masses.”
“We see that the world is changing and Asia is growing, but at the same time how do we use our own wisdom into new technology to face the new world?” Sheng said.