Chongqing - Amid the global shift toward digitalization, data security, and cybersecurity have become critical pillars for building a robust digital economy, gaining increasing importance as key drivers of its growth and stability.

On September 10, the Chongqing Cybersecurity Week was launched in Jiangbei District of Chongqing. The week focuses on key areas of cybersecurity prevention and aims to enhance public awareness and protection capabilities.

Xu Zhiyuan, Deputy Chief Engineer of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), highlighted during the event that intelligence and computing power are key drivers of the future internet. 

As AI breakthroughs continue, advances in algorithms and computing power will become new quality productive forces, while high-quality data remains the essential resource of the information age.

Xu Zhiyuan, Deputy Chief Engineer of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT). (Photo/Chen Yuting)

Xu described the future internet as a collaborative system involving the "cloud-network-edge" model. In this system, the cloud offers processing power and storage, the network (mainly 5G) enables fast and secure data transmission, while edge devices like smartphones and IoT gadgets directly interact with users.

This transformation will not only redefine how we interact in the virtual world but also place greater demands on physical-world connectivity. 

The integration of cloud-based AI technologies and large-scale computing models is driving the growth of industrial hubs and high-speed networks while evolving network technologies are adapting to meet the communication needs fueled by AI advancements.

Xu stated that intelligence is undoubtedly the core driving force of the future internet, and artificial intelligence will play a crucial role in bridging the virtual and physical worlds.

This trend is evident in the latest smartphone releases from tech giants like Huawei and Apple, who are pushing the boundaries of AI-driven phones and triple-fold screens. 

With AI smartphones now incorporating large models, they are moving from concept to real-world applications, enhancing user experiences and driving the growth of the entire industry ecosystem.

Enhancing cybersecurity in the age of intelligent technology

Despite fluctuations in the metaverse's progress, new devices and AI technologies are expected to fuel rapid growth in immersive experiences. Companies like Apple are boosting user experiences through innovations like ultra-high-definition technology, which greatly enhances visual effects.

Xu predicted that the cost of producing metaverse content will drop dramatically in the future, especially in areas like 3D immersive content and education. However, he also warned that the rapid growth of the metaverse will bring about risks related to privacy, virtual assets, and societal culture, increasing regulatory challenges.

He added that China is now the first nation where the number of IoT devices surpasses mobile phone users. As 5G and related technologies evolve, IoT will enhance sensing capabilities and expand into a spatial network, extending connectivity from the lower atmosphere to deep space.

A notable example occurred in November 2023, when NASA's Psyche mission successfully achieved deep-space laser communication, marking a significant milestone in space communication technology.

In terms of green development, Xu pointed out that the future of the internet must find a balance between computing power and energy consumption. The development of AI, particularly large models, presents significant energy challenges. 

ChatGPT’s energy consumption already far exceeds that of traditional search engines, with image generation tasks consuming 200 times the energy of text processing. Optimizing the synergy between computing power and energy will be critical to the sustainable development of the future internet.

However, as intelligence becomes more widespread, cybersecurity risks are also intensifying, particularly with the new security challenges posed by large AI models. 

Xu emphasized that future security will not be limited to traditional cybersecurity but will extend to the realm of "Big Security," encompassing aspects of safety, resilience, trustworthiness, and privacy.

This comprehensive security framework will form the foundation for future digital transformation and propel the advancement of global security technologies. International bodies like the International Telecommunication Union and the European Union have already integrated trustworthiness into their security standards.