ZTE's Vision: Harnessing AI for Sustainable Development Goals at AI for Good Summit

Harnessing AI for Sustainable Development

At the recent AI for Good Global Summit 2025 held in Geneva, ZTE Corporation's Chief Development Officer (CDO) Cui Li delivered a compelling presentation on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through her session titled "Accelerating Progress Towards SDGs with AI-powered New Paradigm", she outlined the innovative strategies ZTE is deploying in the realm of efficient and environmentally friendly AI.

Cui pointed out that the latest wave of AI, powered significantly by large language models, is sweeping across the globe at an unprecedented pace. This rapid advancement, however, comes with increasing computational demands and energy consumption, thus creating a pressing need for sustainability in AI development. According to Cui, defining a clear and efficient pathway toward sustainable AI has become a critical industry imperative.

The Dual Perspectives on AI

During her presentation, Cui Li discussed AI from two key perspectives: "Energy for AI" and "AI for Energy". In delving into the first perspective, she described the industry's current predicament of facing a "reverse triangle dilemma", where efficiency is paramount to resolving the issue. To address this, ZTE is focusing on three core strategies:
1. Developing Efficient Infrastructure: Building a robust infrastructure is the foundational step for any sustainable technology.
2. Enabling Efficient Intelligence Enhancement: This focuses on refining the capabilities of AI systems to operate in an environmentally responsible manner.
3. Accelerating Impact through Efficiency: Ensuring that the operational enhancements lead to tangible benefits for companies and society at large.

Through these strategical approaches, ZTE aims to promote both efficient and green AI development.

Commitment to Integrating AI and ICT

Shifting to the second perspective, "AI for Energy", Cui emphasized that ZTE has embedded AI technologies deeply into their Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions. By integrating AI capabilities into a wide array of services—including industry, household, and consumer scenarios—the company is setting a foundation for intelligent complete solutions that drive operational improvements and a transition towards a low-carbon economy.

Special emphasis was placed on ZTE's core strategy, "AI for All", which encapsulates their mission to democratize AI access and ensure its benefits reach all sectors of society. This strategy highlights a strong commitment to sustainability across various applications, enhancing cost efficiencies while accelerating a transition to a carbon-neutral future.

Industry-Defining Initiatives

The initiatives presented by Cui Li not only highlight ZTE’s role as a leading telecommunications provider but also demonstrate the company’s proactive stance on corporate social responsibility (CSR). By investing over ten percent of their annual revenue in R&D, ZTE positions itself at the forefront of innovation in the ICT sector. Moreover, it is an active participant in various international standard development organizations.

ZTE is listed on the Hong Kong and Shenzhen stock exchanges, and it provides user-optimized products and services to over 500 network operators across more than 160 countries. This international footprint underscores the significant role ZTE plays in expanding AI accessibility and promoting responsible technology adoption worldwide.

In conclusion, as businesses and institutions grapple with the implications of rapid AI advancements, ZTE's strategic emphasis on sustainable practices offers a clear roadmap to harnessing AI for the greater good. As companies look toward incorporating more sustainable practices, ZTE exemplifies how efficient and green AI can catalyze global progress toward enduring development goals.