Rogier Creemers – China’s Information Society: Creating a Network Power

Over the past few years, China has embarked on a policy of informatization, which seeks to introduce ITs into all aspects of social and economic life. Ambitious plans on the use of big data, blockchain, artificial intelligence promise a better future and continued development for the Chinese nation. Moreover, China is increasingly playing a global role as a technology leader. These efforts are often met with criticism or even fear in the Western world, yet to what extent is this warranted? This keynote will address how China’s leadership sees the world and the role of technology in it, how the ambition of plans has met with reality thus far, and what can be learned from China’s digital drive.