The World Artificial Intelligence Integration and Development Conference opens in Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province, on Nov 19. [Photo/jinannews.com]

The World Artificial Intelligence Integration and Development Conference opened in Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province, on Nov 19.

The conference gathered AI experts from around the world and representatives from colleges, institutions and companies to share their experienceand explore the world's latest AI technologies.

With a main forum, seven sub-forums, an exposition and a project-docking conference, the event aims to become an international platform for technological exchange, industrial integration and cooperation and bolster Shandong's development.

Ling Wen, deputy governor of Shandong, Sun Shutao, mayor of Jinan, and Sun Bin, deputy mayor of Jinan, attended the opening ceremony.

Ling delivered a welcoming speech and described the achievements Shandong has made in boosting the AI industry.

Shandong enjoys a strong foundation and complete industrial system for the integrated development of AI and traditional industries.

The province has cultivated a group of 150 pilot demonstration projects with a total investment of 27.58 billion yuan. The projects are the first of their kind in China and focus on the integration of modern industrial clusters and AI technologies.

Sun Shutao delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony for the World Artificial Intelligence Integration and Development Conference. [Photo/jinannews.com]

The Shandong Province Artificial Intelligence Industry Development Report was released at the opening ceremony. The report interprets the state of Shandong's AI industry and its future outlook.

Jinan-Qingdao Innovation and Application of Artificial Intelligence Pilot Area was also unveiled.

Sun pointed out that AI technology is playing a bigger role in fueling the city's development as Jinan strives to develop itself into a modern and international metropolitan center.

As the political, economic, cultural, and financial center of Shandong province, the city has strong advantages when it comes to developing the AI industry.

The city has cultivated a batch of innovation service platforms to provide strong support for basic research, collaborative innovation and the commercialization of achievements in the AI industry.

Jinan is expected to become an AI innovation and application demonstration city in the near future.