On August 16, the 2nd Common Prosperity Summit Forum on Artificial Intelligence and Common Prosperity kicked off in the lecture hall of the Yuntang Campus Library at Changsha University of Science and Technology (CSUST). It was hosted by CSUST and the Hunan Economics Society, co-organized by the School of Economics and Management and the Common Prosperity Research Institute of CSUST, and the Center for International Cooperation and Disciplinary Innovation of Income Distribution and Public Finance (111 Center) at the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (ZUEL), and supported by the Business School of Xiangtan University. Experts and scholars from institutions, such as the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Central University of Finance and Economics, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (ZUEL), Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Hunan University, Hunan Academy of Social Sciences, CSUST, Hunan University of Technology and Business, Hunan University of Finance and Economics, and Changsha University, gathered to engage in an in-depth discussion on the theme of the forum.
At the opening ceremony, Yang Hongming, Vice President of CSUST, delivered a speech on behalf of CSUST. She pointed out that against the backdrop of the flourishing development of the digital economy, exploring the deep integration of artificial intelligence and common prosperity is a crucial subject in response to China's major strategic needs, aligning with the mission of the times, and addressing the imbalances and inadequacies in social development.
Speech by Yang Hongming, Vice President of CSUST
The keynote speech session of the forum was presided over by Professor Liu Jianmin, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of CSUST. Various experts delivered their keynote speeches successively, including Professor Gao Peiyong, Member and former Vice President of the CASS; Professor Ma Haitao, President of Central University of Finance and Economics; Professor Yang Canming, former President of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law and Director of the 111 Center under the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People's Republic of China; Professor Wang Qiao, former Party Secretary of Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics; Professor Zhong Xiaomin, former President of Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics; Professor Fu Runmin, former President of Yunnan University of Finance and Economics; Professor Liu Changgeng, former President of Hunan University of Finance and Economics; Researcher Li Hui, Director of the Institute of Economics at the Hunan Academy of Social Sciences; and Professor Chen Yin'e, President of the Common Prosperity Research Institute of CSUST.
Professor Liu Jianmin, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of CSUST, presided over the keynote speech session.
Keynote Speeches
Professor Gao Peiyong focused on the topic "Difficult Choices in the Development of the Distribution System" for an in-depth analysis of the crucial role of the distribution system in advancing common prosperity. He emphasized that artificial intelligence is a "double-edged sword," and its healthy development must achieve balance through the improvement of the distribution system. In the next step, attention should be given to strengthening the redistribution function of the current distribution system and broadening the scope and targets of the redistribution adjustment mechanism. He stated that common prosperity can only be achieved by starting with the improvement of the distribution system, further deepening reforms on all fronts to standardize the income distribution and wealth accumulation mechanisms, and enhancing the patterns of income distribution and wealth accumulation.
Keynote speech by Professor Gao Peiyong, Member and former Vice President of the CASS
Professor Ma Haitao delivered a keynote speech titled "Collaboratively Advancing Artificial Intelligence Governance and Jointly Writing a New Chapter of Common Prosperity." He believed that artificial intelligence is reshaping our modes of production and lifestyle with unprecedented depth and breadth, providing new opportunities to advance common prosperity. However, the development of artificial intelligence in China still faces issues such as the digital divide, prominent structural contradictions in human capital, and an inadequate regulatory system for technological advancement. In light of this, we must prioritize the construction of smart infrastructure as the foundation to bridge the digital divide, enhance the digital literacy of the entire population, refine talent cultivation, adhere to the principle of common prosperity, and uphold people-first values as the fundamental stance for the development of artificial intelligence.
Keynote speech by Professor Ma Haitao, President of Central University of Finance and Economics
Professor Yang Canming delivered a speech themed on "Technological Revolution and Common Prosperity," elaborating on the dialectical relationship between technological revolution and common prosperity. He pointed out that there may be certain inherent contradictions between technological transformation and common prosperity. The technological revolution has brought numerous benefits to society, but while driving social progress, it may also widen the gap between rich and poor, lead to the displacement of certain workers, and thus intensify the Matthew Effect. We need to shift from the perspective of productivity to that of production relations and establish an autonomous knowledge system. Guided by humanistic logic, we shall fully leverage the alignment between the technological revolution and China's socialist system, promote the cultivation of new quality productive forces, and achieve the goal of common prosperity.
Keynote speech by Professor Yang Canming, former President of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law and Director of the 111 Center
Professor Wang Qiao delivered a keynote speech titled "Reflections on Fiscal Disciplines Aligning with National Strategic Needs." He emphasized that, focusing on the key themes of a new era, such as common prosperity and risk prevention, the field of fiscal disciplines must proactively align with national strategies and undergo reforms in the following five areas. Efforts shall be made to highlight the foundational role of national governance and enhance the strategic development of fiscal disciplines; adopt a broad perspective on fiscal policies befitting a major nation to advance the internationalization of fiscal disciplines; underscore the importance of fiscal functions in promoting people's livelihoods and strengthen the people-centric orientation of fiscal disciplines; establish an independent theoretical framework unique to China to expedite the localization of fiscal disciplines; and solidify the foundation of discipline construction to highlight the distinctive strengths of fiscal disciplines.
Keynote speech by Professor Wang Qiao, former Party Secretary of Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics
Professor Zhong Xiaomin delivered a keynote speech titled "Considering the Path to Achieving Common Prosperity from the Perspective of Economic and Social Development." He emphasized that common prosperity is an essential requirement of socialism. Artificial intelligence, with its unprecedented development speed, has profoundly impacted industries and triggered the singularity, becoming a new engine for driving high-quality development and a new variable influencing high-level security. However, following the development of artificial intelligence and its large-scale replacement of labor, the traditional distribution system based on labor participation will be fundamentally disrupted. Therefore, it is crucial to leverage the respective roles of efficient markets and effective government. The market should play a decisive role in resource allocation to expand overall wealth, while the government must ensure the fair distribution of this wealth.
Keynote speech by Professor Zhong Xiaomin, former President of Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics
Professor Fu Runmin delivered a keynote speech titled "Equalization of Basic Public Services and Fiscal Reform under the Goal of Common Prosperity: An Analysis Based on Broad National Income." By constructing a theoretical framework for broad national income analysis, he incorporated basic public services into the national income distribution system. The equalization of basic public services currently faces multiple issues, such as being disconnected from the adjustment of national income distribution, mismatched authority and expenditure responsibilities, and biased behaviors of local governments. A sound national income distribution system must recognize the regulatory role of equivalent income from basic public services. Ultimately, the broad measure of national income disparity should be determined jointly by actual monetary income and equivalent income from basic public services.
Keynote speech by Professor Fu Runmin, former President of Yunnan University of Finance and Economics
Professor Liu Changgeng delivered a keynote speech titled "Research on the Indicator System and Measurement of Common Prosperity in China". He argued that sustainability is an essential requirement for common prosperity, while inclusive institutions represent the pathway to achieving it. Therefore, an indicator system for common prosperity was constructed based on four dimensions: wealth, sharing, sustainability, and inclusiveness. Based on household survey data, he analyzed the issues related to common prosperity in rural areas from the perspectives of income distribution, consumption disparity, and expenditure structure. He further posited that high-quality development is a precondition for achieving common prosperity, primary distribution serves as the foundation, redistribution is an indispensable component, and systemic and institutional reforms are crucial to realizing common prosperity.
Keynote speech by Professor Liu Changgeng, former President of Hunan University of Finance and Economics
Mr. Li Hui delivered a speech titled "From Poverty Alleviation to Common Prosperity: Hunan's Exploration in Achieving Common Prosperity in Underdeveloped Regions." Grounded in Hunan's realities, he explored a path to common prosperity with distinct Hunan characteristics. He asserted that different regions begin their journey towards common prosperity from varying starting points and under different conditions, and thus, the strategies adopted and developmental paths chosen should logically differ accordingly. From the perspective of actual conditions, Hunan faces four greater challenges in promoting common prosperity; from the basic characteristics, Hunan's advancement of common prosperity reflects four differences; from the practical path, Hunan promotes common prosperity by exploring a development route of solidifying the base, expanding the middle class, strengthening counties, and sharing benefits, in line with its own reality.
Keynote speech by Researcher Li Hui, Director of the Institute of Economics at the Hunan Academy of Social Sciences
Professor Chen Yin'e delivered an in-depth analysis of how digital inclusive finance can contribute to common prosperity under the title "The Internal Logic and Implementation Path of Digital Inclusive Finance Empowering Common Prosperity." She believed that the essential requirements of common prosperity in the new era align with the goals of digital inclusive finance. Digital inclusive finance can address financial exclusion, promote equitable distribution of financial resources, and facilitate the transformation of financial equity into common prosperity. Furthermore, she proposed a path to achieve common prosperity through the empowerment of digital inclusive finance. It requires establishing a fairness-oriented financial governance system at the institutional level; deepening the inclusiveness of digital finance at the technological level; enhancing financial literacy and promoting inclusive growth at the societal participation level; and aligning with major national policies at the strategic coordination level.
Keynote speech by Professor Chen Yin'e, President of the Common Prosperity Research Institute of CSUST
At this critical juncture, when the rapid development of artificial intelligence is profoundly reshaping the economy and society, the convening of the 2nd Common Prosperity Summit Forum holds significant importance. Experts in attendance conducted in-depth discussions on the immense potential of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, in narrowing the wealth gap, optimizing income distribution, and enhancing the effectiveness of public services. Their contributions provide robust theoretical grounding, practical experience, and policy insights for exploring a path to common prosperity that aligns with China's national conditions, offering crucial intellectual support toward achieving more substantive progress in common prosperity for all citizens.