China News Service, Hangzhou, September 14 (Linbo Sun Linru) "Hangzhou's digital innovation and management practices have always been at the forefront of the country, and the construction of a digital ethics governance system is very important, because it is related to the harmonious coexistence between people, people and nature, and people and society. Handling the authenticity and scientific nature of digital generation, digital applications, and digital sharing requires multiple discussions and governance by enterprises and scholars." Chen Yao, executive director of the China Management Modernization Research Association and chairman of the Management Thought and Business Ethics Professional Committee, said in an interview.

From September 12th to 14th, the 7th (2025) Academic Annual Meeting of the Management Thought and Business Ethics Professional Committee of the China Management Modernization Research Association was held at the Pingfeng Campus of Zhejiang University of Technology. With the theme of "Artificial Intelligence, Green Innovation and Responsible Management", this annual conference brings together more than 200 experts and scholars from universities and scientific research institutes across the country to discuss management changes and ethical practices in the context of artificial intelligence.

September 13th, event site. (Photo courtesy of Zhejiang University of Technology)

Since the beginning of this year, Hangzhou’s “Six Little Dragons” have been making waves and have continued to make breakthroughs in the fields of artificial intelligence, large models, and robots, attracting global attention and becoming a vivid epitome of the innovative development of Zhejiang’s private economy.

However, in the context of technological iterations advancing rapidly, digital ethics issues have also attracted widespread social attention. Technology is like a double-edged sword. While it brings convenience and welfare, it also lurks many risks and challenges.

Wu Bao, dean of the School of Management of Zhejiang University of Technology, said in an interview: "Hangzhou's 'Six Little Dragons' have taken advantage of the trend, and we have paid early attention to digital ethics issues in the process of corporate digitalization. Therefore, the topics such as artificial intelligence and digital ethics discussed in this conference are very consistent with Zhejiang's scientific and technological atmosphere."

Under the wave of AI, how to improve the digital ethics governance system?

"The most important thing is for large and medium-sized enterprises to collaborate in green transformation." In Wu Bao's view, Zhejiang's current economic structure is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises. Zhejiang merchants have always had the "Four Thousand Spirit". Zhejiang enterprises have made outstanding achievements in entrepreneurship, innovation and responsible management. Enterprises, regardless of their size, have shown their due responsibilities and collaborated to carry out green transformation. If these small and medium-sized enterprises are allowed to bear the burden of transformation alone, they will undoubtedly face many difficulties and struggle.

Especially empowered by cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, technological development is no longer a stage for individual efforts, but a battlefield for collaborative advancement and deep integration of industrial chains, which contains powerful technological empowerment.

Data show that as of the end of 2024, the total number of registered private enterprises in Zhejiang reached 3.5053 million, accounting for 92.06% of the total number of business entities.

Wu Bao said bluntly that digital ethics management is by no means a matter of one party, but requires the establishment of a governance structure in which multiple parties collaborate and jointly manage. He took this event as an example. Industry experts and scholars visited a number of Hangzhou technology companies to conduct research and gain an in-depth understanding of the application of artificial intelligence in enterprise management and the practical results of green innovation, providing live case support for subsequent research.

As an important source of scientific and technological innovation and a key base for talent training, universities shoulder unshirkable responsibilities and missions in the construction of digital ethics.

Chen Yao, member of the Party Committee and Vice President of Zhejiang University of Technology, believes that looking to the future, with the accelerated evolution of artificial intelligence and the deepening of green and low-carbon transformation, research on management thinking and business ethics is ushering in new opportunities. "On the one hand, we need to condense explanatory, transferable, and implementable management theories and ethical principles in the Chinese context; on the other hand, we must open up channels between academic discoveries, policy supply, and corporate governance in front-line industry and local practice, and explore sustainable, operable, and promoteable Chinese solutions."

It is worth noting that Zhejiang is actively exploring ways to realize digital ethical governance. Some companies have begun to set up ethics committees to conduct algorithm compliance reviews; universities and scientific research institutions are accelerating the construction and subject layout of digital ethics courses... A multi-party collaborative governance network is gradually forming.

Looking at the current situation, Zhejiang continues to lead the country in digital economic development, and the artificial intelligence industry ecology is becoming increasingly perfect. How to strike a balance between innovation vitality and ethical governance not only tests the self-discipline of enterprises, but also tests the government's smart governance capabilities. (over)