By Hasan Muhammad

Editor's Note: The writer is a freelance columnist on international affairs based in Karachi, Pakistan. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of China Economic Net.

The World Smart Industry Expo 2025 opened in Chongqing on September 5. The four-day event, co-hosted by Chongqing and Tianjin, is focused on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into industrial development. It is a bold declaration of intent in an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is not just a tool but a transformative force reshaping global economies, societies, and power dynamics.

One cannot help but draw parallels with historical turning points. Just as the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century propelled Western empires to dominance, often at the expense of colonized peripheries, today's smart industry revolution risks entrenching new divides.

Yet, Chongqing's expo offers a counter-narrative: one of inclusive progress, where technology serves humanity rather than subjugating it. Over 600 domestic and foreign firms are showcasing more than 3,000 innovative products, from intelligent connected new energy vehicles (NEVs) to low-altitude economy solutions like electric vertical take-off-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Robot dogs patrol exhibition halls, fire-fighting drones hover overhead, and AI-powered sensing systems promise safer, more efficient urban lives. These aren't futuristic fantasies; they are tangible realities debuting here, with over 100 new industry standards, products, and technologies unveiled.

The expo's focus on "AI+" - integrating artificial intelligence across sectors - echoes China's strategic pivot toward self-reliance amid global tech frictions. Recall the U.S.-led restrictions on semiconductor exports, ostensibly for national security but effectively a bid to stifle competitors. In contrast, China's approach is collaborative. The event draws participants from across the globe, highlighting how AI can bridge gaps rather than widen them. For instance, the low-altitude economy zone features agricultural drones and smart logistics, tools that could revolutionize farming in developing nations, boosting yields and reducing poverty without the environmental toll of traditional mechanization.

Consider the broader geopolitical canvas. As Western media fixates on AI's dystopian potentials - job losses, surveillance states - China's expo spotlights its emancipatory promise. Intelligent connected NEVs, a cornerstone of the event, exemplify this. With China leading global EV production, these vehicles aren't just eco-friendly; they're smart ecosystems integrating AI for autonomous driving, energy efficiency, and urban mobility. Amid climate crises, where fossil fuel dependencies have fueled endless wars in the Middle East, such innovations offer a path to sustainability. Yet, they also challenge the petrodollar hegemony, prompting backlash from entrenched interests. The expo's unveiling of open-source software for NEVs, aimed at cutting costs and boosting efficiency, underscores China's commitment to democratizing technology.

The West, once the vanguard of industrialization, now grapples with deindustrialization and inequality, while China surges ahead. This isn't schadenfreude but a reminder of imperialism's boomerang effect. Today, it's China opening doors to the world through initiatives like the Belt and Road, where smart infrastructure - think AI-optimized railways and ports knits continents together. Chongqing, a BRI hub, embodies this: its expo isn't isolated but part of a continuum linking Asia, Africa, and beyond.

The expo's competitions and ecological conferences delve into AI ethics, standards for data security, and inclusive innovation - topics often sidelined in Western tech summits dominated by Big Tech lobbyists.

Elsewhere, AI fuels drone warfare in proxy battles. This contrast highlights China's vision: technology as a force for peace and prosperity. The expo's 1,125-square-meter pavilion from Liangping District showcases low-altitude innovations and integrated circuits, areas where China is narrowing gaps with global leaders.

Where the West hoards knowledge, China shares it, recognizing that true progress is collective. As rivers merge in Chongqing, so too must nations converge on AI's promise. The alternative - fragmented, adversarial innovation - risks a digital cold war. Let this expo be a beacon, illuminating a smarter, fairer world for all.