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Keynote. A Broader View on AI: How Does China (Discretely) Lead the World

Wednesday November 18, 2026 10:20 - 10:40 CET CARDO BRUSSELS, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION

Pascal Coppens' new book, just out, China's Next Miracle explores China’s shift from a manufacturing giant to an innovation powerhouse, with AI serving as the primary catalyst for this "new miracle." Unlike the Western focus on general intelligence, Coppens emphasizes China’s pragmatic integration of AI into vertical sectors like healthcare and industrial automation to solve concrete societal challenges. He highlights a strategic move toward "directed autonomy," where AI-driven humanoid robotics and biotech are prioritized to secure long-term global leadership