The 2023 World IoT Top 500 Summit convened in Beijing on Monday. Under the theme "Lead the New Economy: Fully Interconnected and Digital," the summit featured an opening ceremony, high-level forums, and multilateral cooperation forums, and unveiled the 2023 World IoT Top 500 list.
The 2023 World IoT Top 500 Summit was held in Beijing on July 3. [Photo by Wang Yiming/China.org.cn]
In his keynote speech, He Xuming, chairman of the World Internet of Things Convention (WIOTC), underscored the influence of pioneering technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) on worldwide economic and social advancement. He noted that the construction of IoT, coupled with innovative progress in the digital economy, has introduced a beacon of hope through frontier high-tech technologies like quantum computing, big data visualization, artificial intelligence, quantum and photon transmission, 6G communication infrastructure networks, and new energy.
He also applauded China's position as a leading innovator in this field, stating that China has set a commendable example in innovation and development. He mentioned that China is expected to erect over 3 million 5G base stations to bolster IoT construction this year. According to him, the industrialization of the digital economy has become a primary focus for both the government and enterprises.
Syed Amin Ul Haque, federal minister of information technology and telecommunications of Pakistan, accentuated the transformative potential of IoT across various sectors. He observed, "The IoT is rapidly changing the world, from agriculture and smart cities to logistics, manufacturing, engineering, and healthcare. It has the potential to make our homes smarter, our cities more efficient, our governance more fruitful, and our businesses more productive."
The minister also spotlighted the colossal market size of IoT, stating, "According to industry forecasts, the IoT market size is anticipated to exceed $3 trillion by 2050."
Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Office in Beijing, remarked, "The theme of this summit aligns with UNESCO's mission to understand and implement digital transformation for the building of sustainable societies."
He acknowledged the power of IoT in bridging the digital divide and fostering inclusive and sustainable societies. Emphasizing the opportunities and challenges of the digital age, Khan called for responsible advancement. He stated, "As we navigate through this landscape, let us ensure that we do so in a manner that promotes inclusivity, respects human rights, and contributes to sustainable development."
The summit also marked the launch of the 2023 World IoT Ranking List Top 500. This year, the list underwent creative modifications, introducing categories such as the Gold List, Silver List, Industry List (spanning sectors including agriculture, transportation, intelligent logistics, artificial intelligence, health, and elderly care), Bronze List, and Potential List.
The rankings spotlighted the prowess and innovative potential of leading enterprises in the IoT digital economy sector. Industry titans like Microsoft, Huawei, IBM, China Telecom, Bosch, and Nokia retained their top positions in the rankings.
The World IoT Ranking List Top 500 has been published annually for six years. According to the WIOTC, the aim of this list is to inspire companies to enhance their contributions to intelligent production, lifestyle, and work environments globally. These companies are expected to spearhead the journey toward innovative social development and bridge the digital divide.
